New artisanal chicken program a hit with growers Thursday, February 18, 2016 by SUSAN MANNThe first 80 farms to be accepted into Chicken Farmers of Ontario’s Artisanal Chicken program should be starting to produce chickens under the program this spring, and many of them will be seasonal growers.The Artisanal Chicken program is for small-scale, non-quota holding farmers who want to grow 600 to 3,000 chickens annually for specific markets that they’ve identified. It was launched last year “with the expressed goal of helping to address gaps in the existing consumer marketplace for locally-grown chicken,” according to a Feb. 16 Chicken Farmers news release.About 100 people applied to the program by the September 2015 deadline, and now Chicken Farmers has opened up the application process again to receive more applications. Of the previous applicants, Chicken Farmers is still working with some of them and continuing the process of reviewing their applications, says Michael Edmonds, Chicken Farmers communications and government relations director.The average request for each of the 80 farmers receiving approval under the program is to grow 1,800 chickens, Edmonds says. Their farms are located throughout Ontario, including 15 in the east, 20 in the north, 16 in the central region and 29 in the west.“We don’t have many farmers producing conventional chicken in the north so we’re very pleased by the number of applicants from northern Ontario that are looking to get into this program,” he says. “There’s been a lot of excitement about the announcement (of the program’s launch) in northern Ontario.”Edmonds says this first-time run through the application process went smoothly. “We’re excited about the variety of applications that have come in and the different markets those farmers are looking to fill – everything from local food markets to working with specialty butcher stores. Some farmers (under the program) are looking to increase their farm gate sales.”Before the program was developed, small-scale farmers who didn’t buy quota could only grow 300 birds a year for home consumption or farm-gate sales, the release says.Edmonds says five per cent of Ontario’s annual chicken market growth will be allocated to the Artisanal Chicken program. BF Southwestern Ontario's land prices continue their climb upward: report Weak dollar, cheap oil expected to boost farm income
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