AgScape – Kerrie Jenken
No report is currently available.
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2024 – Cathy Dibble on behalf of Allan Thompson
OSCIA was pleased to take part in Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in 2024. The three-day event was very well attended, and OSCIA and OMAFA staff partnered once again this year to develop demonstration plots and displays both inside and outside our tent.
We were pleased to use the Mobile Soil Technology Suite (MSTS) LED trailer for various presentations, including Senator Rob Black speaking on the Senate Report on Soil Health: Critical Ground, and in-depth views of the soil pit on site. The on-board sound system provided great audio for the audiences as well.
OSCIA and OMAFRA staff were kept busy all three days with producer questions and interest in our demos, displays and opportunities available to producers. Almost 600 members participated in the free member-only breakfast event held daily. Soils at Guelph participated with a display in our tent as well.
Thanks to everyone who helped plan, set up and deliver three great days with producers.
Farm & Food Care Ontario Year in Review – Provided by Jessica McCann, Communications Coordinator for F&FC on behalf of Eleanor Renaud
Thanks to the continued support of longstanding members like the Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA), 2024 was another successful year for Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO). Through collaboration with OSCIA and other partners, FFCO was able to facilitate numerous opportunities for farmers, industry and agribusinesses to engage with the public, building trust and confidence in Ontario farms and food systems. These initiatives brought together farming and non-farming communities, creating spaces for urban and suburban consumers to meet and interact directly with Ontario’s farmers and food producers, while learning more about agriculture.
Breakfast on the Farm
Three Breakfast on the Farm (BOTF) type events were hosted across the province. This year, three events were hosted in Elmira, Ottawa and Perth County. Across the three, FFCO hosted 24,800 guests. At each event, soil health livestock, equipment displays and industry exhibits were showcased, and volunteers welcomed visitors with all-Ontario breakfasts. On two occasions, committees had to close volunteer sign-ups and revert to waiting lists due to the sheer volume of those interested in helping. OSCIA joined FFCO in Dublin for BOTF in September where one attendee shared, “This event exposed so many to the newest advances in farming & the pride that all who have chosen this profession, feel about their career choice.”
The Real Dirt on Farming
FFCO distributed The Real Dirt on Farming booklet to 212,000 readers through National Post affiliate newspapers in 2024. Additionally, the booklet was sent to every Member of Parliament and Provincial Parliament in Canada, every Canadian Senator, and every CEO and reeve/mayor/warden for each Ontario municipality. An educator guide, prepared by Agriculture in the Classroom Canada, and a 4-H manual developed by 4-H Ontario are also now available, as are copies of the full booklet and French and English digest versions. To date, over five million copies of The Real Dirt on Farming have been distributed since 2006.
Farm Tours
2024 also marked a significant milestone for FFCO’s 20-year farm tour program, celebrating its 100th farm tour since the program’s inception in 2004. Over two decades, the program has featured 258 farms and food processing facilities. This year, FFCO focused on modifying the farm tour program to expand its reach to new audiences. FFCO launched food industry professional tours in Ottawa and the Greater Toronto Area, targeting Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Interns, Professional Home Economists, chefs, nutrition program leads at educational institutions and daycares, food influencers and more. FFCO also hosted four culinary student tours.
Events and Outreach
FFCO, along with several members, spent 18 days at the CNE in August, showcasing an innovative, theatre-style FarmFood360 kiosk. This interactive exhibit allowed visitors to explore real working Canadian farms through immersive virtual reality experiences. The kiosk attracted 7,470 viewers, providing a unique and immersive way to experience farm life. The FarmFood360 exhibit was also featured at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (RAWF), where over 10 days, FFCO again provided thousands of guests with the opportunity to tour farms and food processing facilities.
Digital Outreach
In addition to in-person events, digital outreach is vital to FFCO’s work. Through Faces Behind Food on Instagram and Facebook, FFCO shared the stories of 103 individuals from across the agriculture and food industries. We also answered 40 Ask a Farmer questions reaching 2.5 million Canadians across social media platforms. on Instagram and Facebook.
Four new FarmFood360 Virtual Reality tours were filmed in 2024. These immersive experiences join a growing collection of almost 30 other farm and food processing tours available on FarmFood360.ca; this website was visited 1.5 million times in 2024.
