NL Organic Pioneers Judy & (the late) Jon Lien celebrated with Gerrit Loo Award

Newfoundland organic farmers, Judy and the late Jon Lien, were presented at the November 2011 ACORN Conference with the Gerritt Loo Award honouring outstanding contribution to the organic farming community. A delegation of ten organic producers and community gardeners from Newfoundland & Labrador – part of the 500 participants taking part in this annual event – honoured these pioneers during the gala event held on November 12, 2011.

In her nomination of the Liens, organic farmer Melba Rabinowitz wrote “although Jon was the driving force behind the gentle fields and the structural development of the farm… it was Judy’s persistence that turned the small family farm operation into a successful, ethical, community-oriented business that lots of people came to rely on and trust.”

Join us in honouring Judy – an exceptional organic farmer and mentor, teacher, mother, friend.

Dates to put on your calendar, and more

Nov.11-13th: ACORN’s Annual Organic Conference & Trade Show!  This year, ACORN-NL applied for and got funding from Growing Forward to help send NL organic farmers to participate in this signature event. Hope you’ve registered – it’s always a terrific event. At last count, we have nine reps from NL participating! 

Dec.9^th: TheNewfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture (NLFA) will be hosting its annual Christmas Social on December 9 at7:30pm at the Governor’sInn inSt. John’s (great spot – see you there!). 

New on the bookshelf: Eco-Innovators: Sustainability in Atlantic Canada… a new release from Nimbus Publishing written by Halifax journalist and author Chris Benjamin, is a “collection of stories profiling some of Atlantic Canada’s most innovative and forward-thinking leaders in sustainability…Benjamin’s profiles get to the heart of his subjects’ relationship with the concept of sustainability, and the personal philosophies that in turn sustain their efforts.”

Eco-Innovators features two ACORN-NL members including: Alison Dyer (St. John’s/Hants Hbr-TB) environmental journalist and sustainable food advocate; and artist-organic farmer Colette Urban of McIvers, Nfld. Copies will be available at upcoming ACORN Conference.

Dec.1^st: deadline for nominations to the Newfoundland & Labrador Federation of Agriculture’s i) Atlantic Hall of Fame 2011 and ii) Environmental Award for 2011. Awards to be presented at the NLFA’s AGM in Gander (Jan 25-26, 2012). For information, contact Christa Wright at christa@nlfa.ca.

see you (hopefully) this weekend at this conference! Alison

More progressive organic policies announced across the pond

Support for Farmers to convert to Organic Farming announced in Wales

Farmers who are converting or who plan to convert to Organic Farming can
now apply for support from the Welsh Government. For more on this story, visit:
<http://www.smallholder.co.uk/news/9285939.Support_for_Farmers_to_convert_to_Organic_Farming_announced_in_Wales/>

Organic Value Chain Roundtable – Your input by Oct.7th

Help grow Canada ’s Organic Sector

Please voice your opinion by October 7, 2011

 

OTTAWA, September 22, 2011 — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada ’s Organic Value Chain Roundtable (OVCRT) has formed a task force to brand the Canadian organic sector. This brand initiative will help identity the sector’s attributes in an effort to differentiate it from competing industries, and strengthen and grow the sector within Canada .

 

The OVCRT would like to solicit input from organic stakeholders on what communication tools are necessary to improve the organic sector. It has developed an online survey to capture the different needs and challenges facing this diverse group. Data from this survey will help establish a marketing and communication plan for the organic sector that fits the needs of its various constituents.

 

The OVCRT is requesting members of the organic sector to participate in this 15-minute survey, as their responses are invaluable to the branding process and essential to improving and growing the organic industry in Canada . We appreciate your immediate response to this survey, which ends on October 7, 2011.

 

We encourage you to distribute this survey to your members and post the links on your website to make this study as inclusive as possible.

 

Survey Link:

The anonymous survey can be found here:

 

English version:

http://app.fluidsurveys.com/surveys/shiklac/canadian-organics/langeng/

 

French version:

http://app.fluidsurveys.com/surveys/shiklac/canadian-organics/langfra/

 

For more information please contact:

Dennis Doermer

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Dennis.Doermer@AGR.GC.CA

613-773-0180

 

Jean-Pierre Lacroix

Shikatani Lacroix Inc.

jplacroix@sld.com

416-367-1999

 

About the Organic Value Chain Roundtable (OVCRT) The OVCRT was launched in 2006 to build a shared understanding of its competitive position in the marketplace, create consensus on how to improve it, and put plans into action. Its members represent a wide cross section of the Canadian organic sector including producers, processors, distributors, retailers and exporters.

http://www.ats-sea.agr.gc.ca/rt-tr/index-eng.htm

 

The Organic Farm on CBC TV

After decades of experimenting with seed varieties, working on soil fertility, testing methods of growing both inside greenhouses and out, advising countless people on everything organic, creating value-added products (like micro greens and edible flowers), and providing fresh, healthy produce for many families, the Rabinowitz’ and their Organic Farm operation will be the focus of a CBC Television special this weekend.

