2019at

COAC MAJOR SPONSORS

CENTRAL ONTARIOAGRICULTURALCONFERENCE

“Building a Better Farm Business”

www.CentralOntarioAgConference.ca

Pre-Register before February 7, 2019 atwww.CentralOntarioAgConference.ca

Regular $35 (includes hot, sit-down lunch & parking) Students $20 (includes lunch)

Registration at the door$50

(includes lunch & parking)

ORGANICSBACKYARD FARMING

DAIRY & SHEEPTHUR

SDAY

FRID

AY

or

PRE-REGISTER ON OUR WEBSITE REGISTRATION AT THE DOOR

Bring this program with you to the conference as your reference guide. For more information, contact Paul Maurice: 705-427-3126 or monpiero@bell.net

CONFERENCEEXHIBITS

Be sure to visit and talk to Exhibitors throughout the conference. Also, please join us in the Exhibitor Area for a

Complimentary Reception from 4-5PM each day.

ARRANGED BY SIMCOE COUNTYFARM ORGANIZATIONS

CONFERENCE LOCATIONGeorgian College - 1 Georgian Drive, Barrie, ON

The Sadlon Centre for Health & WellnessThere’s a new parking system this year at the

College. Instructions will be provided after you register.

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ERENCE PROGRAM COORDINATORS

CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE

Eric WrightChris LitsterJohn HemstedBruce GilliesPat FileHolly SandersWendy EaglesAndy Van NiekerkBecky BreedonMarilyn BidgoodSuzanne Ainley

Dairy: Organic:

Sheep: Backyard Farming:

Equine:

Crops:Members:

Paul MauriceAndy Van NiekerkConnie BrownMary Lynn Vander Wielen

Chairman:Vice-Chair:

Exhibit Coordinator:Treasurer:

CROPSEQUINE

The Honourable Rob BlackRob Black was appointed to the Senate of Canada in mid-February 2018 to represent Ontario, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, after being selected by the Indepen-dent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments. He was sworn-in to the

Upper Chamber on February 27, 2018.

His career has included being an administrator, speaker, trainer and workshop leader and he has worked in the rural, agricultural and leadership arenas for much of his working career. At the time of his appointment he was the Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Ontario Institute and Ward 5 Representative on Wellington County Council.

He is a Past President of the Canadian 4-H Council, the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Association, and the Wellington County Historical Society. He is also a Past Executive Director of The Centre for Rural Leadership; past General Manager of the Ontario Soybean Growers; and worked with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for 15 years. Senator Black readily admits that he wouldn't be where he is today, but for his early involvement in 4-H and other leadership develop-ment opportunities.

He was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Program Director Award from the International Association of Programs for Agricultural Leadership, in October 2013.

In recognition of his significant contributions to 4-H across Canada over many years, the Senator received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in June 2012, and was made an Honourary Member of the Canadian 4-H Council in June 2016.

Senator Black attended the University of Guelph where he received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, and Queen’s University in Kingston where he received his Bachelor of Education.

Currently, he is a Member of both the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry and the Charitable Sector (Special) Committee. The Senator divides his time between his office and the Senate Chamber in Ottawa and his home just north of Fergus, ON, in Wellington County.

For more information about our speakers, please visit www.CentralOntarioAgConference.ca

Feb 28th & Mar 1stFeb 28th & Mar 1st

The Sadlon Centre forHealth & Wellness

1 Georgian Drive, Barrie, Ontario

CEU creditsfor CCAs will

be offered

Dr. Kris NicholsSoil Microbiologist, KRIS Systems Education & ConsultationDr. Kris Nichols is a leader in the movement to regenerate soils for healthy crops, food, people and a planet. She is the founder and principal scientist of KRIS (Knowledge for Regeneration and Innovation in Soils) Systems Education & Consultation and a sub-contractor with Soil Health Consulting, Inc. Her current focus is to address current and future agricultural needs by building upon a soil health foundation to identify biological methods for agricultural production and tools and practices to reduce pest issues, soil erosion, fossil fuel use, and greenhouse gas

emissions. These systems are resilient and adapt to climatic uncertainty by increasing nutrient and water use efficiencies; improving pollinator activity and food security; and providing long-term solutions to agricultural economic viability, food insecurity, and the loss of ecosystem services. Kris continues to develop and evolve methodology and tools farmers, home-owners, and students may use to examine and appreciate their soil. Her work on carbon movement from plant to microbes and nutrient and water cycling have led her to also expand her research into exploring the similarities between the soil and gut micro-biomes to improve soil and animal including human health. Throughout her career, Kris has given over 250 invited presentations to a wide variety of audiences, authored or co-authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications, been cited or interviewed for more than 50 magazine or newspaper articles, highlighted in five books, and has numerous videos on-line.

