Hello farm families! Take a break for an afternoon of "farm" bingo and socializing!
Join fellow farm families for this FREE social event! Play a few bingo rounds and win prizes!
Open to all farm families in the Peterborough region.
Hosted by the Peterborough Ag Roundtable.
For more information and to register for the event, visit https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/bingo-tickets-142181373315
The 2021 application is officially open! Fees and location are the same as last year and we expect another smooth market given that we're all veterans of operating and running the market through COVID. Of course, information about any specific COVID-19 accommodations will come closer to opening day.
You will be able to find the application and all the relevant information for this year on our website. To have first priority, please have your application submitted by March 14th.
Local farmers have highlighted the need for public education at both our Roundtable consultation events (December 2018 and Feb 2020). Now there is a possibility that some of the problems identified will be addressed in Bill 216, currently at a Standing Committee of the Ontario government. The general description of the proposed changes to the Education Act would:
"provide that curriculum guidelines shall require that courses of study be developed in experiential food literacy education and healthy eating for every grade from grade 1 through grade 12. The courses of study must ensure that students are given opportunities to grow food, prepare food and learn about local foods. Every board is required to provide instruction in the courses of study and to provide training and support for teachers and other staff of the board. Completion of the courses of study are a requirement for obtaining the Ontario secondary school diploma, the secondary school graduation diploma and the secondary school honour graduation diploma."
If you want to add your name to a petition in support of this Bill, go this link: https://www.change.org/p/mpp-darryl-kramp-bill-216-food-literacy-for-students-act-2020
To see a partial list of organizations supporting the Bill, visit this link: https://foodpolicykfla.ca/ .
The Working Group on the the Future of Food and Farming (Peterborough) plans to support the Bill.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Mental Health Night on Wednesday. Thank you especially to Jack Veitch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) for leading the discussion and providing helpful resources for managing stress.
Jack let us know about the BounceBack Ontario Program managed by the CMHA. This is a free skill-building program aimed to help people 15+ manage mild to moderate depression and anxiety, low mood, stress or worry. It is delivered over the phone with a coach and through videos online. Find out more at https://bouncebackontario.ca/
Part of the discussion also included a quick and easy way to help relieve stress in the moment: Tactical Breathing. This is a breathing exercise that can be used to help you to relax, focus, and gain control.
Visualize each number as you count
Breath in counting 1, 2, 3, 4
Hold the breath counting 1, 2, 3, 4
Exhale counting 1, 2, 3, 4
Repeat for 3-5 breaths
For a list of great resources for farmers on stress management and mental health support, visit our website at http://ptboagnews.com/are-you-struggling-season
Are you marketing directly to consumers, stores or restaurants?
Be ready for the upcoming season. Create a free searchable profile for your farm, products and points of sale on Peterborough Farm Fresh. You will benefit from online social media promotion through Local Food Peterborough throughout the year.
Visit peterboroughfarmfresh.ca and click on My Farm Listing. Then follow the simple instructions. Questions? Call 705-743-7671
POLICY TOUR: LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS
Our food system is globalized, but there’s a growing local food movement in Ontario and plenty of government funding to support it.
What is the best balance of efficiency and resiliency? What should Ontario’s food policy look like?
Join fellow district members for your Annual Meeting, and stay for a wider discussion on local food systems.
Agenda:
Opening & Welcome
District Annual Meeting
Federation Update
Joint Policy Tour Presentation
Thursday February 11, 2021
10:00am - 12:00pm
Held online, via zoom
See website www.christianfarmers.org to register
Congratulations to Peterborough County Dairy Producers Ronbeth Holsteins receiving their 4th Master Breeder Shield. Read more here:
Here is a link to a comprehensive resource from OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) that covers topics like prevention, testing, accommodations, wage supports and funding - all in one place.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/working-farm-operators-stop-spread-covid-19-farms
Note the February 26 deadline for the Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection program.
Jack Veitch, of the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge, joins us to educate fellow farmers about stress - good and bad – and what it means for our functioning. Strategies for managing stress are also explored.
Topics will include a discussion on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and positive psychology, as well as information on how to access free mental health programming throughout Ontario. This course will highlight simple ways to be and stay well while living through COVID-19. There will be time allotted at the end of the presentation for questions.
The presentation will be made online using Zoom. Help is availbale if youhave not used Zoom before.
Open to farmers throughout the east central Ontario region. Free.
Hosted by the Peterborough Ag Roundtable.
Registration is required. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/mental-health-night-stress-management-and-mental-health-enhancements-tickets-138810069655
Time is everything in an emergency. This session will focus on what hazards are associated with working alone and making a plan in advance.
Fred Young, a local farm safety consultant with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services, will be speaking about the risks associated with working alone on a farm. He will focus on how to access help in a rural environment and will also discuss the importance of being prepared based on your own farm surroundings.
The presentation will last about 45 minutes and time will be allotted for questions.
Open to farmers throughout the east central Ontario region. Free.
Registration is required. Zoom link to follow.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/farm-safety-working-alone-on-the-farm-tickets-138815080643