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NEW FACE IN ONTARIO AG MINISTRY AS MCGUINTY SHUFFLES CABINET
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
NEW FACE IN ONTARIO AG MINISTRY AS MCGUINTY SHUFFLES CABINET01/19/10
From a Release - Queen's Park - On Monday Jan. 18, 2010), Premier McGuinty announced major changes to his Cabinet to drive the government's economic, education and green energy agenda.
The changes will see 12 ministers in new responsibilities and three new women appointed to Cabinet:
Leona Dombrowsky moves from Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and becomes Minister of Education. "After six years of progress -- where class sizes have decreased, graduation rates have increased by nine percentage points, and the number of students meeting or exceeding the provincial standard in reading, writing and math in Grades 3 and 6 increased by 13 percentage points -- Minister Dombrowsky leads our efforts to deliver full-day learning for 4- and 5-year olds, further increase test scores and graduation rates," says Premier McGuinty.
Back-bencher Carol Mitchell has been appointed Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. According to the release, since 2003, Ontario has ensured that farms transferred within a family are exempted from land transfer taxes and has increased efforts to promote locally-grown food. Now, Minister Mitchell will continue the government's efforts to help our farmers build a thriving rural Ontario through our high-tech agriculture and food sectors.
OFA WELCOMES MITCHELL AS NEW ONTARIO AG MINISTER
01/19/10
From a Release - GUELPH – Premier McGuinty has named Carol Mitchell of the Huron-Bruce riding as Ontario’s new Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. She takes over from Leona Dombrowsky who held the position since 2005.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with Minister Mitchell,” says Bette Jean Crews, President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). “OFA has enjoyed a good working relationship with Minister Dombrowsky, and looks forward to continuing along the same route with Minister Mitchell.”
Crews recalls Mitchell’s days as Parliamentary Assistant to the Hon. Steve Peters, now Speaker of the Legislature, when he was OMAFRA minister, and is confident Minister Mitchell has a solid base of knowledge about agriculture and food issues.
Representing the farming communities in Huron and Bruce counties, Crews feels Mitchell will be well versed on current issues and concerns facing modern agriculture. “We look forward to a smooth transition to the new minister and her staff,” Crews says.
The new minister will face some tough issues right from the outset – Business Risk Management Programs and AgriStability – when she attends the meeting of ministers from the Federal, Provincial and Territorial levels early in February.
PARKHILL'S AMANDA VANDENBERK WINS OUTSTANDING YOUNG FARMERS’ SCHOLARSHIP
01/14/10
From a release - Guelph - Amanda Vandenberk, a second year Honours Math student at Wilfrid Laurier University is the first recipient of a new annual scholarship from Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) program. The $500 Scholarship was established in memory of the late Martin Streef.
Vandenberk, from Parkhill, Ontario, has been active with the Parkhill Fall Fair, acting as ambassador in 2008. She is also a Level 2 Hockey referee, provides Red Cross training services, teaches swimming lessons and works part-time on her parent’s hog farm. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a career as a math teacher and hopes to work in a rural high school.
As part of the scholarship nomination, each applicant was required to provide a short essay to answer the question “Why are you passionate about agriculture in Canada?” Amanda’s response focuses on her concern about the lack of youth involvement in the agricultural industry. “If we could get them excited about all of the really neat things that are happening in agriculture today, we would see a growing trend of students choosing agriculture as their career path. The possibilities are endless!”
Amanda will officially receive her scholarship at the OYF Ontario regional banquet on March 30 in Belleville.
The OYF Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of the late Martin Streef – president Streef Produce Ltd., a family-run fresh fruit and vegetable business in Woodstock Ontario – to help future generations of Canadians pursue their passion for agriculture. In 1996, Streef was recognized as both Ontario’s and Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer. He died in April 2008.
The Martin Streef Memorial Scholarship is available to any full-time student in their final year of secondary school who is about to enter a post secondary institution, or is currently registered in a post secondary institution leading to a degree or diploma. This individual related somehow to an Ontario Outstanding Young Farmer alumni. The application deadline for the 2010 OYF Memorial Scholarship is June 30, 2010. Full details and application forms are available at www.oyfontario.ca
100,000 CANADIAN FARMERS UNITE TO CALL FOR INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURE RESEARCH
01/19/10
From a Release - Guelph - Farmers across Canada are uniting to form Farmers for Investment in Agriculture (FIA), to demand greater investment in agronomic research from the federal government.
“Agriculture as an industry turns every dollar of research investment into a 10 dollar economic benefit for Canada through the growth of the domestic food sector, increased exports and lower food costs,” said William Van Tassel, vice-chair of the Fédération des producteurs de culture commerciales du Québec.
At a time when most industrialized countries are making huge investments in farming to capitalize on growing world food demand, public research funding for agronomics in Canada has dropped 40 per cent since 1994 after adjusting for inflation, resulting in a serious loss of both research infrastructure and scientists.
In response to this crisis, four major agricultural organizations are joining forces to call for an increase in agronomic research. Over 100,000 Canadian farmers are represented by the group, which includes the Grain Farmers of Ontario, the Fédération des producteurs de culture commerciales du Québec, the Atlantic Grains Council and the Grain Growers of Canada.
“The government must develop a national strategy on agriculture that puts the needs of Canadian farmers at the top of its list,” said Don Kenny, chair of the Grain Farmers of Ontario.
Farmers for Investment in Agriculture is calling on the Government to double core agronomic research over the next 10 years. The proposal would bring funding back to 1994 levels by 2020. By increasing research funds, Canadian farmers would gain a competitive edge in the global market and help stimulate the struggling Canadian economy. It is also estimated that agronomic research yields 40-60 per cent economic returns for the whole society.
“There is no better investment for Canada than an investment in food,” said Doug Robertson, president of the Grain Growers of Canada. “We have some of the most fertile farmland in the world with access to the third largest supply of the world’s fresh water and we are not maximizing our crop production,” he said.
Research is more important today than it has ever been. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations predicts that global agriculture has to grow by 70 per cent by 2050 to feed an additional 2.3 billion people, creating a demand that Canadian farmers need to be prepared to capitalize on.
Increased public research funding helps develop crops that are more efficient, higher quality, healthier and more resistant to disease, pests and extreme weather conditions. At a time when demand is expected to rise significantly and wheat supplies are being threatened worldwide by an outbreak of Ug99, the time for government to invest is now.
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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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AgriLink Upcoming Events
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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 - 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 - 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 - 2010 Annual Meeting for the Ontario Canola Growers Association Date - January 21, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Nottawasaga Inn, Alliston Contact Name - 519-763-1200 Website - www.ontariocanolagrowers.ca
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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 - Food Safety & Traceability Initiative Information Session Date - February 2, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - OMAFRA toll free at 1-888-479-3931
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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 - Environmental Farm Plan Workshop-Elgin, Day Two, Feb 11 Date - February 4, 2010 Time - 10:00 AM Place - St. Thomas Contact Name - Margaret May - 519-287-5334 Email - elgin@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 - 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 - 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 Time - 3:45 PM Place - Rudy H. Brown Rural Development Centre- Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - Ag Business Centre 519 674 1596
Email - lbrien@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
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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
