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FORMER SPRINGFORD GRAIN ELEVATOR TO BE TURNED INTO ENERGY PLANT

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Agrilink

The community of Norwich in south Oxford County is getting a sneak peak at plans that are underway for the area’s first alternative energy manufacturer. Canadian Bio-Fuel from Chatham is unveiling their construction agenda for a former Cargill Elevator at Springford, near Tillsonburg that will be turning out 25,000 tonnes annually of wood pettets and brickettes as early as this summer.

The Township of Norwich gave planning approval for his change of use of the former elevator into his pellet manufacturing business. “A grain elevator has many of the same processes and storage facilities as we require so this is a great fit for us,” says Ian Moncrieff, President and C.E.O. of Canadian Bio Fuel.

Moncrieff told AgriLink today they will start off by turning waste wood, waxed cardboard and cardboard into finished product but his main supply in the future will come from area farmers when they start growing dedicated fuel crops for him to buy in the coming years.

Moncrieff sees about 5,000 acres of crop land dedicated to growing either, miscanthus grass, perennial hybrid willow, prairie grass or switchgrass for his plant to turn into energy pettets for operating everything from kitchen cook stoves, heating systems or indeed turning into steam generated electricity.

“I see in 2-3 years from now, farmers who used to grow tobacco on these sandy soils in this region, growing fuel crops which will be good for soil conservation and renewal and also for the farmer’s pocketbooks,” says Moncrieff. He estimates the return to be $400 per acre with very little input costs. Canadian Bio Fuel will be responsible for harvesting and trucking of the grass and wood products. The cost to the grower is in the first year will be for seed and seeding and some use of small quantities of nitrogen will be required in subsequent years.

Moncrieff’s company has been well supported by both senior governments in grants and loans as a way to provide revenue for farmers faced with the decline in the tobacco industry.

The Springford elevator has numerous grain bins and warehouse buildings which will be used for pellet and brickette manufacturer and storage. He sees the first year’s 25,000 tonnes annual capacity rising to 60,000 tonnes in 3 years and with a proposed supply contract with the Ontario Power Generation plant at Nanticoke, going to 100,000 tonnes.

Moncrieff says pellet plant operating costs are sensitive to transportation costs of the rather bulky grass and wood feed stocks. He estimates his plant could only receive raw product efficiently within a 50 km. radius. “With the first plant running well, our firm would look at building a second plant in the Simcoe area or indeed in Wallaceburg.

He estimates his Springford plant will employ 15-20 full time people and the seasonal harvest brigade about 30 more.
 
RIDGETOWN CAMPUS PROF GETS PROVINCIAL HONOURS
01/08/10

From a Release - The Ontario Agricultural College’s highest recognition for agricultural extension, the T.R. Hilliard Distinguished Agricultural Extension Award, was presented to Dr. Peter Sikkema at the Southwest Agricultural Conference last week at the Ridgetown Campus of the University of Guelph. This illustrious award, named in memory of the late T. R. Hilliard, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food, annually recognizes an individual whose agricultural work and results are extensively shared with producers, students and/or researchers for the benefit of Ontario agriculture.

“Dr. Sikkema is highly regarded locally, provincially, nationally and internationally for his applied research in field crop weed management. His work is respected by his academic peers, but more importantly is valued by Ontario growers and agribusiness for its real impact on agriculture crop protection” said Dr. Rob Gordon, Dean, OAC, who presented the award to Sikkema on behalf of the OAC Alumni Foundation. “For the past 20 years, Peter has annually made 25 -30 presentations to grower organizations, academic conferences, and special agricultural events. It is truly a pleasure to have Peter as a colleague in OAC and the University of Guelph.”

“I’m honoured to have the privilege to work in such a great industry in a capacity that allows me to enjoy academic research study, classroom teaching and field extension. I have an amazing staff team and I want to share this honour with each of them,” noted Sikkema.

Sikkema joined the Ridgetown Campus staff in 1988 and has developed one of the largest field crop weed management programs in North America.

