March 2021 Update

Lambton Federation of Agriculture

Welcome to Lambton Ag Link Subscribers!

Join us on March 31 for a special meeting with Lambton Farm Safety

The last public Lambton Farm Safety meeting was held in March of 2020 (our last in-person event btw) and was very well attended. We have the capability to get this many people online, so Register Today!

We are celebrating a milestone this year...

The first constitution of the "Lambton County Farmers Association" was ratified March 1941.

What came next was organizing their financing, and a petition to join the Ontario Federation of Agriculture was circulated.

To check out excerpts of the petition booklet and read a copy of the actual petition, CLICK HERE

Did you know that the Lambton Federation of Agriculture produced historical retrospective books for their 40th and 60th anniversary?

We thought we'd create a 20 year retrospective similar to what was created in 2001 (an addition to the 40th anniversary book was produced), but since so much electronic content was available (the LFA started its first website in 2002), we thought we'd present it all online.

We have had multiple people come forward with photos, newspapers clippings, and letters to add to our online retrospective.

If you have any content to share: newspaper clippings, photos, stories, or reports, please feel free to send them our way.

One of the benefits of an online retrospective is it is never truly complete, and there's no printing deadline to worry about.
Give us a shout at info@lambtonfederation.ca

From Our Hands To Your Table

This is an exciting new project in partnership with Middlesex Federation of Agriculture, Invest in Middlesex, Visit Middlesex, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, Middlesex-London Food Policy Council, & Tourism Sarnia Lambton.

Big thanks to the Ontario Government and their Rural Economic Development (RED) fund.

Check it out at: https://handstotable.ca

International Women's Day 2021

IWD 2021 was on March 8th.

Make sure to check out our Director's profile for Chloe Duffy on our website.

Click through to read more...

If you know of an influential woman in agriculture, make sure to nominate them HERE.

Post-Pandemic Scenario Planning Committee

The LFA has been participating with the Sarnia-Lambton Workforce Development Board on producing a Post-Pandemic Scenario Planning Report.

The report was released today and it is great to have Lambton agriculture's voice represented on that report.

If you are having workforce issues, please let us know.

Airport Action Working Group

The LFA has also been participating in the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport Action Group, looking at opportunities into the future.

If anyone has ideas for increased usage of the airport to keep it open, or if any farms locally use air transportation for shipping cargo, or for passenger service on a regular basis, please let us know.

Contact us at https://lambtonfederation.ca/contact/

Updates

LFA Board Update:

Our next monthly meeting is going to be held on the evening of April 12.

If you have any issues you want brought forward to the board, or if you have any events that you want the board to help out on, please let us know.
LFA members are also welcome to join us for our monthly meetings.

Committee Updates:

If you'd like to participate in our committees, let us know. We have room for non-directors on our committees.

Promotions
- We are looking for ideas or hosts for our next series of 'Virtual Farm Tours'
- Our executive committee participated recently in a media training workshop hosted by Farm & Food Care.
Environmental Issues:
- We are keeping an eye on the Enbridge London Line pipeline upgrade currently happening in Dawn-Euphemia.
- Our Environment Committee has also met with CleanFARMS Inc to discuss a possible Ag plastics recycling pilot project.
- The City of Sarnia is considering a business case for an anaerobic digester for a waste-to-energy project.
Political Awareness:
- We are reading the tea leaves on whether we are going to have a Federal Election this year. What's your guess?
- We have been reviewing Ontario's changes to the Planning Act and the expansion of the usage Minister's Zoning Orders. There is a deadline of Apr 3 for submissions and we would like your opinion.
- Let us know if you'd like to organize a commodities meeting with our current elected officials at all levels of government to bring forward our concerns.
Scholarships:
- We are working on offering scholarships again in 2021 for the 2022 school year.
- One scholarship that we offered last year is still available. Check it out here at:
  lambtonfederation.ca
+Suggestions for new committees are welcomed.

Upcoming Events

Ag Robotics & Automation webinar with Haggerty Creek
March 30 4pm

Lambton County Community Safety and Wellness Survey
due March 30

LFSA special meeting
March 31 7pm

Lambton Ag Hall of Fame Submissions
due March 31 2021

Farm & Food Care AGM April 6 1-4pm

LFA Monthly Meeting
April 12 730pm

AgScape AGM
April 26 & May 5

Click below to view other events on the LFA Website Calendar.

Website Calendar

Keep an eye out on our Social Media Channels for meeting announcements or issues in real time.

Help us fill out our public calendar of events.

Submissions from all Lambton County commodity and agricultural advocacy groups are welcome.

Contact us using the button below:

Contact

We are organizing a Livestock Emergency Response Webinar for First Responders. Let us know if you'd like to participate.

Other Updates:

We have received an official letter from the Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Seamus O'Regan regarding our letter to his office, asking for support for Enbridge's Line 5 in Michigan.

Minister O'Regan shares our concerns about the impacts the shutdown of Line 5 would have on the supplies of fuel feedstocks in Ontario and Quebec, and will fully advocate for its continuation during the eventual replacement under the Straits of Mackinac.
His office has made formal submissions on our behalf to US state and federal regulatory agencies responsible for the decision.

Locally Lambton Food & Fun Map

If you're interested in participating in Locally Lambton Food & Fun Map marketing, learn more here:
locallylambton.com

Have you heard our radio reports on Blackburn News?

CFCO 92.9FM / 630AM
Every 3rd Wednesday
CHOK 103.9FM / 1070AM
Every 4th Wednesday

It airs at noon, or you can check out previous reports on our website at: lambtonfederation.ca

We are looking for OFA members to serve on our board:

GET CONNECTED: Grow your professional and social circle
BE IN THE KNOW: New programs, grants, campaigns
GIVE BACK: Contribute to your own farm community

What does the Lambton Federation Board need?

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

Follow our social media channels for real-time updates: