Speakers Program 2011
Plenary Session
Keynote speaker: Dr. Shiv Chopra
Originaire de l'Inde, le Dr Chopra vit au Canada depuis 1960. Il est l'auteur de plusieurs publications traitant des sciences, la société et les religions. Il est diplômé en médecine vétérinaire et détient un doctorat en microbiologie. Il s'est vu décerner plusieurs prix dont celuide la Fellowship of the World Health Organization. Son nom est associé à la sécurité agro-alimentaire. Au cours des 40 dernières années, il a mené, en compagnie de collègues scientifiques, plusieurs batailles contre les différents ministères de la santé fédéraux canadiens dans le but de protéger l'approvisionnement alimentaire à l'échelle mondiale.
Avec l'appui de son syndicat, le Dr Chopra et ses collègues ont refusé d'approuver plusieurs drogues destinées à la production de viande et de lait. Il a subit des mesures disciplinaires, s'est prononcé publiquement, a témoigné devant le Sénat et a gagné plusieurs causes contre le gouvernement canadien à la cour fédérale. Grâce à son travail acharné, l'hormone de croissance bovine a été interdite au Canada en 1999 et au sein de l'Union Européenne. Il s'est élevé contre l'hormone de croissance bovine, les antibiotiques dangereux tels que Revalor-H Baytril et les causes réelles de la maladie de la vache folle.
La sûreté et la sécurité agro-alimentaire mondiale est menacée. La production industrielle de nourriture entreposée trop longtemps et livrée aux consommateurs après multiples transformations est responsable de maladies aigues et chroniques liées à la consommation d'aliments. L'utilisation massive de pesticides, antibiotiques, hormones, résidus des abattoirs et OGMs représente un risque phénoménal.
L'agriculture biologique consommée localement est la réponse la plus évidente à ce dilemme. Cependant, le marché biologique ne suffit pas à la demande. Le recours aux produits biologiques cultivés dans des contrées lointaines voire des déserts n'est ni soutenable ni acceptable. La seule alternative est de produire et consommer localement de la nourriture biologique. Des stratégies en vue de résoudre ces problèmes dans l'intérêt public seront discutées.
Market Gardening
Decisions for the Viable and Sustainable Farm
Ken Taylor
Green Barn Nursery
ken@greenbarnnursery.ca
www.greenbarnnursery.ca
Traduction simultanée en français
Ken was born in Danville, Quebec and worked the family farm until the age of 16 when a scholarship "coerced” him off the farm and culminated with a doctorate degree in biochemistry (PhD McGill 73). Degree in hand, his passion for farming returned with the purchase of 70 acres of vacant land on Ile Perrot. Trying to establish a viable farm required many years of “off farm income”, 35 years at John Abbott College teaching and developing a wide diversity of chemistry related courses including winemaking, food biochemistry, consumer and environmental chemistry, etc.
With a unique scientific background in biochemistry (effect of chemicals on human health) and years of practical experience in organic farming, Ken has become a very outspoken advocate of the sustainable organic food movement. A much televised NFB film “Organic Prophecies” has aired many of his passionate views on the subject. His different perspective on the local food movement has been exposed in a diversity of media; Harrowsmith, Canadian Organic Growers, Small Farm Journal, Canadian Living, REAP, Plant Talk, The Gazette, La Presse and most recently on the Food Network show Ricardo and Friends.
The invaluable experience and information Ken has acquired over the last 35 years has made him one of the foremost authorities on Northern tree crops. He believes that they are a sustainable, environmentally beneficial way to make small and medium sized farming possible and profitable again.
Workshop - Decisions for the Viable and Sustainable Farm
A viable farm business has many options for local markets? This presentation will examine some key questions:
1) How much farm land do I want to work? (1 acre or 100 acres)
2) What farm crop do I want to grow.....field crops, animal crops (meat, dairy, eggs), veggie crops, tree crops?
