Fund honours biomass pioneer's memory, supports leadership program Wednesday, January 22, 2014 by MATT MCINTOSH A memorial fund to help support innovation and forward-thinking in agricultural and agri-business is being established by the Rural Ontario Institute. In a January 21 press release, the Rural Ontario Institute announced that the Dean Tiessen Memorial Fund will be used to support their Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program, which works to develop leadership in Ontario’s agricultural sector. The fund is named after Dean Tiessen, who was killed in Brazil this past December, and was considered by many to be a leader in Ontario’s biomass and greenhouse industries. There are eight seminars in each Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program class,” says Arlene Warner, manager of communications and fund development for the Rural Ontario Institute. “The Dean Tiessen fund will be in place for the next ten years, and donations will be used to support the third seminar of our program classes.” Tiessen was the president of New Energy Farms near Leamington Ontario, and a graduate of the program’s Class 10, which ran from 2003 to 2005. A Class 10 committee has been organized to establish the fund. In the press release, Henry Koskamp, a member of the committee, credits Tiessen’s hard work and solution-oriented attitude with helping to start Ontario’s biomass industry. He was “a pioneer in energy crops, not just here in Ontario but also internationally,” says Koskamp. The press release says that donations for the fund will be accepted at Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program’s “Dream Auction” in Guelph on February 8. Those interested can also donate online though the Rural Ontario Institute’s website, or by mail. BF Layoffs at Agricorp Farmers market adopts restaurant venue
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online