Organic Council of Ontario
5420 Highway 6 North Suite 232 N1H 6J2 Guelph, ON, Canada

There is still time to register! On Nov. 19th at 1:00 pm join OCO & Julianna from Promosaurus for this webinar focusing on identifying, understanding, and catering to your businesses' target market and the tools needed to reach your audience effectively. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/marketing-your-organic-farm-pro

The Organic Council of Ontario is your one-stop-shop for organic information. We are excited to have launched our Ontario Organic Data Portal in 2020!The Portal has a whole host of info about organics in Ontario. Here’s what you need to know:Organic farmers are increasing, Organic crops are becoming more valuable and the sector as whole is healthy and strong. https://directory.organiccouncil.ca/data

OCO's President Rob Wallbridge met with Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman and his staff to present them with key organic priorities which would help support the sector in Ontario. It was an important opportunity to make sure the needs of the organic sector were heard amidst the on going hard-ships and volatilities felt by producers in the wake of Covid-19. Read about the priorities and key messages shared in the meeting here: http://ow.ly/9UqP50CgOuw

OCO is a proud Supporting Partner of the EFAO conference and this year more than ever, it’s important to take pause, plant our roots, reconnect, and get inspired by how we can reach new heights together. You can do just that at the Virtual EFAO Conference 2020! Enjoy a series of informative sessions on topics like the Economics of Regenerative Agriculture, Climate and Agriculture, Virtual Farm Tours, and much, much more. There will be plenty of fun ways to connect with your ...peers and have a little fun, despite the distance. Hope to see you there! Full program and registration details at conference.efao.ca. Early bird pricing ends Nov. 23rd! #efao2020 #EFAO #ecologicalfarming #farmerledresearch #ontag #ecologicalagriculture

It's conference season folks! Register now for the 7th annual virtual Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario - EFAO conference. This year's theme is Rooted & Reaching which speaks to farmers’ connection to land and community, even in these uncertain times, while also recognizing the need and desire to reach further for a more ecological, healthy and just agriculture and food system in Ontario. Register here: https://conference.efao.ca/register/ Find the program summary here: https://conference.efao.ca/program-overview/

A new public comment period is open from now until December 2nd on proposed answers to various questions raised by organic stakeholders regarding the National Standards for Organic Agriculture. Read the questions and answers here: http://ow.ly/HgTu50CatBF Please send any comments to [email protected] to have your say.

This app could be a game changer for organic farmers looking to streamline their mandated record keeping. We look forward to see how the service grows and progresses. http://ow.ly/r1p650CpcyT #LiteFarm #canadaorganics

Loved reading this recap on organics, nutrition and health from our neighbours to the south @RodaleInstitute and read about their on-going work to sort out fact from fiction in the sector. http://ow.ly/MJh050CosXc #organics #rodaleinstitute

The NFU November workshop series begins tomorrow! Join natural systems expert Dr. Martin Entz to learn how agroecological solutions can be applied to every farm..., big or small. Registration in all workshops is free! Learn more and sign up before it's too late: https://www.nfu.ca/conf-session/agroecology-fits/

It's not too late to sign up for the Regenerative Dairy Field Day with Upper Canada Creamery tomorrow! Watch the pre-recorded tour with some popcorn tonight and then join the live discussion and Q+A at 1 pm tomorrow, Thursday Oct. 15th. Don't miss this opportunity to see behind the scenes of a grassfed dairy that processes their own products including milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream! Owners Joshua and Ellen Biemond will discuss food security, the economic viability of gr...assfed dairy, and show you the process from pasture to product. Register here: https://efao.ca/event/regenerative-dairy/ Presented in partnership by OCO and Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario - EFAO, with support from Canadian Organic Growers.

