          
 
CONTACT US
|
Announcements affecting BC and Canadian Farmers |
 |
Career Focus Program
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
The Career Focus Program will contribute $864,000 annually to projects that employ recent graduates in agriculture, agri-food, agri-food science and veterinary medicine. Each approved project will be eligible to receive 50% of total eligible costs, up to a maximum of $20,000 in matching funds. Applications are processed through rounds and on a first come, first served basis pending availability of funds. .
More information
Sixth Organic Seed Growers Conference, Invitation for Input & Proposals
January 19 - 21, 2012. Port Townsend, Washington
In preparation for the 2012 conference, we are seeking input from diverse stakeholders in the organic seed community. Suggestions for content and proposals for presentations, posters, panels and roundtable discussions must be submitted by July 1, 2011. Applicants will be notified by August 1, 2011.
More information
Expiration of Stream Of Commerce and Enforcement Policy - March 10, 2011
Canada's Organic Products Regulations came into effect on June 30, 2009. Since then, the CFIA has been managing the regulations through the Stream of Commerce and Enforcement Policy. This two-year implementation policy was designed to allow producers to make the adjustments required to become fully compliant with the regulations.
The Stream of Commerce and Enforcement Policy will expire on June 30, 2011, and will be replaced by standard CFIA compliance and enforcement activities. These include the following:
- detaining non-compliant products and/or removing them from store shelves
- correcting non-compliant labelling
- returning non-compliant imported products to the country of origin
More information
Canada Farm Business Management Council Agriwebinars™
Webinars are a web-based conference bringing the expertise of today's agricultural leaders that will inform and inspire you from the comfort of your home or office. No travel, no cost, no reason to miss out! Agriwebinar™ is free and anyone can participate as long as they have a computer and an Internet connection. Even computers connected by a dial-up service can participate.
More information
Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) Program
A financial loan guarantee program that gives farmers easier access to credit. Farmers can use these loans to establish, improve, and develop farms; while Agricultural co-operatives may also access loans to process, distribute, or market the products of farming. The CALA program builds on and replaces the previous Farm Improvement and Marketing Co-operative Loans Act (FIMCLA) program, which has helped farming operations grow their businesses by guaranteeing loans issued through financial institutions since 1988.
More information
Organic Products Regulations final edition posted on the Canada Gazette web site:
New Canadian Organic Products Regulations web site (March 23, 2009)
The Canada Organic Office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has published its new Organic Products Regulations website, featuring essential information on the upcoming regulations and enforcement policy.
Details
New Software Helps Farmers Benchmark for Success
June 2, 2006 - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has released the latest version of its Benchmark for Success CD. This free, easy-to-use program allows producers to assess the financial performance of their farm against other similar-sized operations.
More Information
National Farmers Union Seed Savers Campaign
The rights of farmers and other Canadians to save, reuse, exchange, and sell seeds are under attack. The NFU is fighting back for our rights. Please see the NFU Seeds Factsheets for an overview of this issue and for information on the NFU's campaign and how you can get involved. Also, please consider collecting names on our petition.
More Information
Scholarships for Organic Inspector Training.
The Independent Organic Inspectors Association accepts applications for the annual Andrew Rutherford Scholarship Award, which provides full tuition for an IOIA-sponsored organic inspector training course during the following year. Both prospective and experienced inspectors are eligible to apply for the Rutherford Scholarship. It is awarded to an individual on the basis of need and potential as judged by the IOIA Scholarship Committee. Applicants can choose to attend any IOIA-sponsored training. The Scholarship pays for tuition, room and board but does not cover transportation or other expenses. The late Andrew Rutherford was a farmer, organic inspector, and organic agriculture researcher from southern Saskatchewan. He served on IOIA's initial steering committee and then several years as a Founding Board Member.
IOIA also offers an annual Organic Community Initiative Scholarship (OCIS), which provides full tuition for an IOIA-sponsored basic organic inspector training during the following year. It is awarded to an individual on the basis of need and their potential to have a positive impact on their regional organic community. The Organic Community Initiative Scholarship is only open to applicants from outside of the US or Canada. Applicants can choose to attend any basic IOIA-sponsored training. The scholarship pays for tuition, room and board but does not cover transportation or other expenses.
Details |