Training and Workshops
FFCO also continues to prioritize other important industry issues for our members, facilitating 30 presentations and training sessions covering topics such as agriculture media training (including to OSCIA members), Speak Up training and livestock emergency courses.
Through FFCO’s resource library, 15,325 resources were distributed to 91 schools, fairs, individuals and organizations, supporting public trust in agriculture. FFCO also expanded its resource offerings by creating sharable graphics for Ontario Agriculture Week, which were downloaded thousands of times by municipalities, farm businesses, farmers’ markets, commodity groups and ag businesses.
Opportunities for Engagement
FFCO remains committed to fostering opportunities for members to connect. This year, FFCO hosted tri-annual Member Forum meetings, and regular discussions with like-minded organizations across Canada, including the other Farm & Food Care organizations, Agriculture in the Classroom Canada and 4-H.
To Learn More
To learn more about FFCO’s initiatives, visit www.FarmFoodCareON.org and subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter. Comments and questions can always be directed to FFCO staff directly at info@farmfoodcare.org
Ontario Certified Crop Advisors Association – Brady Jones
This report comes from various committees and leaders of the Ontario CCA organization and reflects a year of growth, adaptation, and continued commitment to excellence in the agricultural industry. Below is a brief summary of the key points from each report:
Aaron Breimer’s Chair’s Report reflects on his 23 years in the agricultural industry, including 21 years as a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA). He highlights the challenges of the 2024 growing season, such as unusual weather conditions and the early appearance of Tar Spot, which led to unpredictable circumstances for farmers. Despite these challenges, Ontario farmers achieved impressive yields, which Breimer attributes to the expertise of CCAs like those in the organization. Breimer thanks CCAs for their dedication to providing high-quality advice and recognizes the team effort that drives success in the industry. He also expresses gratitude toward the Ontario CCA staff and board members, as well as those who volunteer their time. This marks Breimer’s final year as Chair, as he will be succeeded by Nicole Penny. He reflects on his role representing Ontario on the International CCA (ICCA) board, including the unique experience of attending a meeting in Gainesville, Florida during Hurricane Helene. Breimer’s belief in the importance of grassroots involvement in ICCA decision-making led him to pursue a leadership role within the ICCA, starting in 2025.He concludes by expressing optimism for the future and encourages CCAs to take time for themselves during the winter months while continuing to engage in educational opportunities. The report ends with a lighthearted note, joking that 2025 might be the year a Canadian team wins the Stanley Cup.
Susan Fitzgerald’s Executive Director’s report discusses the importance of membership organizations, especially voluntary ones like the CCA (Certified Crop Advisor) program, in maintaining focus on delivering value to members. She highlights challenges, such as declining membership in some regions, possibly due to sector consolidation and retirement demographics. In contrast, Ontario has stable membership numbers, with many employers requiring or preferring CCA certification. She also points out the decline in membership in some U.S. states. The report outlines the value of CCA certification, including professional recognition, ongoing education, and networking opportunities. It encourages feedback and ideas to enhance the Ontario CCA program. Looking ahead, the focus will remain on the 10 strategic goals from the 2021 Strategic Plan, which aim to enhance the CCA’s profile, increase member engagement, and expand learning opportunities. The report also introduces Daina McMurray as the interim CCA Program Administrator during Erin Burton’s maternity leave. The report concludes by expressing gratitude to the Ontario CCA Board, volunteers, and members for their ongoing support and dedication to advancing the CCA designation.
The Ontario CCA Exam Committee Report, chaired by Christine Brown, outlines the scheduling and registration details for the Ontario and International CCA exams. Exams are offered quarterly, with specific registration periods and exam dates. Candidates can take the exams in one window or split them across different windows. Additionally, exams are now available by section, allowing candidates to take individual sections of the exam (Crop Management, Nutrient Management, Soil and Water Management, and Pest Management) at their own pace over five years, although this incurs additional proctor fees. The report also provides exam statistics for 2024. The Ontario exam had a 52% pass rate overall, with lower pass rates for individual sections like Nutrient Management, Soil and Water Management, and Pest Management. The International exam had a higher pass rate of 75% for Ontario examinees, compared to 58% for the entire group. The report also mentions that the CCA Pre-Exam Workshop has been virtual since 2021, with 36 pre-recorded workshops purchased in 2024, and lists the members of the Exam Committee.
