Iroquois ON - The Iroquois Golf Course was smelling mighty fine as Organic Lamb and Porc cooked.   It was a Five Mile meal served with local Vegetables, Fruits, and meet provided by Waratah Downs Organic Farm, 11211 Rowen Rd, Iroquois, Ontario.   Some amazing organic cheese from New Care Eco Farms Peter and Maria Biemond rounded out an amazing meal.

The head speaker was Mr. Tom Manley of Homestead Organics who discussed the ready availability of local food, the choice and selection available, and the benefits not only in quality, but in having an organic economical impact by having local food producers supporting local communities.

The evening was co-ordinated by The Seaway Referral Network.  For more information you can contact PJ Robertson by clicking their link.

MPP Jim Brownell was in attendance, and we’ll be adding video shortly.

To find out more about local foods check out SD&G Farm Fresh! And when you’re in Cornwall check out the super amazing local foods at The Farmers’ Market in George Assaly Lane every Saturday morning or your nearest Farmers’ Market and remember to make sure the food you’re buying is local!

Jim Brownell at event.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=saBI7TgTYhw

Tom Manley excerpts from Key Note Speech.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjGHWx60l5Q

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Eco Farm Day 2011

Call for Presentations

Cornwall ON - Eco Farm Day, hosted by Canadian Organic Growers, Ottawa Chapter, is the leading learning and networking conference for organic agriculture in Eastern Ontario and beyond.

Last year’s 2010 edition hosted Wayne Roberts as our keynote speaker on the theme of Local Food, with 12 excellent workshops, over 35 exhibitors, a wonderful Friday evening gala, and over 250 participants. Last year’s program and some past presentations are available online at www.ecofarmday.ca.

The next edition is scheduled for Saturday, February 26^th, 2011, again in Cornwall, Ontario. Visit us athttp://www.choosecornwall.ca/.

This is a call for presentations from educators, researchers, farmers, practitioners, suppliers, and anyone else with a good educational subject or experience to share with organic farmers. There is excellent research happening in organic agriculture in Canada. There are also many lessons learned on farms as operators improve their performance. Surely, there must be lots of useful material to present to farmers in their life-long need for ongoing education.

What information can you offer to organic farmers to help them improve their overall performance? We need a keynote speaker and 12 workshop presentations divided along the 4 subject streams of field crops, livestock, market gardening, and general interest.

A workshop that you presented in past years is still very relevant. It is valuable to recycle some workshops to include new material and to offer it to people who missed it the first time.

Perhaps you know of a presenter or subject. Perhaps you attended an interesting workshop recently that we need to know about. Please send us the referral.

A donation of speaking time to COG Ottawa is most appreciated. Otherwise, Eco Farm Day offers a speaker’s fee of $200 for each workshop, more for the keynote presentation. This can be paid cash or exchanged for an exhibit space for your business or institution. As many speakers are fairly local, Eco Farm Day does not normally pay for traveling; however, opportunities exist to fund distant speakers of particular interest to our audience.

Thank you.

Tom Manley
Chair – Eco Farm Day
1 Union Street, Berwick On K0C 1G0
613-984-0480
fax 613-984-0481

tom@homesteadorganics.ca

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Cornwall ON - Letter to the Editor – Jeff Leggat vs Monsanto

Letter to the Editor,

Have you heard of the multinational chemical corporation Monsanto?  Did you know it is currently threatening to destroy the Canadian agricultural economy?

This is the company that brought you Agent Orange, Genetically Modified Organisms, carcinogenic herbicides, PCBs and DDTs!  Monsanto has a history of developing poisons, acids, plastics, biological warfare agents, bovine growth hormones and proudly participated in the Manhattan project – the creation of nuclear weapons!

Monsanto’s disgraceful legal “bullying” of family farmers, aggressive political lobbying tactics, repeated public lies and ongoing contamination of the environment has “caused them to be considered the least ethical and most environmentally unconscious corporation in the world.”

This company employs about 300 people in Canada and is based in Winnipeg.  With a slick website and millions of dollars to spend wiping out “organic” crops around the world, Monsanto will eventually own the world’s food source! Am I kidding?  A single corporation owning all food? Canadian farmers are being financially destroyed by an American company?

If you don’t already know, Monsanto is the company that created “Roundup”, the highly commercialized and toxic herbicide that causes liver damage, significant decrease in production of the male sexual hormones and a significant increase in miscarriages.

We should all be aware that Bill C-474 currently sits before the House of Commons Agriculture hearings.  This bill is designed to protect our farmers against Monsanto and could finally stop its profit motivated destruction of our natural and toxic free landscape.

Please Canada, lets protect our food, our health and our Canadian farmers!  Research Monsanto – look it up on Wikipedia! Research Bill C-474 and understand that Monsanto creates products so dangerous they are banned in many countries throughout Europe.

Monsanto – you are not welcome in Canada! Take your poisons elsewhere.

Jeff Leggat - Maple Bay, B.C.