Sharing his research knowledge with Ridgetown Campus agriculture diploma students is one of his favourite roles, and many alumni now contact Peter for sound and practical weed management advice for their farms.

Sikkema is a Professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph located at the University’s Ridgetown Campus.

“We all share in this celebration for Dr. Sikkema and his team at Ridgetown Campus. It is a much deserved honour,” said Dr. Art Schaafsma, Ridgetown Campus Director.




l-r, Dr. Rob Gordon, Dean, OAC & Dr. Peter Sikkema, Ridgetown Campus
 
FRESH MARKET WEBSITE TO BE SET UP IN CHATHAM-KENT
01/08/10
Planning is in the works for the launch of the new Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Chatham-Kent website. That word coming from Kent Federation of Agriculture spokesperson, Kathy Delanghe. She says the hard copy version has worked well the past four years and now it is time to make it virtual.

The organization sees a need to provide on-line information through a dedicated website. This opens up additional opportunities for local producers to promote their products. Purchasing farm products locally has lasting economic value for the region as well as giving consumers the inside scoop on where and how their food and other agriculture wares are produced.

The development of this website is possible thanks to the Ontario Marketing Investment Fund (OMIF) received from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). All producers, sponsors, and partners included in the 2009 map will be featured on our site. Plus, additional producers and sponsors are also welcomed to apply for inclusion on the new Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Chatham-Kent website. Anyone interested in more information should contact the Kent Federation of Agriculture at 519-674-1595 or kent@ofa.on.ca
 
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To view these articles online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink..._scoops.cfm
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TekTalk
25 QUICK ON-FARM ENERGY SAVING TIPS
01/11/10
From OMAFRA
Author: Elin Gwyn - Marketing and Communications Officer/OMAFRA

* Change from incandescent lighting to T-8 fluorescent lighting in your barns
* Use dimmers and motion sensors on your barn lights
* Match the size of the tractor to the size of implements
* Ensure that your equipment tires are inflated properly
* Follow the recommended maintenance schedule for your machinery and equipment
* Have tight fitting windows and doors in your farm buildings
* Seal windows with caulking and weather stripping.
* Insulate farm building outside walls with greater than R20 and ceiling greater than R30
* Find out about the potential of generating wind energy
* Look into anaerobic digestion of manure for green energy and reduced odour on your farm
* Explore opportunities for using solar energy around the farmstead or around the farm (powering electric fences and water pumps)
* Find out about using shelled corn as a heating fuel
* Change to a milk pre-cooler system to cool the milk before it enters the bulk milk tank
* Use variable speed drives (VSD) on vacuum and milk pumps on your milking equipment
* Consider adjusting lights in the dairy barn to increase milk production
* Install a heat reclaimer
* Investigate availability of water recycling equipment
* Insulate hot water lines
* Use a timer on your water heater so the water is the right temperature only when you need it
* Flush the sediment from the hot water tank regularly
* Maximize natural ventilation in your livestock barns wherever possible
* Clean ventilation fans
* Avoid irrigating on hot sunny or windy days
* Apply only the amount of irrigation water required for crop growth.
* Consider doing an on-farm energy audit
 
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To view these articles online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink_...tektalk.cfm
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AgriLink Upcoming Events
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Event - 2010 CCA Conference Date - January 13,2010 to January 14, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London, Best Western Lamplighter Inn, Wellington Road
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Event - Certified Crop Advisors Annual Conference Date - January 13,2010 to January 14, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London, Best Western Lamplighter Inn, Wellington Road
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Event - Ag-Alert Seminar Date - January 13, 2010 Time - 7:00 PM Place - Elma Community Centre, Atwood on Highway #23  South of Listowel Contact Name - DePutter Publishing 1.800.434.0834
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Event - LAMBTON CATTLEMEN ANNUAL Date - January 13, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Wyoming Fairgrounds Contact Name - Tammy VanTroost, Tel 519-864-4449
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Event - Middlesex Holstein Annual/Barn Meeting   Date - January 13, 2010
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Event - Elgin SCIA Annual Meeting Date - January 14, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Shedden, Keystone Complex Contact Name - Margaret May Email - elgin@ontariosoilcrop.org
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Event - Ag-Alert Seminar Date - January 14, 2010 Time - 7:00 PM Place - Best Western Stoneridge Inn, South of Lambeth on Highway # 4 at 401, Exit 177A Contact Name - DePutter Publishing 1.800.434.0834
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Event - LAMBTON SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Annual Membership and Education Meeting Date - January 15, 2010 Place - Brooke Alvinston Inwood Community Complex   Alvinston, Ontario Contact Name - Bonnie Marriott @ 519-882-3215
 