3) What type of farm do I want to be..entertainment farm (PYO, agro tourism, CSA), OMAFRA/MAPAQ farm (quotas, bailouts, import tariffs), private business farm?
4) What can I afford as initial investment and when does my investment start paying back?
50 yrs of farm experience may offer some help in making these crucial decisions. Come to Eco Farm Day 2011 and hear my suggestions for your new farm venture/adventure!
Viewing Food Safety on the Farm
Jan Schooley
Crops On-Farm Food Safety Program lead
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Simcoe, Ontario
Ph: 519-426-5694
Fx: 519-428-1142
Email: jan.schooley@ontario.ca
Jan has worked with OMAFRA since 1990. She was instrumental in publishing the OMAFRA guide for Integrated Pest Management of Crucifers in Ontario, the Production Recommendations for Ginseng in Ontario, and more than 50 factsheets on herb production. Jan is currently working as a Program Lead in On-farm Food Safety for horticultural crops. She has been a member of the CFIA Technical Review Committee for the CanadaGAP program and was a member of the technical working group for the development of the Good Agricultural and Collection Practices for herbs, spices and medicinal plants in Canada. With her husband, she grows apples in Norfolk County (in her spare time), and has recently planted 3 ½ acres of lavender.
Workshop - Viewing Food Safety on the Farm
It is important for producers to view their farm operation with “food safety” glasses so that they know where their food safety risks are on their particular operation and how best to manage those risks. Consumers are becoming more knowledgeable and seek quality when purchasing food for their families. Although quality is a complex issue and it means different things to different consumers, it is often associated with freshness, nutrition and food safety. A food safety plan is critical for growing your customer base and increasing your sales. OMAFRA on-farm food safety program leads, Sandra Jones or Jan Schooley, will talk on how producers can determine their food safety risks on their farm so that producers can enhance consumer confidence by showing how they have devoted considerable attention to food safety.
Over Winter Storage of Fruits and Vegetables
George Bushell
bushell.ottawa@rogers.com
George Bushell is an organic gardener and member of the Canadian Organic Growers (COG) who lives in Blackburn Hamlet in the east end of Ottawa. He grows vegetables and flowers in his backyard and in an allotment garden. George is the President of the Gloucester Allotment Garden Association and past President of the Gloucester Environmental Advisory Committee. George has given many presentations to horticultural societies and gardening groups about composting, organic lawn and yard care, about growing and storing vegetables and flowers naturally and about controlling insects without the use of pesticides. He has written for Harrowsmith magazine, COG, Canadian Living and other publications from time to time. George is now retired and works part-time as a management consultant.
Workshop - Over Winter Storage of Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables can be kept throughout the winter using cold storage, canning and freezing methods. George will discuss a number of cold storage solutions ranging from cold rooms to re-cycled chest freezers. He will also discuss the temperature and humidity requirements essential for effective cold storage. In addition, some canning and freezing points will be covered.
Field Crops
Effective Weed Control and Crop Rotations
Steve and Loraine Lalonde
Tullochgorom Farm
lamblalonde@targo.ca
Steve and Loraine Lalonde share their approach to crop rotation, weed control, soil health and tillage, as well as some of the lessons learned over ten years of organic cash cropping on their farm in the Chateauguay Valley of Southwest Quebec.
Workshop - Crop Rotation and Weed Control in Organic Cash Crops
Steve Lalonde purchased his family’s 80-acre home farm and broiler operation in 1985. Shortly afterwards, he and his wife, Loraine, formed Tullochgorum Farm, and began the transition to organic production of their field crops in 1997. The addition of 140 acres of rented land in 2007 brings the farm’s total acreage to 220, all currently under certification. In addition to corn, soy, cereals and hay, Steve and Loraine also grow two varieties of popcorn, which they market from the farm.
Organic Research Rocks Agriculture!
