February 2020 Update

Mike Belan chosen as 2020 Innovative Farmer of the Year

Every year, the Innovative Farmers of Ontario chooses a farmer who exemplifies great soil stewardship, progressive thinking, and a drive to explore ways to improve their farming practices.

Mike will be receiving his award at the IFAO Conference Banquet, February 19 in London.

Lambton OPP Public Safety Meeting

The Lambton Farm Safety Association and the Lambton Federation of Agriculture invite you to join us when we host Constable Katie Hill, Lambton OPP's Media Officer for a public safety meeting.

Topics will include, but are not limited to:

Protecting farms from burglary
Farm invasions (activists)
Road safety

RSVP on Eventbrite today: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/94204053861

All Welcome!

Is a farmer’s livestock trailer towed by a pickup exempt from an annual safety inspection?
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.
- An exclusive from Peter Jeffery, OFA Senior Farm Policy Analyst.

Agriculture Across Lambton County

A big thanks to Frameworks Media Inc for another gem of a video promoting agriculture in Lambton County.
Give it a view if you haven't had a chance to do so yet.
Also, check out our other videos on lambtonfederation.ca

Canada’s Value-Added Food Sector

The untapped potential of Canada’s Value-Added Food Sector presents opportunities:

To increase international and interprovincial trade
Inspire innovation
Break down barriers to economic growth across the country

What are your thoughts and ideas on how to grow Canada’s Value-Added Food Sector?
Shoot us a note with your thoughts at lambtonfederation.ca

Read more on the Senate of Canada‘s recommendations on locallylambton.com

What is Food Literacy?

Food literacy is an awareness of how to make healthy food choices that help you develop good food habits for a lifetime of health. - Read more on locallylambton.com

Resolutions or County Concerns

What actions or issues do you want the Lambton Federation of Agriculture (or the OFA) to take on?

Let us know in our Forum at lambtonfederation.ca

Updates

Meeting with the Ontario Minister of Agriculture

On February 6, we met with the Ontario Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Hon Ernie Hardeman with MPP Bob Bailey and neighbouring Federation presidents and OFA representatives in Wyoming to discuss Bill 156 – the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2019

LFA Board Update:

On February 10 we held our first Board Meeting with the new 2021 board. Our OFA Member Service Representative, Joanne Fuller presented an orientation for the new directors, and a reminder for those returning.

At the meeting, we also participated in and submitted our County Federation Forecast Survey to let the OFA know about training and topics we would like support with in the coming year.

Committee Updates:

Also at our first meeting, committees were struck with the hopes of creating sub-groups of directors in charge of different initiatives we want to accomplish during the year.
Let us know of your concerns and we will find the right person or group to respond.

Going Forward:

On February 25, we will be participating in an all-day strategic planning session with the southwestern Ontario OFA County Federations. The goal of this meeting will be to improve our organization and leadership development. We will also be formulating a plan to address local Federation needs, such as recruitment, engagement, training/governance, member outreach and more.

Locally Lambton Food & Fun Map

If you're interested in sponsoring the 𝙇𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙇𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙩𝙤𝙣 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙙 & 𝙁𝙪𝙣 𝙈𝙖𝙥 online, give us a shout at https://locallylambton.com/contact/
We have developed sponsorship packages and they are available upon request.