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Event - LAMBTON COUNTY 4-H ASSOCIATION Annual Meeting Date - January 18, 2010 Time - 7:30 PM Place - Wyoming Fairgrounds Contact Name - Brenda at 519-828-3516
 
 
 
Alt Contact Name - Peter at 519-899-4473
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Event - Kent Soil and Crop Improvement Association   Annual Banquet/Meeting   Date - January 19, 2010 Time - 5:30 PM Place - Smitty’s Restaurant, Chatham Contact Name - 519-352-2950
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Event - Middlesex County Farm and Home Safety Council Annual Meeting Date - January 20, 2010 Time - 6:30 PM Place - Sengenta Headquarters, Arva
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Event - AGRISUCCESS WORKSHOPS-Estate Planning with Len Davies Date - January 21, 2010 Place - Oil Heritage District Community Centre, Petrolia - 360 Tank Contact Name - FCC at 1-888-332-3301 Website - www.AgriSuccess.ca
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Event - Zone 3 Egg Producers Annual Meeting Date - January 21, 2010 Time - 6:30 PM Place -  Mount Elgin Community Centre, Mount Elgin
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Event - Middlesex Cattlemens’ Annual Meeting Date - January 21, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Ailsa Craig Community Centre
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Event - Farm$mart Agricultural Conference Date - January 23, 2010 Place - Guelph, University of Guelph, Rozanski Hall Website - www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart
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Event - Chatham-Kent 4-H Association Annual Dinner/Dance Meeting Date - January 23, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Ridgetown Campus, Willson Hall Contact Name - Janet Campbell: 519-352-2950 (phone/fax) Email - paulandjanet.campbell@sympatico.ca
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Event - Egg Farmers of Ontario, Zone 1 Annual Meeting Date - January 25, 2010 Time - 1:30 PM Place - Petrolia, Legion Hall
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Event - Egg Farmers of Ontario, Zone 2 Annual Meeting Date - January 25, 2010 Time - 8:00 PM Place - Coldstream Community Centre
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Event -  Zone 2 Egg Producers Annual Meeting Date - January 25, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Coldstream Community Centre
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Annual Meeting-Essex Date - January 25, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - St. John's Parish Hall, Woodslee
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Annual Meeting-Middlesex Date - January 26, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Coldstream Community Centre
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Event - Agriculture Health and Safety 202 presented by IAPA Date - January 26, 2010 Time - 7:45 AM Place - Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, 54 Fourth St., Chatham Contact Name - 519-352-7540 Email - info@chatham-kentchamber.ca
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Event - AGRISUCCESS WORKSHOP-Statements & Ratios with Mario Dumas Date - January 27, 2010 Place - Holiday Inn, London - 864 Exeter Road Contact Name - FCC at 1-888-332-3301 Website - www.AgriSuccess.ca
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Elgin/Norfolk Date - January 27, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Tillsonburg Community Centre
