Local food bill returns to Queen's Park for third reading Tuesday, October 29, 2013 by SUSAN MANN A provincial government local food bill is coming up for third reading next week and possibly a vote by mid November, says Mark Cripps, communications director for the Ontario agriculture ministry. Premier and Agriculture Minister Kathleen Wynne “is committed to working with all the parties to ensure that the bill is passed,” Cripps says. Currently the bill is in second reading. On Monday, the Progressive Conservatives issued a press release outlining their proposed amendments to the bill, including making food education for all grades mandatory to increase students’ knowledge of nutrition and where food comes from as well as to improve their cooking skills. Other Conservative amendments call on the government to create a 25 per cent non-refundable tax credit for farmers donating their products to an Ontario food bank, requiring the agriculture minister to set targets for local food and moving Local Food Week to the first week in June from the proposal to have it happen the same week as Ontario Agriculture Week, which is the week just before Thanksgiving in October. Having Local Food Week during first week in June will kick off the summer local food season and create another opportunity to highlight local food, the press release says. Cripps says “there has been some great suggestions from the other parties that will only strengthen the bill.” BF Areas for bean research prioritized New foreign worker program targets high skilled workers for Canadian farmers
Strategies to Optimize Market Returns in Ontario Monday, September 15, 2025 Berkley Fedorchuk, grain marketing specialist with Hensall Co-op in Southwestern Ontario, recently shared insights into the current corn market and strategies for forward marketing during his presentation at the . With a focus on the Ontario and Eastern Canadian grain sectors,... Read this article online
From Plows to Plates - The 2025 International Plowing Match Returns to Niagara Friday, September 12, 2025 For the first time since 1926, the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM) is returning to the Niagara Region Setpember 16 to 20. Set to take place in West Lincoln, the 106th edition of this iconic event will run under the theme “,” celebrating the deep roots and fresh flavours of... Read this article online
Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington Friday, September 12, 2025 On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online
York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program Thursday, September 11, 2025 A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online
Corn and Soybean Diseases Spread This Season Wednesday, September 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, as well as in previous articles by Farms.com, the 2025 growing season is nearing its end with corn and soybean farmers in Ontario and the U.S. Corn Belt facing disease challenges that reflect changing weather conditions. For corn, two... Read this article online