Please fully participate in the 2021 Census of Agriculture so we as farmers in the County have accurate information about our sector! Canadian farm operators will receive a letter in May 2021 with instructions on how to complete the census questionnaire online quickly and easily.
Please help others if they have limited ability to participate online.
For more information: https://census.gc.ca/resources-ressources/cst-tsc/agriculture/horizon-eng.htm
Thank you to everyone who attended Farm Safety: Working Alone on the Farm on Wednesday. Thank you especially to Fred Young of the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) for leading the discussion.
A key takeaway from this discussion was the Stop Think Act Program:
Stop – What could go wrong? How bad could it be? Has anything changed?
Think – Do I clearly understand the task? Am I physically and mentally ready? Do I have the right tools & equipment?
Act – Make it safe. Use the right tools & equipment. Reduce risks.
It is also important to have a communication plan in place so that people know where you are and roughly how long you will be.
For more information and resources, visit WSPS.ca/farmsafety
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
Over the course of 2020, local organizations and volunteers worked hard to support local farmers - and the businesses that buy from them. Efforts included
Organizers need feedback from local farms on these tools and what can be done better in the future.
Please help out by completing this 3 minute survey: https://s.surveyplanet.com/T29YWTRJw
All comments from the farm community are welcome. Just email them to localfoodptbo@gmail.com.
Hello farm families! Take a break next Sunday 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
Trevor Crowe is the new OMAFRA Agriculture & Rural Economic Development Advisor covering Northumberland, Peterborough and Haliburton Counties. He started in late November 2020, taking over from Carolyn Puterbough. He has been busy meeting with Economic Development organizations and food-based businesses in the area, getting familiar with the needs in the community.
He says “It’s important to know what the emerging issues are for farm or food-based businesses on are on the ground”, so please let Trevor know of any specifics. Monthly issues are submitted and reviewed as briefing notes to the Minister's office. Trevor also is ex officio member of the Peterborough Agricultural Roundtable and the Future of Food and Farming Working Group in Peterborough. Contact him at Trevor.Crowe@Ontario.ca
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