(Comments and opinions of Editorials, Letters to the Editor, and comments from readers are purely their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of the owners of the Cornwall Free News, their staff, or sponsors.

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Cornwall ON - I had a chance to pop by the 11th Annual South Stormont Chamber of Commerce Trade show at the Long Sault Arena last night.    Reg Coffey of Coffey’s Coffee has his magical brews waiting to go.  Reg will also be calling in with reports on Seawayradio.com starting at 10AM !

There are over 60 vendors and exhibitors at the show including the Mechanical Cow from the Ontario Milk producers who also are offering up free samples of Ice Cream and Chocolate Milk!

Admission is FREE and there are tons of activities.  It’s a family friendly event with free chocolate milk for the kids, and some amazing displays like Rudy Tabak’s 16×24 Model Train set up and a mechanical cow from the Ontario Dairy Producers that actually can be milked!

Dale of Tron Data and Reg of Coffey’s Coffee Milk the Mechanical Cow!

Show Hours today are 9-5 PM!

Some of the participants and displays that will be present include Benson Automotive, St. Lawrence Parks, Cars from KIA , Wine makers & Wineries,  Shannoncourt Kennels, Investment Companies, Home Improvement companies, Lawyers, Building Contractors, Personnel Care companies, Spas, Travel Agents.  Just about something for everyone!

The team from Fence Depot of Cornwall who won best prize for Booth Image!

There’ll even be Roasted BBQ Pork Sandwiches and more to munch on!  Coffey’s Coffee, one of the only Coffee Roasters in the region will be on site as well.    And for you technology minded people interested in learning more Tron Data & Computers will be there as well!

The Fire Department, Ontario Provincial Police, and Ontario Power Generation who’ll have a working display.

Long Sault is minutes from Cornwall Ontario.  Exit from Highway 401 and take just off of Highway number 2.  It’s a great day trip from Montreal, Ottawa and even from over the Border.

For more information visit the website for the South Stormont Chamber of Commerce!

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Local Farm Receives Top Producer Award in Toronto

Terryland Farms Receives 2010 Producer of the Year Award for Agri-business excellence!

Toronto, ON – George and Linda Heinzle of Terryland Farms were awarded the Producer of the Year Award at the opening night reception of the 2010 Canadian International Farm Show.  Heinzle’s received their award in the
presence of a crowd of farmers, exhibitors, and other industry stakeholders.

The Producer of the Year Award is an annual award provided by the Canadian International Farm Show which recognizes excellence in farm operations or any sort of agri-business.  Winners are considered to have contributed to
the betterment of the industry, demonstrating innovation and business practices that maximize productivity and profitability.

“We were extremely pleased with the high caliber nominations that were received for our 2010 Producer of the Year Award and winners definitely demonstrate agricultural innovation at its finest in the province of Ontario,” said show manager Rob Etmanski.  ”It’s our hope that by singling out some of the best producers in the province, it will ultimately allow the leaders to encourage others with their innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in their farm practice and perhaps share their knowledge with the entire farming community.”

George and Linda farm 550 acres in St. Eugene, Ontario.  In 2007, Heinzle’s built an anaerobic digester to add value to their 150 dairy farm operation.  The methane gas produced from manure and locally acquired food processing
wastes is burned in a combustion engine powering a generator which feeds power to the grid, producing power for 100 homes. Heinzle’s have recently added a second generator to double their current electrical production.  For
their hydro production, Heinzle’s get paid $24,000 per month by Hydro One for their on-farm power production.  Not only does Heinzle’s biodigester make economic sense – the system plays its part for the environment by reducing pathogens by 98% and helps keep peace with the neighbours by reducing manure odours by 90%.

The Heinzles have also recently installed an oil pressing system that adds value to their farm-grown soybeans.  The Ontario-built Energrow press produces a freshly pelleted soybean meal while extracting value-added oil directly
on-farm.  George and Linda use the extracted oil for fuel on the farm as a mix with diesel fuel.  ”What I like about the system is that I can feed my 250 cows fresh feed daily and my crops don’t go through so many hands,” says George Heinzle, “We are more self sufficient and less market dependent.”

To further this need for self sufficiency, Heinzle’s are planning to mount solar panels on their farm’s south-facing barn and buildings.  These panels will produce an additional 100kw, to power even more homes.   ”Heinzle’s drive for self-sustainability and adapting new innovations sets a standard for other farmers” says Jasmin Hofer of Energrow Inc. who nominated Terryland Farms for the award. “Their readiness to move ahead for self sufficiency, while reducing environmental impacts is something to be recognized.”

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Dr. Wayne Roberts, Tom Manley & Gaye Hamilton

Cornwall On – Today the SD&G Food Council hosted a workshop on an SDG local food movement at the Ramada Inn in Cornwall. The event was organized by Tom Manley of Homestead Organics and was funded by the SD&G Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC), represented by Gay Hamilton.

The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Wayne Roberts. Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Roberts coordinates the Toronto Food Policy Council (TFPC) and he was there to share his experiences with the TFPC. He also shared his knowledge of the emerging social food movement which encompasses the organic, food security, buy local, farmers markets movements to name a few and green economics.