Organic is booming in the US a good sign that represents a significant financial opportunity in Canada. Let's replace US organic imports with Ontario-grown organic goodness! https://www.agriculture.com//organic-agriculture-sales-up-

Yes! Organic farmers have been avoiding the use of nitrogen fertilizers since before the Canadian Organic Standards were created in 2009. While not every farmer may be ready to certify organic, we're happy to see that more and more farmers are becoming aware of the impact of the use of nitrogen fertilizers on the climate. Here's hoping the governments of Ontario and Canada hear this message loud and clear.

A compromise about feed supplements and vaccines in the COS - read more about it in the weekly preview from the OFC's Countdown to the publication of the 2020 Canadian Organic Standards here: https://www.organicfederation.ca//200930%20InfoBio%20Lives

Agriculture is the leading human-made cause of nitrous oxide emissions, says a new study in Nature. Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than... carbon dioxide. It represents 30-40% of emissions from Canadian agriculture, mostly from nitrogen fertilizer use. And in Canada, nitrogen fertilizer use has doubled since 1993. Many farmers and ranchers are already working to cut down nitrous oxide emissions through cover cropping, crop rotations, fertilizer optimization and more. But if Canada is serious about reducing its climate impact, we urgently need the government to support us in scaling up and expanding these practices. Here’s how they can support https://farmersforclimatesolutions.ca/policy-solutions

Did you see this preview from the OFC's Countdown to the publication of the 2020 Canadian Organic Standards? Read details on the final decision to prohibit 100% artificial lighting and the exceptions here: https://www.organicfederation.ca//200922%20InfoBio%20light

Interesting free webinar from the Rodale Institute on improving organic pastured pork production. Thursday October 8th at 2pm ET Register here: https://rodaleinstitute.org//webinar-manure-and-pasture-m/

Interested in learning more about regenerative agriculture?! Check out the Fall Field Day Series - virtual events taking place on October 13, 15, 20, 22. Hosted by OCO in partnership with Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario - EFAO and with support from Canadian Organic Growers Learn more & register: https://www.organiccouncil.ca/join-us-for-the-fall-field-d/

Announcing the Fall Field Day Series - An exciting series of virtual field days that will delve into regenerative practices on Ontario farms. Participants will watch pre-recorded tours and then join an engaging live discussion and Q+A session. Events include: Regenerative Agriculture on Diversified Farms - Oct. 13, 1pm... Regenerative Dairy - Oct. 15th, 11am Collaborative Farm Sales - Oct. 20, 1pm Measuring Regeneration with Ecological Indicators - Oct. 22, 11am Learn more & register: https://www.organiccouncil.ca/join-us-for-the-fall-field-d/

Want to stay connected? Sign up for our interest specific mailing lists that include; organic standards, regenerative agriculture, education, training & funding opportunities - and more. Stay in the loop! Register & select interests that matter to you: https://mailchi.mp/organiccouncil/e-news-signup

The data shows that Canadians are buying more organic products year over year, even during a global pandemic, - Read the full article to find out why "consumers are making choices that align with their health priorities and values. https://www.fruitandveggie.com/consumers-turning-to-organic

OCO is Hiring! We are looking for a Communications and Membership Manager. Interested applicants can apply by sending a cover letter and resume to Laura Northey at [email protected] by October 9, 2020. Read the full job description here: https://www.goodwork.ca//communications-jobs-and-marketing

Looking to try some new organic beverages? Some wonderful OCO members get a shout out in this article. Looks like a trend . . . http://ow.ly/Zstf50BylQd

Wondering how to start an online store? How to make your farm and family -- not just your products -- a focus of your marketing strategy? We're planning an online workshop to help you figure out how to market your business in a time of Covid! Respond to this poll to let us know what you'd be interested in learning about. Registration opening soon. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CYJVX8K

We're thrilled to be a part of a coalition of groups working to make agricultural Climate Solutions central on the political agenda! Incredible work from Farmers For Climate Solutions - Fermiers pour la transition climatique here, getting farmers and ranchers mentioned in the Speech from the Throne yesterday.