Dr. Nichols was the Chief Scientist at Rodale Institute for over three years where she oversaw approximately fifteen projects on organic agriculture, including the Farming Systems Trial®, a side-by-side comparison of conventional chemical grain production to organic, biologically based production, and the initiation of the Vegetable Systems Trial. She was also instrumental in obtaining funding for these projects including recently being primarily responsible for the receipt of a $6 million, six-year project to explore the impacts of agricultural management practices on water quality in the Delaware River Watershed. Prior to joining Rodale Institute, Nichols was a Research (Soil) Microbiologist with the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in North Dakota for 11 years and a Biological Laboratory Technician with ARS in Beltsville, MD for 3 years. During her time with USDA, she focused on mycorrhizal fungi and the investigation of glomalin – a substance produced by AM (arbuscular mycorrhizal) fungi. Glomalin contributes to nutrient cycling by protecting AM hyphae transporting nutrients from the soil to the plant and to soil structure and plant health by helping to form and stabilize soil aggregates. Kris received Bachelor of Science degrees in Plant Biology and in Genetics and Cell Biology from the University of Minnesota in 1995, a Master’s degree in Environmental Microbiology from West Virginia University in 1999, and a Ph.D. in Soil Science from the University of Maryland in 2003. In recognition of her work, Dr. Nichols has received several awards including the 2012 Conser-vation Research Award from the International Soil and Water Conservation Society.

Be sure to visit and talk to Exhibitors throughout the conference.

Also, please join us in the Exhibitor Area for a Complimentary

Reception from 4-5PM each day!

Michael Stuart-WebbSales Representative, Re/Max ChayRealty Inc.Michael Stuart Webb has been working as a licensed Realtor in the Simcoe County Region for some 10 years. Aside from his work in residen-tial real estate, he also

services the equestrian, agricultural, recreational, commer-cial, and carriage markets. As a horseperson, and horse farm owner himself, Michael has spent many years firmly rooted within the equestrian community. This first-hand experience, in conjunction with his formal education in the Equine Studies Program at the University of Guelph, have led to him being acknowledged as an authority in the field of equestrian real estate throughout the Province. Additionally, with his vast knowledge and experience of agricultural property he is also considered an expert in the field of Agricultural real estate as well.

Susan PoiznerFilmmaker, Journalist, Urban OrchardistSusan Poizner is a passionate filmmaker, journalist, urban orchardist and fruit tree care educator. She is creator of the fruit tree care certificate training program at www.orchardpeople.com/workshops, author of the award-winning fruit tree care book Growing Urban Orchards and host of the monthly fruit tree care podcast The Urban Forestry Radio Show on RealityRadio101.com. Susan is also an ISA Certified Arborist.

Bill Woodley Woodley Dairy DirectionBill Woodley retired after working for 37 years for a major North American Feed and Nutrition Company. Bill has formed a dairy consulting company, Woodley Dairy Direction, focusing on dairy management and nutrition strategies to improve productivity.

Bill had a variety of roles over the last thirty-seven years but always with a major emphasis on Dairy Nutrition and Management. Bill’s role as Ruminant Technical Manager provided a critical liaison between research and the practicalities of the dairy farm. Bill has written several articles for magazines such as the Ontario Dairy Farmer

and Progressive Dairyman. His main emphasis through Woodley Dairy Direction is working with dairy operations and dairy specialists to “unlock the potential” on dairy herds. The key strategy is uncovering bottle-necks that are holding back production and developing time-lines for expected production responses.

Bill focuses on what he calls “The Legacy Effect” – understanding management and nutrition decisions made on dairy farms today that will affect future production.

40th Anniversary!First 40 people under 40 years of ageto register online will have registration

refunded at the door!