Dr. Roberts believes that the era of transporting basic food items from long distances will come to an end and that traditional growing areas around the world will change due to climactic changes that we are already seeing evidence of. The establishment of a local Food Council is a way to proactively respond to the coming changes and to help implement many ethical changes in the way food in produced and distributed in the SD&G area.

The session was well attended by concerned individuals who represented local food producers/processors, several levels of government, community organizations as well as several private citizens simply concerned with the state of our food supply.

Everyone in attendance was part of a consultation to help define the role and structure of the council and possible future programs that the council should become involved in.

Another issue discussed was who should be selected to lead the Food Council in those identified endeavours. The results of the workshop will be summarized and distributed to those in attendance and then the Food Council can incorporate the recommended changes.

Eco Farm Day takes place today, Saturday February 27, 2010 at the Ramada Inn, Cornwall Ontario.  Seawayradio.com will be broadcasting live from the event.

Photo & Story by Reg Coffey

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Tom Manley hosted a lovely evening at his own homestead this past Saturday evening.   Featured were fine fresh foods from local producers, some amazing local wine, and Beau’s Brew.    Even the coffee had a local flavour as the beans were freshly roasted locally from Reg Coffey of Coffey’s Coffee. (Tom pictured with his partner Isabelle Masson)

Isabelle and Tom spent the day preparing some amazing treats include a Red Deer Stew, A tofu stew, locally prepared cold cuts, and the most amazing cheese I’ve had in a long time!

The party, attended by about twenty local friends and family was a lovely time.  Good food, good company, some lovely wine, and a clear starry winter’s night.

For more information about local foods you can check out Homestead Organics or SD&G Farm Fresh

And just a reminder that Eco Farm Day is coming up fast!  Tom is chair of this year’s event taking place February 26-27 here in Cornwall Ontario.

Eco Farm Day is hosted by Canadian Organic Growers – Ottawa Chapter.  COG is the national voice for organics in Canada. COG Ottawa, with over 500 members, hosts major activities to the benefit of organic consumers and farmers.

Their mission is to lead local and national communities towards sustainable organic stewardship of land, food and fibre while respecting nature, upholding social justice and protecting natural resources.

For more information about the Canadian Organic Growers and the Ottawa Chapter click HERE

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Here are your Farm News Quick Hits for Tuesday December 1, 2009

Cash Cost Spike Causes Crunch

“especially frustrated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and its double standard on pesticides. On the one hand, Canadian farmers are denied access to cost-saving chemicals that are routinely available in the U.S. and elsewhere, yet the agency does nothing to prevent fruits and vegetables treated with these compounds from coming across the border.”

That makes sense to me.  If it’s not good enough for our Ontario farmers it shouldn’t be good enough for our stores.

Ontario Grape Crop More Raisin that Grape

Food Inc. Movie Review

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0

“As the movie states these ‘fresh’ tomatoes are nominal tomatoes — they represent the idea of a tomato.Tomatoes in our grocery stores are no longer bred or raised for taste or nutritional value, but rather to give us the memory of a tomato. Anyone who has ever had a fresh tomato picked from a garden and compared that to the cardboard-like things available in our grocery stores knows that what they are experiencing is just the hint of a memory of what a tomato should taste like.”

Ontario Corn Crop Questions for 2009

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The Cornwall Free News is proud to welcome our latest sponsor.  EOSolutions.ca JM Vincelli & David Scott are authorized dealers for KVAR Energy Controllers.

If you have a farm, or small workshop, or simply have a lot of machinery running in your home this device is geared to save you some money.

There are a myriad of motors running in your home.  From washing machines & dishwashers, to dvd players, to workshop tools.   If you go from room to room in your home you’d probably surprise yourself with how many small motors are running.

If you have a workshop, or run a farm the savings grow, and if you run a small machine shop or factory the savings add up fast especially if you don’t live in Cornwall and have to pay Hydro One.

How much would you pay to save 10-15% per month in Hydro usage and shrink your carbon footprint?

For more information about what JM & David can do for you visit their website today or you can call them at 613.362.4257

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Boy Turbines are a hot political topic on both sides of the border.  If you drive on Highway 11 in Upstate NY it looks like a bit of a Stanley Kubrick movie as these massive turbines gently turn in the wind.

L I N K Here in Ontario the government has embraced them as an energy source of the future, but there seems to be a lot of resistance to them. ( MPP CALLS FOR MORITORIUM) Is it just politics?  Is it a NIMBY issue?   What do you think Cornwall?

The US Corn Crop is on pace for a record yield which should be good for everyone from the Bio Fuel industry to those cereal and soft drink makers.   L I N K

“The latest USDA production report pegs the expected average yield at a record 164.2 bushels based on conditions on Oct. 1.

That would result in the second highest corn production ever, 13.0 billion bushels, USDA says. That forecast is slightly higher than last month’s outlook and would be an 8% increase over 2008.”

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