It is bound to be informative, fun, celebratory. I have no details on exact date or time – so keep your ears tuned.

Alison

Grown Right Here: The value of local food

A Free Pippy Park Public Lecture

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011 at 7:30 PM at The Rocket Room (3rd floor at The Rocket Bakery, 272 Water St., St. John’s, NL)

See attached poster fPippy Park Lecture May 10, 2011or details.

Agricultural Land available; O’Brien Farm Foundation; Farm Grants

CROWN LAND for AGRICULTURAL LEASE (Land Consolidation Program)

Interested in getting farm land in eastern Newfoundland? DNR has a call for proposals from: existing commercial farmers, part-time commercial farmers, or new farmers in need of additional land to operate and develop for agricultural purposes.

Where? Grants Pit Area between Gambo and Traytown.

More information? contact Secretary Regional Selection Committee, DNR, tel: 709-256-1043

When? Proposals must be received by MAY 2, 2011, 4:30pm

O’BRIEN FARM FOUNDATION INC.

What: Call for expressions of interest for Foundation Board Members

Who: O’Brien Farm Foundation is a NFP, newly formed foundation. Seeking individuals who have expertise in fundraising, organic and heritage farming, heritage building conservation, and educational programming.

When: Send expression of interest with a resume on or before April 30, 2011 to:

Sharon D. Pippy, c/0 O’Brien Farm Foundation, 15 Mount Scio Rd, P.O. Box 8861, St. John’s, NL A1B 3T2

email: spippy@nl.rogers.com

And now…. the money: FARM GRANTS – Helping Farmers Harvest Money

for list of grants available to farmers, visit this wiki site created by ACORN (Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network) : http://farmgrants.wikispaces.com/

coming soon…. what local & organic farmers will be growing this summer for you

All the best for the season. And remember, if you have a question related to organic farming or growing in Newfoundland & Labrador, drop us a line, leave a message. That’s what we’re here for.

Alison

Local food map

The North East Avalon Regional RedBoard has issued a Buy Local! Buy Fresh map. We do not guarantee that the food from these farms is in any way organic. But if you are interested in local, check them out. The link is www.nearedb.ca/blbf

The shorts on March (we know you’re busy)

If you’re going to ACORN’s annual conference in Fredericton – you’re likely on your way there…(my toothbrush is packed)

Other stuff of interest? Let’s roll out the carpet:

1. NL Horticultural Producers Conference, Gander, March 16-17th. This is a great conference with info on some latest research, juicy workshops, meet other market producers. Register now.

2. NLFA AGM. Conveniently on Fri. March18th, Gander, following the NLHort.Producer’s Conference.

3. Avalon Agricultural Advantage Conference. March 24, The Wilds, Salmonier Line. Looking really exciting …a focussed one-day event on emerging issues & trends in agriculture… for info contact: Sarah Crocker (709) 753-5554

4. St. John’s Farmer’s Market – good ol’ CBC Land & Sea is doing a segment on the SJFM: See it on CBC TV this Sunday.

5. Job opportunity: St. John’s Farmer’s Market looking for Marketing Mgr; March 18th deadline.

6. Sources of local organic / free-range meat & poultry? We’re getting demands for same. Be sure to let us know and leave comment here.

I had a #7. Oh well, next time. You’ve enough to be getting along with.

Alison

Tis the season for… learning & networking

Lots of exciting learning opportunities this spring – and, of course, opportunities to meet old and new friends & farmers.

1. 11th Annual ACORN Organic Conference & Trade Show.  This year has an unbelievable lineup of headline speakers, 5-stream workshop sessions, a new organic farmer forum and so much more!

Where: Fredericton, NB

When: March 10-12

More info: 1-866-32-ACORN; www.acornorganic.org

2. NL Horticultural Producers Conference

Where: Gander

When: March 16 & 17

More info:

NL Hort Council

709-747-1378 office

hortnl.com

3. NLFA Annual General Meeting

Where: Gander

When: March 18

More info: info@nlfa.ca

And now, something to listen to: A Tale of Two Seed Farmers: Organic Vs. Engineered. Hear it here on NPR