The CCA Mentorship Committee, chaired by Nicole Weber, was established in 2017 to encourage new CCAs to take on leadership roles within the program. Mentees are asked to complete a project related to the CCA program, such as promoting the CCA designation, developing resources for members, or improving communications. The project must be approved by the Mentorship Committee, and mentees work closely with CCA staff, relevant committees, or assigned Board mentors. In the past year, one Board mentee, Olivia Noorenberghe, created a study group for prospective CCAs to help them prepare for their exams. The study group attracted 36 participants, and Olivia will present her project at the banquet on January 14th.The mentorship program is open for new applicants, with a deadline for applications on February 28, 2025. Successful applicants will attend their first Board meeting in March. Committee members include Nicole Weber (Chair), Christine Brown, Leigh Hudson-Templeton, and Jeff Jacques.
The Continuing Education Committee Report, led by Chair Jason Van Mannen, outlines the committee’s activities in 2023. A total of 142 meetings were reviewed for Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Four CEU applications were initially denied due to insufficient information but were later resubmitted. Two applications were denied because they did not meet CEU criteria. To assist applicants, the Ontario CCA website was updated with tips on completing CEU applications to ensure they meet the necessary standards. The committee also received one CEU appeal from a CCA who was short on CEUs for their two-year cycle. The committee decided to grant the appeal due to the circumstances, with the condition that the CCA make up the deficit in their next cycle, along with the regular 40 CEUs required. Committee members include Jason Van Mannen (Chair), Leanne Freitag, Paul Hermans, Janice Janiec, Geoff Smith, Les Nichols, Christine Brown, Jennifer Kilbourne, Katja Rochacewich, and Anita Speers.
The Standards & Ethics Committee Report, chaired by Phil Emmott, highlights the committee’s activities in 2024. The committee reviewed 18 credential packages, approving 14 individuals for full CCA status and granting CCA candidate status to four others. There were 12 requests for retired status, all of which were approved. No violations of the Code of Ethics were reported during the year. All CCAs are required to sign the Code of Ethics, committing to ethical conduct and the responsibility to report any breaches. The committee investigates unethical conduct in response to signed complaints, but it cannot initiate investigations independently. Committee members include Phil Emmott (Chair), Aaron Breimer, Meagan Ioi, Keith Reid, Murray van Zeggelaar, and Jonathan Zettler.
The Research and Innovation Committee Report, chaired by Jonathan Zettler, outlines key activities and developments in 2024. The Ontario CCA Association had representatives participating in 13 external committees, and the Research and Innovation Committee was restructured to facilitate discussions and feedback on these committees’ work. The first CCA Innovation Award, sponsored by Honeyland Ag Services, was presented at the January 2024 Conference. The award recognizes significant innovation or research in the crop advising field. While there were two nominees last year, the award went to Rob Miller. Unfortunately, no nominations were received this year. The committee also conducted the Research Priorities survey in January 2024, receiving 117 responses (18% of Ontario CCAs). A summary of the results was shared with all Ontario CCAs. Additionally, the committee explored the idea of utilizing CCAs as “conservation agronomists” to help corporations verify that agricultural practices align with sustainability and procurement requirements. This concept is being reviewed by the ICCA Board. Committee members include Jonathan Zettler (Chair), Aaron Breimer, Paul Cornwell, Leanne Freitag, Dave Hooker, Nicole Weber, Leigh Hudson-Templeton, Dale Cowan, Steve McQueen, Danny Jefferies, Don McLean, Tarlok Singh Sahota, Aaron Stevanus, Jason Van Maanen, and Paul Sullivan.
The Marketing Committee Report, chaired by Meagan Ioi, outlines the committee’s efforts in 2024 and plans for 2025. The committee’s focus remains on increasing grower awareness and education about the CCA designation. Their Marketing and Communications plan, developed in 2020, is updated annually with new goals and action items. In 2024, the committee launched several initiatives to raise awareness. These included placing an ad in the Ontario Agri Business Association directory to thank employers for supporting CCAs and producing “A CCA Works Here” tabletop signs with QR codes linking to the CCA Ontario website. These signs were distributed at the Outdoor Farm Show and received positive feedback. The committee also expanded its outreach efforts through the Pizza Program, where CCAs give presentations at universities and colleges about the value of the CCA designation, with pizza and refreshments to encourage student attendance. Presentations were held at Ridgetown College, the University of Guelph Soil and Crop Club, and Trent University, with potential future presentations at Algonquin and Lambton Colleges. Additionally, the Marketing Committee introduced the Emerging Leader Award in 2023 to recognize the talent and dedication of new Ontario CCA designees. The inaugural winner, Saveetha Kandasamy, was recognized at the 2024 conference. Committee members include Meagan Ioi (Chair), Brian Coutts, Liam Bracken, Lauren Benoit, Steph Berlett, Laurier Ferrier, Patrick Lynch, Anita Speers, and Rob Miller.
The Nominating Report for 2024, presented by Nicole Weber, outlines several changes and elections within the CCA Board. As of December 31, 2024, four elected terms ended, and Lauren Benoit resigned from the Board due to work commitments. Aaron Breimer’s term automatically renewed to allow him to complete his Executive position, and Meagan Ioi was elected as the incoming Vice Chair, which also renewed her term. Jason Van Maanen was appointed to complete the one-year remaining in Lauren Benoit’s term, providing him with two years on the Board before standing for re-election. Jeff Jacques completed his Past Chair role and rotated off the Board after serving the maximum number of terms.
As a result, two three-year terms were up for election, with four nominations: Dennis Frey, Janice Janiec, Chad Mangan, and Greg Stopps. Dennis Frey and Greg Stopps were elected, and Janice and Chad were thanked for their willingness to stand for election. The report also outlines the terms of Board members, with elections through 2025 to 2027. The 2025 CCA Executive will consist of:
- Chair: Nicole Weber
- Vice-Chair: Meagan Ioi
- Past-Chair: Aaron Breimer
- Secretary-Treasurer: Susan Fitzgerald
Non-voting liaison members include Pam Joosse (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), Christine Brown (Ontario Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs), and Tatianna Lozier (Conservation Ontario).
To enhance the critical relationship between CCA-ON and OSCIA, CCA-ON recently extended an invitation to Research and Knowledge Transfer Director Angie Straathof to join the board as a non-voting advisory member.
Ontario Forage Council – Birgit Martin
The Ontario Forage Council had a tremendous schedule of events in 2024.
•3 Profitable Pastures webinars in March covering:
-Getting Started on Rotational Grazing
-Predicting Cattle Performance from Grazed Pasture, and
-The Best Money Spent on the Ranch
Recordings are on the OFC YouTube channel youtube.com/@ontarioforagecouncil
• Multiple pasture walks (from Amherst Island to Grey County, Simcoe County and Dufferin County) with videos posted to the YouTube channel. Two of the walks were on the farms of the Mapleseed Pasture Award winners, JPD Angus in Simcoe County and Riverview Ranch in Dufferin County.
• Forage Expos in both Huron County and Eastern Valley that showcased forage equipment to great crowds. Pictures are on the OFC website.
• The Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association Conference, hosted by Ontario in Guelph in early December. The conference brought together those in research, policy, extension and primary production with a broad, 3 day agenda. The conference concluded by joining Ontario farmers on a field trip as part of OFC’s Forage Focus.
• Forage Focus’s theme was “Hay as a Cash Crop”. The field trip started at the Mark Horst hay shed and hay dryers at Gorrie and continued on to Marcrest Manufacturing (makers of the Bale Baron and 210 Baler) and then Marhaven Agri, for a demonstration of the hay press, an introduction to the Ontario Hay and Forage Coop and a panel discussion.
For more details on OFC and its activities, please go to https://onforagenetwork.ca/ontario-forage-council/
Ontario Professional Agri-Contractors Association (OPACA) – John Poel
The Ontario Professional Agri-Contractors Association (OPACA) is an organization that represents and supports Ontario’s agri-contractors. The association is committed to environmental and social responsibility, leading the industry in best business practices and the adoption of technology. It works with government, farm lobby and commodity organizations, and acts as a representative for specific concerns related to transportation, labour & environmental regulations, and agricultural support programs. It advocates for OMAFRA’s Custom Rates Survey for Ontario contractors and developed its own to augment and help gauge the ongoing needs of its membership.
Internally, OPACA directors focused on refining the ongoing organization’s strategic plan, governance as well as the formation of a finance committee for fiscal oversight.
External emphasis this past year includes potential cost-share funding opportunities for OPACA members and project updates comprising the AAFC Manure Project progress and outreach to companies in Europe, Canada and
US for presentation to manure contractor small groups across the province in February for feedback and further development.