40th Anniversary!First 40 people under 40 years of ageto register online will have registration

refunded at the door!

The Sadlon Centrefor Health and

WellnessBuilding M

MANY THANKS TO OUR CONFERENCE SUPPORTERSAinley Group • BMO-Bank of Montreal • Cathie Hunt, CPA • Conestogo Agri-Systems • Holmes Agro

John Fischer - Desjardins Financial Security Investments Inc. • National Bank of CanadaNational Farmers Union Local 347 • Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association

Pride Seeds • Royal LePage - Cal Madill

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DAY 1: Organics / Backyard Farming /Dairy / Sheep

Tony NealeFarmer, Wheelbarrow FarmEmerging Technology and the Small Farm - Tony has one of, if not, the first prototype electric tractors in North America .The solar panels on the farm charge the tractor batteries in addition to providing power to the farm and to the grid. Tony attended a robotics conference in France last year as part of his ongoing exploration of the prospects of automation for farming. One of the partners in the operation has been expanding the e-commerce side of the business. Come and hear ideas about how to meld new technology and organic small scale farming.

Jillian CraigSmall Ruminant Specialist, OMAFRAThe Ontario Sheep Industry 2029 - Let’s take a look into the future of the Ontario sheep industry and see what tools and actions we might need to take to get to 2029.

Tony McQuailFarmer, Meeting Place Organic FarmThe One Yard Diet: Eating Locally on Your Own Turf - In this talk Tony McQuail will explore the many benefits of eating very locally. When we grow some of our food in our own back yard we are connected to the soil and the seasons directly and intimately. We are also taking actions at a personal level which can help address some of the major challenges we face as a global society.

Deborah VanberkelRegistered Psychotherapists, Cultivate Counselling ServicesFarmer Mental Health - With the stresses and strains of today’s farming economy, it has been recognized that many farmers are at risk of experiencing mental health challenges. Deborah will give us some insight into the challenges that some in farming community are facing.

Leon SpurrellExecutive Director & CEO, Farm MedixA Fresh Look at Mastitis - Leon will be speaking about his approach to mastitis treatment, why he searches until he finds the cause of the infection rather than simply telling the farmer that this cow needs to be treated. Leon's company Farm Medix has been working success-fully with producers in New Zealand for several years and has been able to reduce antibiotic usage by 75-100% on many farms.

Donna GoodwinCultural Development Coordinator, Tourism Simcoe CountyWhat’s All The Buzz About? - Tourism Simcoe County staff have been working with municipalities and stake-holders to start prioritizing activities, identify trail partners and product, and develop apiculture as a tourism initiative in south Simcoe. There is opportunity for this to BE THE FIRST bee and honey trail in Ontario. Designed to celebrate beekeeping, bees, honey, other hive products, pollinators and the history of beekeeping linked to Simcoe County, there are many ways for you to be part of turning south Simcoe into the Bee & Honey Capital of Canada. The development of partnerships for sourcing of local product, creating bee friendly gardens, sharing knowledge and expertise of the bee process and benefits, stakeholder buy-in and product offerings is essential to the success of the trail. The provision of unique and authentic offerings along the trail will create a memorable experience for visitors to the south Simcoe region.

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Dr. Kris NicholsSoil Microbiologist, KRIS Systems Education & Consultation Regenerative Agriculture Builds Resilience Through Soil Biology - A regenerative systems approach will utilize integrated, dynamic principles to synergize biologically-based practices to address fertility, pest and disease issues. These regenerative systems have the potential to leverage increasing soil organic matter to feed soil biology and address climate change. The soil is the foundation for any system to work while the management practices are the tools. This presentation will discuss crop diversity including perennials and annuals as well as cover and companion crops, reduced soil disturbance, and managed grazing to increase profitability by maximizing nutrient and water use efficiencies.

Bill WoodleyWoodley Dairy DirectionThe Legacy Effect - Bill will talk on the impact decisions made today have on tomorrow’s milk production.

Owen GoltzFarmer, Riverdale Farm and Forest Strip Farming Vegetables - Owen will share his path into farming and the newest and really awesome project happening on it, strip farming vegetables. He’ll cover layout considerations, understand & creating an upward spiral in plant health, developing an internal nutritional system for vegetables, and much more.