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Event - AGRISUCCESS WORKSHOP-Farm Financial Management - Statements and Ratios Date - January 27, 2010 Place - Holiday Inn, London - 864 Exeter Road Contact Name - FCC at 1-888-332-3301 Website - www.AgriSuccess.ca
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Event - Ontario Forum on Agri-Food Traceability Date - January 28, 2010 Place - Cambridge Contact Name - 1-877-424-1300 Website - http://www.ontario.ca/traceforum
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Event -  29th Annual Organic Agriculture Conference Date - January 28,2010 to January 31, 2009 Place -  Guelph University Centre Contact Name - 519-824-4120 x56205 Email - organix@georgian.net Website - www.guelphorganicconf.ca
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Kent Date - January 28, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Countryview Golf Course, Oungah
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Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Lambton Date - January 28, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Wyoming Legion
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Event - Lambton County Pork Producers Annual Meeting Date - January 29, 2010 Time - 10:30 AM Place - Centennial Hall, Watford Contact Name - Anna-Lee Straatman 519-849-5611 Email - ajstraatman@brktel.on.ca
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Event - Middlesex Pork Producers' Annual Meeting, Date - February 1, 2010 Time - 7:00 PM Place - Coldstream Community Centre
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Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting-Lambton-Day Two-Feb. 9 Date - February 2, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Wyoming Legion Contact Name - OSCIA at 519-826-4214 Email - www.ontariosoilcrop.org/EFP/EFP.htm
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Event - 2010 OSCIA Annual Meeting Date - February 2,2010 to February 3, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Sheraton Fallsview, Niagara Falls
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Event - Elgin Pork Producers’ Annual Meeting Date - February 3, 2010 Time - 7:30 PM Place - Shedden, Keystone Complex
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Event - District 1 Sheep Meeting Date - February 4, 2010 Time - 8:00 PM Place - Coldstream Community Centre Contact Name - Bill Duffield
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Event - Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) workshop-Middlesex, Day 2 Feb. 11 Date - February 4, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Middlesex Contact Name - Margaret May 519-287-5334 Email - middlesex@ontariosoilcrop.org
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Event - LAMBTON FARM SAFETY ANNUAL Meeting Date - February 4, 2010 Time - 7:00 PM Place - Wyoming Christian Reformed Church Contact Name -  Earle Woolaver, 519-882-1180 Email - woolaver@mnsi.net
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Event - Kent County Pork Producers' Annual Meeting Date - February 4, 2010 Time - 4:30 PM Place - Ridgetown Campus, Willson Hall Contact Name - 519-676-2493.
Email - rick.faber@sympatico.ca
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Event -  Lambton Dairy Producers Annual Meeting Date - February 5, 2010 Time - 10:30 AM Place - Wyoming Legion Contact Name - For tickets contact the Lambton Dairy Producers committee member in your area
 