While the in-corn manure source of hog, dairy and chicken comparison trials showed no initial significant differences on dosimeter readings, further data compilation from the lab results may reveal better information.
Events and communications were also key discussion points. For the first time this past year, lunch was provided to OPACA members by the Kubota area at the Canada Outdoor Farm Show with planned improvements on the way for this coming year. Upcoming events include training sessions, networking groups on manure, spraying and forage harvesting, and the AGM at the London Farm Show in March, with potential plans for a panel discussion on equipment costs and leasing and/or importing equipment from abroad. An e-newsletter with important dates and news to keep members informed and engaged is also circulated.
This summary encapsulates OPACA’s concerted efforts in governance, financial oversight, ongoing projects, and community events, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement and member engagement.
Ontario Agricultural Conference Committee – Mary-Margaret Mcdonald on behalf of John Poel
The Ontario Agricultural Conferences (OAgC) are a series of events designed to bring together farmers, experts, and industry leaders to share knowledge, network, and explore the latest agricultural innovations. The conferences are held in multiple locations across Ontario, including the Southwest Ag Conference (SWAC) in Ridgetown, the Midwest Ag Conference (MWAC) in Waterloo, and the Eastern Ontario Crop Conference (EOCC) in Kemptville. Each conference offers a variety of sessions, workshops, and keynote speakers aimed at enhancing farming practices and introducing new technologies.
One of the highlights of the OAgC is the OAgC Virtual Platform, which provides attendees with the flexibility to participate in both live and on-demand sessions. This platform allows for over 50 sessions covering a wide range of agricultural topics, accessible anywhere and anytime up to the end of March. The virtual experience includes live-streamed presentations, exclusive content, and unlimited playback options, making it easier for participants to engage with the conference content at their own pace.
This year’s SWAC conference had 300 single day registrants and 400 people sign up for the full two days. It featured the return of the “Taste Ontario” social as well as a planter clinic each day. The 190 participants took part in the MWAC conference which is jointly hosted by the Golden Horseshoe and Heartland SCIA’s and, this year, had an emphasis on grounded things to consider when making decisions about moving towards the initial, and increasing the adoption of, precision agriculture. The EOCC with 240 attendees, featured two concurrent sessions every hour and offered participants over 11 sessions to choose from.
These events provide opportunities for attendees to interact with valued trade show sponsors, connect with peers, learn from industry leaders, and gain hands-on experience with the latest agricultural equipment and techniques. With a focus on innovation, networking, and practical learning, the Ontario Agricultural Conferences are a valuable resource for anyone involved in the agricultural sector.
Soil Action Group – Andy van Niekerk
The Ontario Agricultural Soil Health and Conservation Strategy (“Soil Strategy”) was developed as a collaboration between the Ontario government, industry, academia, and conservation authorities. It established a shared vision, goals and objectives across soil health themes, and a suite of government and partner actions to improve agricultural soil health from 2018-2030.
The purpose of the Group is to lead and monitor the effective implementation of the Soil Strategy, focusing on informing, mobilizing action, and creating synergies and linkages between various initiatives related to soil health in Ontario’s agricultural sector.
The Group’s goals are to strive to advance the implementation of the Soil Strategy’s 84 actions, working towards the following goals:
- Slow or Stop Soil Degradation: Implement measures to slow or stop soil degradation of Ontario’s agricultural soils.
- Improve Agricultural Soil Health: Undertake initiatives to enhance the health of agricultural soils in Ontario through sustainable and science-based practices.
- Enhance Access to Soil Health Information: Collaborate to provide better access to the latest information on soil health-building practices, ensuring that knowledge is disseminated widely within the agricultural community.
- Contribute to Soil Health Evaluation: Contribute towards soil health evaluation to enable farmers to better measure the impacts of best management practice adoption.
I represent OSCIA on this committee along with Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer Angie Straathof.
There are 3 co-chairs: Cale Selby, OMAFA; Alan Kruzel, Consultant; Janice Janiec, OFA; and they continue to move the SAG agenda forward. There were 3 in person/virtual meeting as well as one in person meeting at Holmes Agro, Orangeville.
Detailed presentations were made from BFO, OABA, DFO, and from Conservation Ontario regarding their Soil Health initiatives.
Each member of the organization has their own goals and actions which contribute and are then reported and accounted for in the Soil Action Group.
I look forward to continued participation on this committee.