|
|
Reminder: Conference Sponsor Packages are Live!
|
|
Labour Needs Assessment Survey
We're looking to learn more about the barriers, capacity, and overall needs of Canada's organic workforce. If you own, operate, or work on a certified organic farm, you can help make recommendations for decision makers and organic stakeholders to address the sector's needs.
Owners and operators can help by filling out the Farm Operator's Labour Needs Survey and workers can fill out the Farm Worker Labour Needs Survey.
|
|
|
|
Respondents who complete the surveys will also get a chance to win various prizes! Farm workers can choose to enter to win 1 of 4 cash prizes (3 $50 prizes and 1 $100 prize) and farm operators can enter to win a Gro-Bark soil testing package or a $250 cash prize! Prizes are available only to residents of Ontario.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Labour Focus Group
OCO is hosting a series of labour related focus groups this September, and we’d love to hear from you.
- The first will be a roundtable discussion on September 8th on the apprentice/volunteer labour in organic agriculture. This will include themes of equity, farmer resources, training, and education.
- The second focus group, taking place on September 21st, will explore the opportunities challenges for integrating a set of fair labour practices into the organic sector and will incorporate broader topics like global and domestic labour equity, operator needs, worker needs, and certifier needs.
Please contact us to get involved.
|
|
|
OCO's Response to the CFIA's Exemption Proposal for GE
The CFIA has recently proposed a new regulatory guidance which would allow companies to introduce and sell many new genetically engineered seeds and plants produced through gene editing techniques, without oversight. You can read OCO’s official response to the CFIA’s exemption proposal on our website. |
|
New Organic Climate Solutions Post
We recently released a new Organic Climate Solutions post! You can read about the FAO’s recent webcast on Sound Fertilization for Food Security in the Context of the Current Crisis and what that means for global value chains and the mass production of food within the agricultural sector on the OCO website. |
|
Canada's Expected Organic Yields in 2022
Want to know the latest market trends in the organic world? Organic Biz’ Adam Peleshaty breaks down this year’s expected organic crop yields in Canada in their latest article.
You can find out which crops and provinces are set to have a successful yield in 2022 - and which will be facing a challenge - on their website.
|
|
|
Feast On Certification Program
Feast On is the largest and longest running local food certification program that recognizes businesses committed to sourcing and celebrating Ontario grown food and drink.
If you're interested in building our local food identity, putting money back into our communities and limiting our environmental impact, organic vendors can sign up to be a Certified Feast On Purveyor today.
|
|
|
|
Using Less Fertilizer
Nitrogen fertilizers are known for their high costs, but a recent study by researchers at the University of California found a way to reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizers needed to grow cereal crops. The discovery could help cereal farmers save a significant amount of money annually as well as benefit the environment.
You can read more about this finding in OrganicBiz' article.
|
|
Celebrate Organic Week!
The country's biggest organic celebration will be taking place from September 12 to 18, 2022. Organic organizations across Canada will be hosting a number of events, so keep an eye out for these announcements!
You can learn more about Organic Week on the Canada Organic Trade Association's website.
|
|
|
Southbrook Organic Vineyard: Open House
Visit Southbrook Organic Vineyard’s open house on September 17th in Niagara to taste and tour the first wine estate in Canada to earn both organic and biodynamic certification for its vineyard and winery.
You can read more about the event and get your tickets here.
|
|
|
OFA Webinar
On September 8th, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is hosting an upcoming webinar, By the Numbers: Profiling Your Agri-Food Sector Using Impactful Stats. The webinar will cover various aspects of Ontario’s agricultural sector and highlight a number of resources to learn more.
You can find details on the webinar, including how to register, on Sustain Ontario's website.
|
|
|
From input strategies to pest management, the latest studies by Organic Science Cluster Researchers from the Organic Federation propose solutions to some of organic’s biggest challenges:
|
|
|
These and other important facts can be found in OCO's Data Portal! OCO members can access data, research and reports on the organic sector by login into OCO's Data Portal. If you need support accessing your account, please be in touch with communications@organiccouncil.ca
|
|
Classifieds
Leading member:
|
|
|
|
|
|