 
 
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Event - CHATHAM-KENT 4-H  RALLY NIGHT  2010 Date - February 6, 2010 Time - 7:30 PM Place - Ridgetown Campus, Rudy H. Brown Rural Development Centre Contact Name - Janet at 352-2950
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Event - Elgin Federation of Agriculture Banquet & Dance Date - February 6, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - St. Anne's Centre, St. Thomas
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Event - National Farm Machinery Show Date - February 10,2010 to February 13, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Louisville, KY Website - http://www.farmmachineryshow.org
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Event - Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) workshop-Lambton, Day 2 Feb. 23 Date - February 16, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Lambton Contact Name - Allan Butler 519-692-5399 Email - lambton@ontariosoilcrop.org
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Event - Canadian International Farm Show Date - February 17,2010 to February 19, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - International Centre, Toronto Website - http://www.canadianfarmshow.ca
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Event - South Western Ontario Pork Conference Date - February 17, 2010 Place -  Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - Ag Business Centre  519 674 1596
 
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Event -  Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario Conference Date - February 17,2010 to February 18, 2010 Place - London, Best Western Lamplighter Inn, Wellington Road Website -  http://www.ifao.com/
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Event - Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP) workshop-Elgin, Day 2 Feb. 25 Date - February 18, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Elgin Contact Name - Margaret May, 519-287-5334 Email - elgin@ontariosoilcrop.org
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Event -  Does It Pay? Tools to Answer Your Own Farm Electricity Questions, one day short course Date - February 18, 2010 Place - Woodstock Contact Name - Julie VanMol 
ph: 519-674-1575 Email - jvanmol@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
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Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting for Kent, Day Two-Feb 25 Date - February 18, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Ridgetown Contact Name - Ron Faubert 519-352-1285 Email - kent@ontariosoilcrop.org
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Event - Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program Winter Magic Dream Auction Date - February 20, 2010 Place - Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Centre Contact Name - 519-826-4204
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Event - Quest for New Farm Value – Value Plus™, Day Two March 1 Date - February 22, 2010 Place - Mt Brydges Caradoc Community Centre Contact Name - call 1-877-424-1300 Website - http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/conf.../index.html
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Event - Middlesex Soil and Crop Annual Meeting, Date - February 23, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Coldstream Community Centre
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Event - Business Planning Workshop Date - February 23, 2010 Time - 7:45 AM Place - Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, 54 Fourth St., Chatham Contact Name - 519-352-7540 Email - info@chatham-kentchamber.ca
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Event - Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting Date - February 24,2010 to February 25, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Doubletree by Hilton - Toronto Airport Website - http://cattle.guelph.on.ca/
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Event - Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention Date - February 24,2010 to February 25, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Brock University, St. Catharines Website - http://www.ofvc.ca/
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Event - New York Farm Show Date - February 25,2010 to February 27, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Syracuse, NY Website - http://www.newyorkfarmshow.com
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Event - 43rd Annual Canadian International Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show Date - February 26,2010 to March 2, 2010 Place - Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel Email - cgsa@golfsupers.com Website - www.golfsupers.com/toronto2010
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Event -  Ontario 4-H Annual General Meeting Date - February 27, 2010 Place - Waterloo Inn and Conference Centre, Waterloo
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Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting-Lambton-Day Two-Mar. 9 Date - March 2, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Wyoming Legion Contact Name - OSCIA at 519-826-4214 Website - www.ontariosoilcrop.org/EFP/EFP.htm
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Event - Does It Pay? Tools to Answer Your Own Farm Electricity Questions, One day short course Date - March 2, 2010 Place - Clinton Contact Name - Julie VanMol 
ph: 519-674-1575
Email - jvanmol@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
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Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting for Kent, Day Two-Mar 10 Date - March 3, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Ridgetown Contact Name - Ron Faubert 519-352-1285 Email - kent@ontariosoilcrop.org
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Event - Elgin County Conference Series: Evolution of the Harvest Date - March 3, 2010 Place - Elgin County Contact Name - 519-631-1260 ext 164
 
 
Website - www.progressivebynature.com
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Event - 4th Annual Growing the Margins Conference Date - March 8,2010 to March 12, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London Convention Centre Contact Name - First Stage Enterprises; 416-426-7029 Website - www.gtmconference.ca
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Event - Western Fair Farm Show Date - March 10,2010 to March 12, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Western Fair Grounds, London Contact Name - (800) 619-4629 or (519) 438-7203 Website - http://www.westernfair.com/shows/farm.html
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Event -  Does It Pay? Tools to Answer Your Own Farm Electricity Questions Date - March 23, 2010 Place - Vineland Station Contact Name - Julie VanMol 
ph: 519-674-1575 Email - jvanmol@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
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Event - London Swine Conference Date - March 31,2010 to April 1, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London Convention Centre Website - http://www.londonswineconference.ca/
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Event - Poultry Industry Conference and Exhibition Date - April 14,2010 to April 15, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Western Fair Grounds, London Website - http://www.westernfair.com/shows/poultry.html
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Event - OIA Conference and Annual General Meeting Date - April 16,2010 to April 17, 2010 Place - Hilton Garden Inn, Niagara-on-the-Lake
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Event - Annual Ontario Pork Congress Date - June 23,2010 to June 24, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Stratford Website - www.porkcongress.on.ca
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To view these listings online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink..._events.cfm
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John Jordan
Editor, AgriLink and Farm Market News
University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
Tel. 519-674-1577
Fax. 519-674-1530
E-mail: jjordan@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
AgriLink website : www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink