Award Opportunity:
Have you developed and implemented an innovative product or process within your agriculture or food business? If so, you could be eligible to receive one of the following awards from the Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Program:
- Premier's Award (one award valued at $75,000)
- Minister's Award (one award valued at $50,000)
- Leaders in Innovation Awards (three awards valued at $25,000 each)
- Provincial Awards (45 awards valued at $5,000 each)
Eligible applicants include primary producers / farmers, processors and agri-food organizations. Unlike previous years, applications will be accepted direct from processors and agri-food organizations.
A copy of the Program Guidebook and Application Form, as well as information on previous award recipients is available at www.ontario.ca/agrifoodinnovation or by calling 1-877-424-1300.
Applications will be accepted until 5:00 pm, Monday, November 14, 2011.
Sustainable Agriculture Course at Fleming College
http://www.flemingc.on.ca/index.cfm/go/programs/sub/display/code/SAG.cfm
The three-semester Sustainable Agriculuture program is designed for new and beginner farmers seeking an intensive, applied learning experience in sustainable, ecological or natural farming methods. Farming practices in this program are based on the principles of environmental stewardship, farmer profitability, social responsibility and community health.
Following the progression of the farm year, course work will focus on the
principles and practices of sustainable agriculture, small farm operations
and viability, and the exploration of new and expanding niche markets. You will also examine strategies for direct marketing and new farm business models. The culmination of this learning is the development of your own business case and farm plan. With experienced farmers and practitioners as your guides, the program is enriched by farm field days, site visits, community-based learning activities and excellent resource materials. An 18-week summer co-op experience creates further opportunities for specialization.
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Farmland available to rent in Southern Ontario
FROM:
Mapleton’s Organic Dairy
July 21, 2010
8548 Wellington Road #7
Moorefield, Ontario
N0G 2K0
An invitation for applicants to take over management/ownership of an existing CSA/market garden.
About Mapleton’s Organic Dairy
We are located in the northern part of Wellington County, 50 km from Guelph. Our farm is busy and diverse offering many opportunities. On 600 acres of certified organic land, we raise primarily dairy cows, but also pigs, laying hens, meat birds, and a few pets. Our milk is processed into ice cream, frozen yogurt and fresh yogurt in our on-farm processing plant, and is sold both in the on-farm store and café as well as in health food stores across the country. In addition to the livestock, we also grow a number of field crops, and are home to a growing agri-tourism program including a 2-acre maze, demonstration livestock barn, and crop rotation circle.
Three years ago Martin de Groot (owner) offered rent-free land to anyone with the inclination, ambition and knowledge to start a CSA. Caitlin Hall, a CRAFT alumni, took on the challenge and has since grown a successful business with 60 shares. All of her hard work has paid off and this past winter she was able to buy her own farm and plans to start working the land next year. We will miss her greatly but look forward to being able to offer this opportunity to someone new who will then also have the chance to get a solid start in farming.
We’re looking for a hard-working, self-motivated entrepreneur (partnerships are welcome too) who is interested in starting their own CSA/Market Garden/Pick Your Own business on our farm. Everyone who would like to explore this possibility with us can send us an e-mail with some basic background information (farming experience, education etc.) as well as proposed intentions/ideas.
Sincerely,
Arwa de Groot
info@mapletonsorganic.ca
519-638-1115