Anita O’BrienOn Farm Programs Lead, Ontario Sheep Farmers Sheep Traceability: What do we need to know? - Anita will give us an update on where we are with traceability, our current responsibilities and what the future of trace-ability will look like for the sheep industry.

Ben CaesarPerennial Gardener, Fiddlehead NurseryTop 10 Perennial Vegetables for Ontario - Perennial vegetables provide large quantities of tender, delicious shoots at a time of year when nothing else is coming out of the garden; they easily fill the spring ‘hunger gap’ with delicious, nutrient-dense and low-maintenance crops. And because they don’t require tillage, they sequester carbon in the soil as they grow. I’ll cover the top 10 perennial vegetables I grow in my gardens, including cultivation details, bed design, and mainte-nance requirements for profitable results.

Susan PoiznerFilmmaker, Journalist, Urban OrchardistGrowing Urban Orchards: Dealing with fruit tree pests and diseases in small scale orchards - Is your fruit tree young and healthy? That’s the perfect time to learn about how to prevent pests and disease from infecting your trees in the future. Or do you already have problems with insects nibbling on your tree’s leaves, goopy wounds on your tree, scarred or disfigured fruit or black swellings on the branches? This talk will teach you to identify and treat some of the most common pest and disease problems organically. This workshop covers the causes of pest and disease problems, identification of various common diseases, organic approaches to pest and disease control, basics of pruning out disease.

Christoph WandLivestock Sustainability Specialist, OMAFRASustainability in the Ontario Sheep Industry – Christoph will speak on what the sheep industry needs to do to strengthen its position as a commodity in a time when there is close scrutiny of livestock agriculture.

Murray HuntThe BullvineAre we varnishing the past or building for the future?

Tarrah YoungFarmer, Green Being FarmPasturing Pigs - Join Tarrah Young of Green Being Farm as she shares lessons from her own experiences raising heritage pigs on pasture, as well as innovative and valuable information gleaned from research abroad. Topics to be covered include: feeding options and grazing systems, natural health care, processing, marketing and economics. Plus, a chance to learn about Kune Kune pigs, a rare breed of pig able to fatten on forages alone!

Food Production in the Next 40 Years PanelA wrap up to the first day will be focused on the topic of “what will food production look like over the next 40 years?” and will feature speakers from earlier in the day and will be moderated by Chris Litster.

Tech Tools and How We Use Them on OurSheep FarmsAn experienced panel of Sheppards, including Maureen Rundle, Grant Cowan, and Jillian Craig, will share the types of data tools they use on their farms and what they find useful and effective.

DAY 2: Crops / Equine

Senator Rob BlackRepresenting Ontario Agriculture and Rural Interests - We All Have a Role to Play… Mine is through the Senate of Canada.

Danielle StewartConsultant, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) Continuing the Conversation: Mental Health on the Farm

Michael Stuart WebbSales Representative, Re/Max Chay Realty Inc.Buying or Selling a Horse Farm - Michael will discuss the in’s and out’s of horse farm buying and selling. What features sell, versus which features do not. He will provide insight into identi-fying your true needs while helping to take some of the mystery out of “where do I start, to find what I want, where I want and for a price I can consider”.

Mike CowbroughField Crops Weed Specialist, OMAFRA Weed Control Options – Mike will cover strategies and options for managing glyphosate resistant and other problem weeds with new technologies.

Rob Fabi, BA, CIPManager Specialty Solutions – Farm, Intact InsuranceIdentifying and Insuring Exposures on Farms – Identifying risks on farms and determining what actions might be taken to mitigate these will be covered and explored. Bringing along your own experiences to get input from a long-time expertise from the insurance industry.

James GarrissDirector of Research & Development, Browning MediaOntario’s Spring and Summer Climate Outlook

Gerry MacartneyCEO, London Chamber of CommerceInfluencing Municipal Politicians - Following an election it’s the perfect time to get out to inform, engage and influence municipal councils on farm and agriculture priori-ties in your local community. CEO Maccartney will share experiences and give tips you can use with elected officials and staff in your municipality.