Andrew Hammermeister
Manager, Organic Agriculture Center of Canada
ahammermeister@nsac.ns.ca
www.organicagcentre.ca/
Dr. Andy Hammermeister grew up on a mixed farm in Saskatchewan and now is Manager of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. Since 2002, his organic research has included: crop rotations, soil amendments, a variety of field crops and most recently black currants. Andy is currently managing the Organic Science Cluster (http://oacc.info/OSC/osc_welcome.asp), a large national organic research initiative advancing the science of organic across Canada.
Workshop - Organic Research Rocks Agriculture!
Organic agriculture and food is facing more public scrutiny than ever. Consumers are seeking justification for their purchasing decisions amid expanding choices and marketing shifts. Meanwhile, organic producers are adjusting to the new realities of commoditization of organic products while dealing with the triple threat of fertility, weeds and weather. How is organic science serving the organic sector in Canada? This presentation will provide an overview of key organic research initiatives in Canada's Organic Science Cluster and beyond, and provide an opportunity for discussion about where organic research should be directed.
Managing Grain Quality on the Farm
Tom Manley
Homestead Organics
tom@tommanley.ca
www.homesteadorganics.ca
Tom established Homestead Organics in 1997, as an offshoot of the family farm. With 8 employees, they are eastern Canada’s leading organic farm service and supply business. Tom was Chapter Chair of COG Ottawa for several years and chairs Eco Farm Day for the last 7 years. Prior to organic agri-business, Tom was the project leader for the Bell Sympatico Internet Service for its launch in 1995. Earlier, he was a Captain in the Canadian Forces and Base Telecom Officer for CFB Montreal.
Workshop - Managing Grain Quality on the Farm
Farmers no longer have the assurance of easily moving their crop. As the demand for organic commodities softens relative to supply, the market has the luxury of being more selective on the crops being purchased. Crop quality and logistics can be determining factors between a sale and carry-over into the next crop year. This workshop will review critical quality management issues that can help the farmer increase the likelihood of a timely sale.
Livestock
Creating a Consumer Meat CSA Program
Harry Stoddart
The Stoddart Family Farm
farm@stoddart.ca
www.stoddart.ca
Harry Stoddart, B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc. and his wife, Silvia, and their five children run a certified organic mixed farm in the Kawartha Lakes region of Central Ontario focussing on grass-fed and pasture-raised animals. In their fifteen year journey with certified organic production, the Stoddarts have worked with many different business models to market their production from wholesaling to farmer's market stands. For the last several years, they have focussed increasingly on CSA-style models, first working to set up a co-operative CSA for vegetables in the Peterborough area and then launching their own CSA-style programs for meat, eggs and wool.
Workshop - Creating a Consumer Meat CSA Program
Harry will share their experiences (the good, the bad, and the ugly) with the CSA model and reasons why they see the CSA model as a key to their future sustainability. Topics covered will include how their models work, pricing the shares, finding customers, teaching a butcher how to cut meat for city folks, and the logistics.
Holistic Management for Healthy Land, People, Profits
Tony McQuail
Certified Educator Holistic Management, Meeting Place Organic Farm
mcqufarm@hurontel.on.ca
Traduction simultanée en français
Holistic Management has been helping farm families around the world direct their lives to improve their land, profits and people for over 25 years by helping them make better decisions.
