In This Issue

• Ontario Agriculture Week, October 7 - 13, 2024
• Virtual Food & Farm Field Trips
• Tickets on sale for Ontario's Harvest Gala, November 28, 2024
• Breakfast on the Farm at Hillmanor Holsteins
• Recognizing the nominees for the King Charles III Coronation Medal from Senator Black
• FFCO at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, November 1-10, 2024
• Upcoming webinar: Putting your best foot forward
• ICYMI: FFCO hosts Food Industry Professionals and Culinary School tours
• FarmFood360 Educators' Guide now available
• Call for Breakfast on the Farm hosts
• Resources and lending library
• Nominate a Food & Farming Champion
• FFCO welcomes new Communications and Marketing Assistant: Mitchell Wood
• Member accolades
• Breakfast on the Farm guest feedback

Ontario Agriculture Week 2024

From October 7 - 13, 2024, join Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO) in celebrating Ontario Agriculture Week and highlight the incredible array of fresh, locally-grown, high-quality food and products that our province has to offer.

Ontario Agriculture Week is an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the bounty of food produced by our farmers, the dedicated individuals employed in the industry, and the vibrant rural communities that benefit from agriculture.

Show your support for Ontario’s food sector by using the hashtag #ONTAgWeek and #LoveONFood across your social media platforms. Be sure to check out and use the graphics from FFCO's Ontario Agriculture Week social media library to amplify your message and celebrate the amazing contributions of our local farmers.

Virtual Food & Farm Field Trips



To celebrate Ontario Agriculture Week, FFCO, in partnership with AgScape, is hosting four Virtual Food & Farm field trips. These interactive experiences will allow students to visit Ontario farms right from their classrooms. Four times during the week at 10 a.m. EST, students will embark on a new virtual tour featuring a different type of farm. They’ll have the chance to ask farmers questions in real time and learn about the unique aspects of Ontario agriculture.

Schedule of Virtual Field Trips:

Monday, October 7: Apple Orchard

Tuesday, October 8: Dairy Cow Farm

Thursday, October 10: Market Garden

Friday, October 11: Dairy Goat Farm



If you or someone you know would like to take part in a Virtual Food & Farm Field Trip, registration is available at AgScape.ca. The tours will also be streamed live on FFCO's Facebook and YouTube channels.

Throughout the week, FFCO will be sharing posts about Ontario agriculture on our social media platforms. Show your support for Ontario Agriculture by sharing our posts or using the hashtags #ONTAgWeek and #LoveONFood!

Tickets on sale for Ontario's Harvest Gala

Tickets are already 2/3 sold out for FFCO's annual Harvest Gala planned for November 28, 2024, in Guelph. The evening will celebrate the harvest and excellence across all sectors of Ontario agriculture.

The annual Farm & Food Care Ontario Harvest Gala brings individuals from all areas of agriculture together in one room to celebrate shared successes.

The night will include:

• Cocktail reception & hors d’oeuvres
• Buffet dinner featuring Ontario’s finest foods
• Program featuring the presentation of the annual Paul Mistele Memorial Award

FFCO is still accepting partners for this event, including general event sponsors, cocktail hour hosts and dinner hosts. This year's theme, Boots & Bows invites guests to dress in their favourite boots and most stylish bows or bow ties to celebrate the harvest season.

Dublin was alive with the sights and sounds of agriculture as 2,500 guests attended the third and final Breakfast of the Farm event held on September 14 near Dublin. With attendance this high, this was one of the biggest BOTF events ever organized in Ontario. The support of more than 50 commodity and industry groups added to the showcase of the rich diversity of Ontario’s agricultural community.

Attendees enjoyed perfect September weather, allowing them to immerse themselves in a variety of activities. Highlights included barn tours led by dedicated dairy farmers, a large display of farm equipment, and engaging safety demonstrations from local authorities.

Families explored a livestock area featuring everything from water buffalo to pigs, navigated a fun straw maze, and enjoyed live music while savouring an all-Ontario breakfast. Guests even witnessed a live harvest demonstration as the Louwagies' farm team worked to harvest corn silage.

FFCO extends heartfelt thanks to all our partners, volunteers, local farmers, and especially to Frank, Heather Louwagie and their family for their exceptional hospitality at this memorable event.

You can use this link to see a full list of event partners: https://www.farmfoodcareon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Breakfast-on-the-Farm-Dublin-Partners.pdf

Recognizing the nominees for the King Charles III Coronation Medal from Senator Black

Congratulations to all the recently announced nominees of the King Charles III Coronation Medal from the The Honourable Rob Black, Senator for Ontario. The Coronation Medal, a Canadian honour, commemorates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as King of Canada. To be an eligible candidate, one must have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region, or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

Below is a list of Black’s nominees including the category of nomination:

Mr. Vincent Brennan – Stirling ON (Agriculture, Education/Public Awareness)

Ms. Meredith Gilbert Brophy – Osgoode, ON (Agriculture, Education, Youth Development)

Ms. Evelyn Chambers – Lindsay, ON (Agriculture, Community Service, Youth Development)

Ms. Kelly Ann Daynard – Guelph, ON (Agriculture, Education/Public Awareness)

Ms. Christine Dukelow – Beaverton, ON (Agriculture, Youth Development, Education)

Mr. Russell Gordon Gammon – Fergus, ON (Agriculture, Education, History)

Ms. Susan Lorraine Harrop – Fergus, ON (Agriculture, Arts/Culture, Education)

Ms. Janet M. Horner – Mulmur, ON (Agriculture, Community Service)

Ms. Cathy Lennon – Rockwood, ON (Agriculture, Community Service)

Mr. Donald Wilbert Lobb – Rockwood, ON (Agriculture, Conservation, Education)

Mr. Tim May – Rockwood, ON (Agriculture, Education/Public Awareness)

Mr. Hugh Maynard – Ormstown, QC (Agriculture, Community Service, Youth Development/Support)

Ms. Lillie Ann Morris – Rockwood, ON (Agriculture, Conservation, Education)

Ms. Patricia Jane Muegge – Clinton, ON (Agriculture, Education, Public Service)

Ms. Christine Oldfield – Guelph, ON (Agriculture, Community Service, Youth Development/Support)

Ms. Hazel Robinson – Charlottetown, PE (Agriculture, Community Service, Heritage/History)

Sergeant Gregory A. Trainor, CD – Kingston, ON (Canadian Forces)

Mr. Gary West – Shakespeare, ON (Agriculture, Community Service)

Ms. Wendy Whittaker – Rockwood, ON (Agriculture)

Mr. Scott Wilson – Orangeville, ON (Public Service)

FFCO at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Get ready to celebrate 102 years of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (RAWF) with FFCO from November 1 to 10, 2024.

Join FFCO in the Education Zone. Dive into FarmFood360 Virtual Tours, featuring two new series on egg farming and sheep farming. Explore the incredible world of agriculture and discover all the amazing things these farms have to offer.

Come join the fun in booth 4009 in Hall B.

Upcoming webinar: Putting your best foot forward

In case you missed it: FFCO hosts food industry and culinary school tours

Fall farm tours are in full swing this September and October. Each tour is crafted to guide guests on an informative journey from the farm to the fork. 

Ottawa Food Industry Professionals Tour

On Thursday, September 19, 35 guests boarded a bus in Ottawa for the first food professional tour in the nation's capital since 2019. Local beef and grain farmer Julie Dawson co-hosted the tour providing commentary from a local perspective.

Speakers on the bus included Caitlin Leishman from CropLife Canada, Stefan Larrass and Ben Murray from OFVGA discussing the seasonal agricultural worker program and MTAMW campaign, Brianne Curtis from Grain Farmers of Ontario, Victoria Buma from Ontario Berry Growers, and Eduardo Velez from The Neighbourhood Organization which supports seasonal workers.

The tour featured:

• McGregor’s Produce in Braeside: Farmers Jim and Ann, Ian and Deb McGregor and their team of 11 seasonal workers from Jamaica hosted, giving a tour of their the fruit, vegetable and grain farm.
• Ottawa Valley Grain Products: Kevin and Jennifer Stewart guided the group through their fourth-generation facility, sharing insights into barley milling.

Centennial College Culinary Tour

Also on Thursday, September 19, 38 culinary and baking students from Centennial College explored three farms in the Durham region. The day kicked off at Denise and Jeff Byers' farm in Blackstock, where students learned about Limousin cattle and direct marketing beef. Dan Ferguson from Beef Farmers of Ontario was also in attendance, providing insights into the beef sector.

Next, at White Feather Farms, Joel Schillings hosted the group, showcasing his on-farm egg grading station and leading a barn tour to observe the laying hens. Joel’s passion and knowledge enriched the students’ experience.

A special thank you to the Ontario Apple Growers for their support which enabled students to tour Algoma Orchards, Canada’s largest apple grower. Accompanied by Kelle Neufeld from Ontario Apple Growers, students explored the vast orchards and processing facilities, gaining a comprehensive understanding of apple cultivation in Ontario.

Niagara College Culinary Tour

On Friday, September 27, a group of Culinary Innovation and Food Technology students from Niagara College had an enriching experience visiting three farms in the Niagara region. The day began at Freeman Herbs, the largest fresh herb grower in Canada and one of the top five in North America. Students saw more than one hundred varieties of herbs and learned about the farm's commitment to quality and service in the herb industry.

A special thank you to the Grain Farmers of Ontario for its support as students got to visit AA Crop Company, where they gained valuable insights into the multifaceted operations of the farm, which focuses on farming, seed sales, and crop consulting. Aaron McQueen grows corn, soybeans, and wheat, and raises sheep, while also offering essential services such as crop consulting and environmental impact advisement, supporting local farmers in managing over 30,000 acres annually. Rachel Telford from Grain Farmers of Ontario was also in attendance, providing great commentary on the bus between tour stops.

The final stop was Greenview Holsteins, a fourth-generation dairy farm. The Yungblut family showcased their state-of-the-art dairy barn, where they milk 65-70 Holsteins using robotic systems. Thanks to the Yungblut family for opening up their doors for the students.

These tours provided invaluable hands-on experiences for participants, reinforcing the connection between agriculture and the culinary world.

FFCO’s farm tour program relies heavily on the trust and support of the farmers who graciously open their farms to these guests. Their hospitality and willingness to share their knowledge and experiences are what make these tours so impactful.

Ottawa food industry professionals tour guests at McGregor's Produce in Braeside.

Centennial College Culinary students listening to Joel Schillings as he grades and packs the eggs.

Left: Niagara College Culinary Innovation and Technology students at AA Crop Company with Aaron McQueen.

FarmFood360 Educators' Guides now available

FFCO, in partnership with Agriculture in the Classroom Canada, is pleased to announce the release of two new e-learning modules to accompany virtual reality experiences launched in 2023.

• Berry Tour: Explore an Ontario berry farm and learn from a fifth-generation farm family.
• Dairy Tour: Visit a Canadian dairy farm with a voluntary milking system which enables the cows to decide when they want to be milked.

These virtual reality tours allow Canadians to explore real working farms from the comfort of their own homes or classrooms. The accompanying e-learning modules augment student experiences by testing their knowledge using interactive quizzes at the end of each tour.

Both tours are in English and French and are linked through FarmFood360.ca or listed as FarmFood360° in the Classroom resources in the AITCC Resource Library.

Check out the tours at the buttons below.

Call for Breakfast on the Farm hosts

Are you interested in participating in one of Ontario's largest agricultural outreach events? Consider hosting a Breakfast on the Farm in 2025!

FFCO is seeking host farms and agricultural societies across various regions of Ontario. Our team will take the lead, collaborating with you and a local volunteer committee to ensure a successful event.

Want to learn more? Contact our office to discuss your farm or society and the responsibilities of a host. You can call 519-837-1326, extension 221, or email events@farmfoodcare.org with any questions. Applications can be downloaded and submitted to Farm & Food Care.

Applications will be accepted until January 30, 2025.

Resources and lending library

Do you have an event coming up this fall? FFCO has ambassador resources for those promoting agricultural awareness through events, fairs, etc.

Information sheets cover topics ranging from educational livestock displays to making sure important messages are displayed.

A library of lendable or custom resources is available for FFCO members at a supporter level or above. These include farm fact signs, speech bubbles, ag education signage, FarmFood360 kiosk and access to FarmFood360 videos.

Nominate a Food & Farming Champion

FFCO is now accepting nominations for its annual Champion Award. This award recognizes individuals, organizations, or businesses that have actively engaged consumers about agriculture in our province. Nominees should have demonstrated their ability to inform the public or correct misconceptions about agricultural practices, while effectively promoting our industry.

Please submit your nominations by March 7, 2025. If you know someone deserving of this recognition, we encourage you to review the nomination form.

Pictured here is 2024 Food & Farming Champion Award winner Henry Swierenga.

FFCO welcomes new Communications and Marketing Assistant: Mitchell Wood

Mitchell is enrolled in the Marketing Management program at the University of Guelph with a minor in Business Data Analytics and is completing a four month co-op placement with FFCO. Though he does not have a background in agriculture, he is interested in learning more about a new industry and applying his existing knowledge in a new setting. His passion for the work of non-profits will help in connecting people to their food.

Member accolade:

Veal Farmers of Ontario (VFO) announces winner of Ontario's Best Veal Sandwich 2024

Congratulations to Kingsville’s Mettawas Station Italian Mediterranean Grill on clinching the coveted title of Ontario's Best Veal Sandwich 2024. This year’s competition was more intense than ever, with over 200 Mystery Judges deployed across the province. These undercover foodies were tasked with sampling veal sandwiches from more than 80 participating restaurants.

Breakfast on the Farm guest feedback

"Thank you for your many hours of extra work to prepare for this wonderful event that helps to open the eyes of a society that sometimes fail to recognize the most important career that there is-FARMING.

Wonderful Day! Well organized. Clean, good parking, lots of washrooms, friendly and knowledgeable volunteers, good food, coffee, ice cream, displays, combine demos and barn tour."

Dublin breakfast guest

Become a Member

Did you know?

• You, your farm or your business can become a member of FFCO
• Your support in membership makes FFCO's work possible
• Corporate members ($1800+) can access free training and workshops

Not a member yet? Learn why others have joined FFCO.