In This Issue

• Happy New Year from FFCO
• Grain corn, apple, and field tomato virtual reality tours added to FarmFood360.ca
• The 2026 Farm & Food Care Men's and Women's Curling Ontario Championships
• Brunch & Brooms event in Elmira, January 10, 2026
• Save the Date: FFCO's annual meeting and speakers' conference, April 9, 2026
• Registration open for agricultural media training
• ICYMI: Strickland's Automart food bank fundraiser
• Call for Breakfast on the Farm hosts
• FFCO speaker services
• Nominate a Food & Farming Champion
• Call for FFCO Board of Directors nominations
• 2026 Census of Agriculture
• Meetings with MP Dominique O'Rourke and MPP Mike Schreiner
• Member accolades
• FFCO welcomes new members
• Culinary student tour testimonial

Happy New Year from FFCO

Wishing you a happy and hopeful New Year from the Board of Directors and team at Farm & Food Care Ontario.



We hope you and your family enjoyed a restful holiday season. As we look ahead to the year before us, we’re grateful for your continued support and excited about the opportunities to come. May the year ahead bring good health, meaningful moments, and continued success.

New grain corn, apple, and field tomato virtual reality tours added to FarmFood360.ca

FarmFood360 has expanded its lineup with three new Virtual Reality tours, filmed in 2025 on Ontario grain corn, apple orchard, and field tomato farms. With more than one million visitors each year, FarmFood360 continues to offer Canadians an engaging way to experience how food is grown and harvested across the province.

These additions build on a diverse collection of 29 immersive farm and food processing tours, each designed to strengthen understanding and trust in modern agriculture.

The projects were developed in partnership with Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO), Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), Ontario Apple Growers (OAG), Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers (OPVG), Conagra Brands.

Funding for the tours came, in part, from the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC), and AAFC’s AgriCompetitiveness Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a collaborative federal, provincial, and territorial initiative. 

Thank you goes to videographer Nelson Dunk and the team at Skylight Productions, and project managers Andrew Campbell and Steph Towers of Fresh Air Media for their creativity and expertise in bringing these stories to life.

The 2026 Farm & Food Care Men's and Women's Curling Ontario Championships

FFCO is reaching new audiences with its title sponsorship of the 2026 Men’s and Women’s Curling Ontario Championships. In partnership with Curling Ontario, FFCO is bringing together two great Canadian traditions: sport and agriculture.



The Championships will be held in Elmira from January 4 to 11, 2026, at the Woolwich Memorial Centre.

Funding for this opportunity was made possible through the support of dozens of incredible partners. Through this event, FFCO will engage with more than 10,000 attendees, including a broadcast television audience to share resources and put food and farming front and centre throughout the Championships. Additional funds generated through this program will also contribute to the significant fundraising needed for the seventh edition of The Real Dirt on Farming magazine in 2026, including new digital components geared toward a new generation of readers.



Join us at the 2026 Farm & Food Care Men’s and Women’s Curling Ontario Championships and support FFCO’s work. Members and friends of FFCO receive 30% off any day pass or playoff day pass using code FFCO-30. Tickets are now on sale.

Brunch & Brooms event in Elmira

As part of the excitement surrounding the 2026 Men’s and Women’s Curling Ontario Championship, Farm & Food Care Ontario is hosting Brunch & Brooms — a unique, family-friendly event that brings together great food, farming, and curling.

Join us at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, at the Elmira Lions Club. Guests will enjoy a plated, all-Ontario breakfast followed by interactive experiences that connect you with the people and stories behind your food.

During the event, attendees can meet curling pros and special guests from the Championships, chat with Ontario farmers and food producers, and explore agriculture up close through FarmFood360 virtual reality tours.

What’s on the menu:

Pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and home fries.

Tickets:

Adults: $20 | Children: $10

Whether you’re a curling fan or simply love great local food, Brunch & Brooms is a fun way to spend your Saturday morning.

Save the date: FFCO's annual meeting and speakers' conference

FFCO's annual general meeting and speakers' program will be held at the Grandway Events Centre in Elora on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

The day begins with an annual business meeting, open exclusively to members, followed by a full program of presentations, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities that highlight innovation and insights in Ontario agriculture.

More details on speakers and registration will be announced in late January.

Call for Breakfast on the Farm hosts

Curious about hosting one of Ontario’s largest agricultural outreach events?

Why not consider Breakfast on the Farm in 2026.

This is a unique opportunity to share your farm and the story of Ontario agriculture with the public.

Farm & Food Care Ontario is seeking host farms and agricultural societies across the province. Our team will manage all logistics and provide hands-on support at every stage, working closely with you and a local volunteer committee to deliver a fun, engaging, and memorable event.

Want to learn more? Reach out to the FFCO office to explore the role of a host and discuss your farm or organization. Call 519-837-1326, ext. 221, or email events@farmfoodcare.org. Applications are available for download and can be submitted directly to FFCO.



Applications close January 30, 2026.

Registration open for agricultural media training

Sharpen your media skills with Farm & Food Care Ontario

Farm & Food Care Ontario is hosting two full-day agricultural media training sessions in Guelph this spring: Tuesday, March 17 or Thursday, March 26, 2026.

This hands-on workshop is designed specifically for Ontario agriculture by experienced Ontario agriculture communication specialists. Using real-world scenarios from participants’ own agricultural sectors, you’ll learn practical strategies for effective media and public communication. The day includes two realistic interview simulations, giving you the confidence and tools to handle interviews, public speaking, and other engagement opportunities—from crafting your key messages to mastering interview techniques.

Cost: $500 per person (FFCO member rate) | $600 per person (non-member)

Includes coffee breaks, lunch, and workshop materials.

This training is ideal for board members and staff of farm organizations and agribusinesses, as well as primary producers who engage with the public through farm tours, municipal council meetings, or other events.

To register, email info@farmfoodcare.org and indicate which date you would prefer.

In case you missed it: Strickland's Automart food bank fundraiser

On December 6, approximately 40 local farmers came together in support of a food bank fundraiser at Strickland’s Automart/Stratford Toyota. The event featured booths from Beef Farmers of Ontario, Egg Farmers of Ontario, Gray Ridge Egg Farms, and the Huron Perth Dairy Cares Committee. The fundraiser raised $6,000 and collected 448 pounds of food for the Huron Food Distribution Centre.

Farmers helped serve apple cider generously donated by Aaron Martin, handed out cookies, collected donations, and even brought tractors for display out front. Adding to the festive spirit, Santa Claus—a member of FFCO—made a special appearance.

FFCO speaker services

Tailored training and speaker services from Farm & Food Care Ontario

Farm & Food Care Ontario provides organizations with valuable opportunities for staff training and development through specialized programs and speaker services tailored to the unique needs of the agri-food industry.

Featured training:

• Agriculture Media Training: Media training gives participants a basic understanding of both urban and agricultural media as well as how to develop key messages and pose and answer questions. Advanced media training goes a step further and participants enroll in a full day session that includes two facilitators and a videographer.
• Social Media Sessions: Discover the dos and don’ts of online engagement and how to effectively advocate for agriculture.
• Boothmanship Training: Ensure your trade show presence is impactful with strategies for effective branding and engagement.
• Ag 101: A must for anyone looking to understand the basics of Ontario agriculture and engage confidently with clients.

Interested in booking a session or learning more? Discounted rates are available for all FFCO members. Please contact us at info@farmfoodcare.org

Nominate a Food & Farming Champion

Nominations are now open for FFCO's annual Champion Award. This prestigious award celebrates individuals, organizations, or businesses that go above and beyond to connect consumers with agriculture, share accurate information, and help the public better understand how food is grown and produced in our province.

Do you know someone who’s making a real impact in promoting Ontario agriculture? Submit your nomination by March 6, 2026 and help us recognize their outstanding contributions. Check out the nomination form and share the story of a true agri-food champion.

Pictured here is 2025 Food & Farming Champion Award winner Bruce Christie.

Call for FFCO Board of Director nominations

FFCO is accepting nominations for six (6) Director positions: two Crop/Horticulture, two Livestock, and two At-Large (general farm organization and agribusiness members). Crop/horticulture and livestock seats are designated for producer-based organizations.

Who can nominate/be nominated: Platinum, Gold, and Silver FFCO members in good standing.

Nomination limit: one nomination per voting member.

Timeline:

·        Nominee packages available: January 2026

·        Nominee packages due: March 20, 2026

Elections will take place at the April 9, 2026 AGM at the GrandWay Event Centre (prior to the annual conference)

Interested in being nominated? Contact kelly@farmfoodcare.org for more information on the role.

Meetings with MP Dominique O'Rourke and MPP Mike Schreiner

FFCO board members and Executive Director met with Guelph MP Dominique O’Rourke to share an overview of FFCO’s mandate and activities. As a new MP, she expressed strong interest in learning more about agricultural organizations in her riding.

A meeting was also held with MPP Mike Schreiner to provide an update on FFCO’s work. MPP Schreiner continues to be a strong advocate for FFCO’s efforts. Thank you to both for the invitations to visit them at their constituency offices.

Meeting with MP O'Rourke (L-R): Kelly Daynard, Executive Director, FFCO, MP Dominique O'Rourke, Janelle Cardiff, Chair, FFCO, and John Taylor, Treasurer, FFCO.

Meeting with MPP Schreiner (L-R): John Taylor, Treasurer, FFCO, MPP Mike Schreiner, and Kelly Daynard, Executive Director, FFCO.

2026 Census of Agriculture—in support of a strong agriculture sector in Canada

The 2026 Census of Agriculture begins in early May 2026. Farm operators will receive a letter with easy-to-follow instructions and a secure access code to complete the questionnaire online.

Completing the questionnaire is quick and easy. In May 2026, farm operators can:

• visit Statistics Canada’s website (www.census.gc.ca),select the online questionnaire.
• and use the secure access code received in the mail.

Conducted since 1921, the Census of Agriculture provides the only community-level agriculture data in Canada. This information is used by farm businesses, farm organizations, and key decision-makers to act in the interest of farm operators, farming communities, and agricultural associations across the country.

Farm organizations rely on census data to develop policy recommendations, inform communications and outreach efforts, and conduct market research. Policy advisors from all levels of government use Census of Agriculture data to build strong farm support programs, assess the impacts of external events on the agricultural sector, and provide timely, effective assistance during natural disasters such as floods, droughts, storms, and wildfires.

Participation is mandatory under the Statistics Act, and all information provided is confidential and used for statistical purposes only. The questionnaire may be completed by anyone responsible for, or knowledgeable about, the day-to-day management of the farm’s operations.

What’s new for 2026: The questionnaire has been streamlined to make it faster and easier to complete, with fewer questions thanks to the use of high-quality alternative data sources.

Member accolades

Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA) achieves major milestone

The OFVGA's Fresh from the Farm school fundraising program has sold more than five million pounds of Ontario-grown root vegetables and apples since 2013, raising $2.6 million to support school initiatives across the province. Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, said, “Fresh from the Farm brings students closer to the people who grow their food. It puts fresh, nutritious, Ontario-grown produce on family tables and encourages everyone to choose local.”

Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) donate $10,000 to Guelph Food Bank

CFO is supporting the Guelph community this holiday season with a $10,000 donation to the Guelph Food Bank. This builds on the 660 kg of chicken donated in 2025, which helped provide 6,000 meals through the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks Program, along with volunteer time and food donations from CFO staff.

FFCO welcomes new members

FFCO is pleased to welcome the following new member(s):

Silver members

• Caldwell Securities
• Nova Mutual Insurance Company

Thank you for your membership and support as we continue to educate and bring awareness of food and farming to consumers in Ontario and across Canada.

Breakfast on the Farm guest testimonial

"My whole family LOVED this event and it was so well organized. I truly appreciate each one's willingness to share their passions and livelihood with our community and abroad. And I so appreciate the work they do so that I can buy food for my family to eat. Especially locally."

BOTF Norfolk guest

Renew your membership for 2026

It’s time to renew your Farm & Food Care Ontario membership for 2026. Individual and Supporter level members are invited to visit the link below to renew and continue supporting the important work of FFCO.

Your membership helps grow public trust and shared understanding of agriculture in Ontario, ensuring strong, informed connections between farmers and the public.