Workshop - Holistic Management for Healthy Land, People, Profits
This one hour session will
provide an overview of the system developed by Alan Savory to help farm families develop a guiding goal for their operation and then test their decisions to ensure that they are moving toward that goal while considering the ecological, financial and social implications. The McQuails have been using the Holistic Management process since 1995 and
have been farming organically since 1975. You can learn more about the McQuails, Meeting Place Organic Farm and Holistic Management at www.meetingplaceorganicfarm.ca
Profitable Intensive Rotational Grazing
Luke Swale
Earth's Harvest Farm
Traduction simultanée en français
Luke was born and raised in New Zealand and schooled in conservation and agriculture. He attended the local polytechnic for agriculture and joined the Agriculture Industry Training Organization Cadet Program to become a farm worker experiencing pasture-grazed dairy farming in New Zealand. While on a placement in East Sussex, England on a 150 head dairy operation, he was herd manager, accountable for the day to day operations of the farm. During the two-year placement, by applying his knowledge and understanding of rotational grazing and pasture management, the farm owner saw his milk productivity rise to record levels. Time on a dairy farm outside of Toronto taught him some of the farming principles in Canada. His experiences include working in the field of dairy cows which is also adaptable to the beef market and on a grass based system which allowed his techniques to offer improvements in pasture utilization, feed budgeting etc. He now strives to apply his management knowledge and understanding of sustainability to agriculture in Canada. The objective is to achieve a superior quality and quantity of product at a lower cost for the farmer and the environment. In 2010, he began “Earth’s Harvest Farm” and his business plan outline will be to start a 300 broiler operation in the spring of 2011 and 50 laying hens as well. He also consults with farms that are interested in adopting pasture farming techniques by providing advice on such topics as feed budgeting and pasture allowances.
Workshop - The Possibility of Pasture
How the understanding of New Zealand pasture farming techniques can translate to the Canadian environment providing an opportunity for a superior quality and quantity of product at a lower cost for the farmer and the environment. The discussion will highlight:
* Pasture management;
* Pasture utilization;
* Seasonal differences; and
* Metabolic Disorders.
The discussion will conclude with a summary of future considerations in order to ensure continued and consistent success through pasture management techniques.
General Interest
Building Healthy, Sustainable Local Food Systems
Devorah Belinsky
All Things Food
devorah.belinsky@uclc.ca
www.uclc.ca
Devora Belinsky, B.A, B.Sc., M.Sc is a nutritional anthropologist currently working as nutrition coordinator providing healthy breakfast and snacks to students and co-chairs “All Things Food”, focused on local, healthful food systems.
Workshop - Building Healthy, Sustainable Local Food Systems
Ontario’s MCYS Student Nutrition Program and other local food initiatives will be reviewed, followed by a discussion of how to foster mutually beneficial partnerships between local food producers and providers.
From Seed to Table - a Practical Guide to Eating and Growing Green
Janette Haase
janettehaase@gmail.com
Author and educator
Janette Haase grew up in Montreal and attended Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Between 1986 and 1998, she and her family ran a successful farm and organic market garden, supplying vegetables and herbs to restaurants in Ottawa and Kingston. She now lives on a tiny lot in a tiny village north of Kingston where a small garden and a simple cold storage area supplies her family with local and organic vegetables year round. In her book, From Seed to Table and in her workshops, she teaches others to grow highly productive and efficient backyard gardens and to find ways to eat locally and seasonally within our northern climate.
Workshop - A Practical Guide to Eating Locally and Seasonally
Explore how one can transform one's diet to one that is local and seasonal without moving to the country. An efficient and productive backyard garden, a simple cold storage area and a commitment to cooking what is local can send you well on your way.
Marketing isn't just about advertising - especially online
Alicia Wanless
Crowder House
www.crowderhouse.ca
alicia@crowderhouse.ca
Alicia Wanless is the owner and operator of @CrowderHouse, a full-service business development firm that can assist from the business-planning phase to rolling out of marketing tools. With experience in a variety of sectors, including communications, international affairs, security and politics, Alicia has a unique skill set combining project management, analysis and marketing. Alicia has worked on televised awards shows, such as Canada's Walk of Fame, and organised high-level world meetings such as the G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, among other things. And throughout it all, nothing has been more rewarding or as interesting as helping cottage industries develop.
Workshop - Marketing isn't just about advertising - especially online
Marketing isn't just about advertising - especially online. Find out how you can build an effective marketing campaign using social media and other free online tools. From branding to news placement, this workshop provides a simple overview to help you go to market.