Wendy Eagle Equine Behaviourist, Wellspring EquineOptimum Husbandry Practices - To compliment Michael Webb’s discussion on the must know’s for horse farm buying and selling, Wendy will discuss optimum husbandry practices within the farm environment for horses. Preventa-tive care benefits our horses, barnyard and wallets!

Bernard Tobin Ontario Field Editor, RealAgriculture.comGet Social to Better Your Business and Tell Your Farm Story - Bernard Tobin uses social media to share agriculture news, issues, agronomy and innovation with farmers and agribusiness across North America. He also teaches farmers how to communicate with consumers and share the story of modern farming. In this session, Tobin will offer a host of tips and techniques from his communications workshops and real-world examples of how farmers are using social media to better their business and effectively share the story of how and why they farm.

Alex ArkwrightEquine Nutrition and Sales, Sharpe Farm Supplies Supplements, Where to Begin? - In today’s marketplace there are hundreds of supplements claiming to help with almost any problem you could have; frankly it can be overwhelming as an equine nutritionist, so where does the average consumer start? Hopefully we can point you in the right direction as we discuss some of the how’s, why’s and when’s of supplement use.

Steve KellBusiness Manager – Branch Grain, Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd.Marketing Madness! – Steve will provide insights and his thoughts on the crops market for the coming year.

Cage Rematch of the Century!Bring your Agronomy questions to ‘Stump the Chump’ - This annual showdown featuring COAC’s Agronomy Team of Peter Johnson, Greg Stewart and Aaron Stevanus. Remem-ber to bring along your own questions and try “stumping” these agronomy experts.

Don Kabbes General Manager, Great Lakes GrainHow High Deoxynivalenol (DON) Corn Has Affected the Supply Chain - Don will give a quick market update and also discuss how the 2018 harvest will be one of memory for some time.

Becky Breedon Economic Development Officer County of SimcoeSimcoe, Grey and Bruce Counties Agriculture & Agri-Food Value Chain Study Results - In 2018, the Counties of Simcoe, Grey and Bruce along with their partners, the City of Barrie, the City of Orillia, Georgian College and business support agencies, undertook an agriculture and agri-food industry survey to help identify opportunities and challenges in the sector. This presentation will provide an overview on study findings and an update on next steps.

10:0

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AUDITORIUM

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AM MastitisLeon Spurrell

What's All the BuzzAbout?Donna Goodwin

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Past or Future?Murray Hunt

Legacy EffectBill Woodley

Strip FarmingVegetablesOwen Goltz

RegenerativeAgricultureKris Nicols

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Farmer Mental HealthDeborah Vanberkel

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Sheep TraceabilityAnita O'Brien

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Sheep IndustrySustainabilityChristoph Wand

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Sheep Farmers’ PanelFood Production In40 Years Panel

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Lunch Break ~ 12:00 - 1:00PM ~ Please visit our exhibitors!

9:00 - 10:00AM ~ Registration & Exhibitor Trade Show Open

4:00PM Onwards ~ Exhibitors & Conference Participants Reception

Ontario Sheep Industry2029Jillian Craig

Ag & Agri-Food ValueChain StudyBecky Breedon

Urban OrchardsSusan Poizner

Emerging Technology Tony Neale

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One Yard DietTony McQuail

Perennial VegetablesBen Caesar

Pasturing PigsTarrah Young

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Weed Control OptionsMike Cowbrough

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SupplementsAlex Arkwright

Ontario’s ClimateOutlookJames Garriss

Influencing PoliticiansGerry Macartney

Liability InsuranceRob Fabi

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Ag LeadershipSenator Rob Black

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Optimum HusbandryPracticesWendy Eagle

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Social MediaBernard Tobin

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Agronomy Cage Match

ROOM 1 ROOM 2 ROOM 3

Lunch Break ~ 12:00 - 1:00PM ~ Please visit our exhibitors!

9:00 - 10:00AM ~ Registration & Exhibitor Trade Show Open

4:00PM Onwards ~ Exhibitors & Conference Participants Reception

Mental HealthDanielle Stewart

Ag & Agri-Food ValueChain StudyBecky Breedon

Social MediaBernard Tobin

Mental HealthDanielle Stewart

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High DON CornDon Kabbes

High DON CornDon Kabbe

Marketing Madness!Steve Kell

For more information and speaker biographies,please visit www.CentralOntarioAgConference.ca