In This Issue

• FFCO's annual meeting and speakers' conference, April 10, 2025
• FFCO board member nominations open
• Last chance to nominate a Food & Farming Champion
• Save the Date: Breakfast on the Farm - Innerkip, June 14, 2025
• Virtual Food & Farm Field Trip: March 3, 2025
• FFCO at Ottawa Valley Farm Show: March 11-13, 2025
• FarmFood360 at College Royal Open House, March 15 & 16, 2025
• The Real Dirt on Farming exclusive case sale
• Member accolades
• Silver member testimonial: Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative

FFCO's Annual Conference and Speakers' Program

Farm & Food Care Ontario’s (FFCO) AGM and Speakers' Conference returns Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the GrandWay Event Centre in Elora.

This year’s theme, From Field to Front Page: The Changing Coverage of Agriculture Stories in the Media, features keynote speaker Claire McCormack, a PhD researcher and agricultural journalist at University College Dublin, who will explore trends in media coverage of agriculture and its future.

Following the keynote, a dynamic panel discussion, presented by FCC, will feature four journalists exploring the evolution of agriculture reporting and the factors influencing editorial decisions.

Additionally, Charlotte Wasylik of Chatsworth Farm in Vermilion, Alberta, will share insights on how guided farm tours, virtual field trips, and open-door events foster transparency and trust in food production, helping to bridge the gap between farm and table.

Highlights of the day will include:

• Taste of Ontario lunch
• Food & Farming Champion Award
• Overview of FFCO Initiatives: Gain insight into FFCO’s achievements and future plans for advancing agriculture and food awareness.

Join industry leaders to connect, learn, and celebrate the intersection of media, agriculture, and community!

Early bird tickets are now available with prices increasing on March 28th.

FFCO board member nominations open

Elections for the 2025/26 FFCO Board of Directors will take place on April 10, 2025. Six positions on the board will be up for election.

Each voting member (Platinum, Gold or Silver in good standing) is entitled to nominate one candidate to the board (or have one elected seat) at any given time.

Nominations include three components: a nomination form, a biography and questionnaire, and a signed copy of the director responsibilities and obligations document. All nominations must arrive at the Farm & Food Care Ontario office by email by Friday, March 21, 2025 at 5 p.m. Send via email to info@farmfoodcare.org

Last chance to nominate a Food & Farming Champion for 2025

FFCO is accepting nominations for its annual Champion Award, which honours individuals, organizations, or businesses that have made a significant impact in educating consumers about agriculture in Ontario. This award celebrates those who have worked to clarify misconceptions, promote agricultural practices, and raise awareness about the importance of the farming industry.



Nominations are open until March 7, 2025. If you know someone who deserves this recognition, we invite you to submit a nomination through the form provided.

Save the Date: Breakfast on the Farm - Innerkip

Join us for the first Breakfast on the Farm of 2025, hosted by Hoenhorst Farms, the Wensink family, on June 14, 2025, near Innerkip. This year is extra special as the Wensink family celebrates 100 years of farming excellence. Hoenhorst Farms Ltd. is a fourth-generation dairy farm where the Wensink family, alongside their dedicated team of eight employees, takes pride in producing high-quality milk. Visitors will get a firsthand look at how modern technology, including milking robots, helps run the dairy.

Breakfast on the Farm events showcase the many different agricultural commodities, careers, opportunities, and advancements in modern farming and food production. Guests will enjoy interactive displays and exhibits highlighting the diversity of food produced in Ontario. Visitors can also get up close with different livestock displays, explore farm equipment, and have all their farming-related questions answered by farmers and industry experts. To get involved and support this important outreach event, contact FFCO to explore partnership opportunities and help bring the story of Ontario agriculture to a wider audience.

Volunteer registration is now open—sign up today and be part of this event.

Virtual Food & Farm Field Trip: Maple Syrup

Join FFCO and AgScape for a Virtual Food & Farm Field Trip on Wednesday, March 5 at 1:30 pm EST, in celebration of Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month.

Tune in live on Facebook or YouTube to explore maple syrup production at Ziibaakdakaan Maple, an Indigenous-owned operation in Neyaashiinigmiing, Ontario.

FFCO at Ottawa Valley Farm Show: March 11-13

Visitors are invited to stop by and say hello to the Farm & Food Care Ontario team in booth 1000 at the Ottawa Valley Farm Show from March 11 to 13, 2025. FFCO team members will be on-site to share resources and connect with attendees.



The team looks forward to meeting with farmers, industry professionals, and partners at this important agricultural event in eastern Ontario.

FarmFood360 at College Royal Open House

Farm & Food Care Ontario will be at the University of Guelph - University Centre building on March 15 and 16, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring the FarmFood360 theatre-style kiosk. This immersive virtual reality experience offers a 360° view of 24 farms and processing facilities, providing an engaging look at modern agriculture.

FFCO staff and volunteers will guide visitors through this interactive experience, highlighting the wonders of farming and sharing the story of food production at this popular open house event at the University of Guelph, which is expected to draw an audience of 20,000 throughout the weekend.

The Real Dirt on Farming exclusive sale

FFCO is offering a special deal on cases of the 6th edition of The Real Dirt on Farming. This award-winning booklet answers the top questions Canadians have about food and farming in a simple, easy-to-understand format.

This edition dives deep into the roots of Canadian agriculture, featuring farmer and researcher profiles from across the country—from the Yukon to Newfoundland and everywhere in between. Available in both English and French, the booklet comes in two versions: full and digest.

Order today and choose pick-up to receive a FREE cardboard stand with your purchase! Shipping is also available if you prefer. Payment can be made by cheque, e-transfer, or credit card.

With pre-orders, quantities can also be picked up at FFCO's Annual Conference on April 10, 2025.

Member accolades:

George Gilvesy honoured by OFVGA

Congratulations to George Gilvesy, recently named the recipient of the 2025 Industry Award of Merit by the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association (OFVGA) at the annual industry banquet in Niagara Falls. Gilvesy, the recently retired chair of Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, has made significant contributions to the industry. He is shown here with OFVGA chair Shawn Brenn (left).

The Industry Award of Merit is presented annually to a recipient who has made outstanding contributions to the Ontario fruit and vegetable industry.

FFCO members honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medal

Congratulations to Jennifer Haley, Executive Director of Veal Farmers of Ontario, and Jean Emmott, Chair of the Bite of Brant - Agricultural Awareness Committee, on receiving King Charles III Coronation Medals for their exceptional leadership and contributions to the agricultural community.

Above: Jennifer Haley and Jean Emmott were among the 30 individuals honoured with awards by Brantford-Brant MP Larry Brock.

Veal Farmers of Ontario celebrates 10th Anniversary and 35th Year

Veal Farmers of Ontario is celebrating its 10th anniversary year as a marketing board and 35 years of dedicated service to the Ontario veal sector in March.

Meet a Silver Member: Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative testimonial

"Being a member of Farm & Food Care Ontario is vital for the Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative (ODGC) because it strengthens our voice within the broader agricultural community. As leaders in the dairy goat sector, it’s crucial that we support initiatives that foster public trust and educate consumers.

Farm & Food Care Ontario provides valuable resources, advocacy, and educational tools that help us share our story—highlighting the hard work, innovation, and care that our producers put into every product. Their outreach programs, like farm tours and media engagement, help bridge the gap between farmers and consumers, ensuring that the public understands where their food comes from and the standards we uphold.

Membership also connects us with a network of like-minded organizations, encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the agri-food sector. This helps us stay ahead of emerging challenges, from animal welfare to environmental sustainability.

For ODGC, being part of Farm & Food Care Ontario reinforces our commitment to transparency, quality, and community engagement, ensuring the long-term success and reputation of our members and the dairy goat industry as a whole."

Lindsay Dykeman General Manager

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.