by Diane Doiron  National Post Feb 1, 2012

The Guelph 2012 Organics Conference offered more than 35 workshops over four days — along with a trade show that had me dreaming about a new tractor.

You’re probably thinking, when does this woman relax? Well, this weekend was one of the ways, in what I like to call a little mid-winter oasis. Now, I know it’s not Cuba or Mexico, but for farmers it’s a pretty nice break from the realities of winter doldrums. And you ask where that might be?

Well, the 31st Guelph 2012 Organics Conference, of course! Where all the latest gadgets and information on organic farming techniques and equipment come out of the cold and let us crazed farmers and the public drool over the booths and exhibitors.

MORE…

Guelph Organic Conference panelists say

Rob O’Flanagan, Guelph Mercury

GUELPH — Those who dream of the good life on a small organic farm may be surprised to learn that such an agricultural existence can be more than a subsistence enterprise. It can also be quite profitable.

A large University of Guelph classroom was filled to standing room only Friday afternoon, as veteran, beginner and wannabe organic farmers packed in for a dose of agrarian reality from organic lifers. And the audience was collectively invigorated to learn that their dreams may be attainable – not without exhaustive work, not without startup capital and skill, but also with the potential for a decent living.

About 100 people took in one of the first panel discussions in the weekend-long Guelph Organic Conference. The 31st edition of the conference is called Seeds of Co-operation, and it includes seminars and workshops on everything from root cellar basics and growing mushrooms on logs, to planting bountiful forest gardens and producing organic seeds.

Tony and Fran McQuail were among the first organic farmers in Ontario, starting a small operation 37 years ago near Lucknow. They were university kids when they started; their two daughters are now grown up. Part of the back-to-the-land movement of the ’70s, neither had a farming background. MORE…

Thanks to all the volunteers that helped make such a great Conference. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Corporate Organic Sponsors & Organic Media Partners: We thank all companies and media publications which have already confirmed their support for this sponsorship outreach leading up to the January, 2012 Guelph Organic Conference !

			Hanley Law Office/ Organic Advocacy

 

For media who cover the Conference’s educational program & promote Organic Expo Canada
	NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCTS CANADA GUIDE 2011

 

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Many people have asked ‘what is the difference between an Official Sponsor and a Corporate Organic Sponsor’ to which the answer is:

Official Sponsors must be public sector-focus and/or non-profit entities.

By public sector work, we mean that the service carried out will further the public’s knowledge and awareness of organic market-place transparency. The 16 Official Sponsors currently sitting on the 2012 Conference Management Committee represent truly wide swaths of the current “organic sector” in Canada. The Official Sponsors represent: organic certification, organic education, training and speaker programs, organic inspection of both farms and processors, organic research programs, organic advocacy and lobbying, international sustainable agriculture education and programs… and finally, education into organic production systems at the university level. Official Sponsors are invited onto the Conference Committee by the board of directors based on their commitment to, and active promotion of the ideals and goals of ‘organic foods, farming & gardening and closely related issues.’ The current 16 Official Sponsor groups represent, objectively, the entire Canadian organic sector. By coming to Guelph, these groups put their work on display for you to experience.

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Corporate Organic Sponsors, on the other hand, are the commercial backbone of the sector who spend discretionary dollars to support organics. Those companies and marketing entities include: for-profit distributors and processors, for-profit retailers, for-profit agricultural marketers and seed vendors… as well as other supporting bodies involved in consulting and advocacy.

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The Official Sponsors of the 2012 GUELPH ORGANIC CONFERENCE are the following:

• Canada Organic Trade Association
• Canadian Organic Growers
• CSI – Centre For Systems Integration
• Ecocert Canada
• Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario
• International Organic Inspectors Association
• National Farmers Union
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
• OCIA-International
• Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada
• Organic Council of Ontario
• ProCert Organic Systems
• Quality Assurance International
• REAP-Canada/Resource Efficient Agricultural Production
• Society For Biodynamic Farming & Gardening In Ontario
• University of Guelph Organic Agriculture Program

While in Guelph why not check out the great organic options in town. Here are some local restaurants that feature organic items and

Conference Manager’s special note, January 10, 2012 – “KEEPING UP WITH GUELPH ORGANIC PROVIDERS HAS BECOME A FULL-TIME JOB !

When you are in Guelph and feeling a tad peckish, how about going out to one of the local restaurants during Conference week? BETTER STILL – call a caterer and have them prep some organic food trays. Last January’s Local Organic Dining Passport opened the door for many out-of-town guests to discover the great local fare.

Here is a partial list of Guelph restaurants serving local & organic food for our own Organic Week (January 23-29, 2012).

Each year we try to promote an in-town, week-long organic food focus. This list of outlets includes restaurants, caterers and foodservice providers. Within the actual Conference, there are also built-in organic food-focus events like our own Organic Food & Wine Dinner, the Organic Council of Ontario (Saturday evening) Organic Awards celebration and various other invitational food events which will be announced. Some of the restaurants listed below might also be doing tastings, wine samplings, special gourmet dinners and other private events – many are open to your request for a private catering. Plan ahead and phone them so you can maximize your Guelph experience !

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**List: Guelph restaurants/outlets serving/sampling organic/local food

**Book your company party/hospitality during the Conference

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GUELPH PROVIDERS OF ORGANIC & LOCAL

Partial list of restaurants, caterers & foodservice outlets providing organic local foods – for GUELPH ORGANIC WEEK, running January 23-29, 2012, with activities taking place throughout the Guelph area.

‘Guelph Organic Week’ is promoted by the Guelph Organic Conference & Expo which runs January 26-29, 2012 at the Guelph University Centre.

This list was updated, December, 2011 • It is continually revised as new outlets sign on.

Alex & Dan Catering :

(519) 265-1508 – www.alexanddancatering.com

Artisanale Café & Restaurant at “The Book Shelf” :

(519) 821-3359 X2 – 37 Quebec St. – info@artisanale.ca – Chef Yasser hosts large organic events/100+ people

Atmosphere Café :

(519) 824-0430 – 24 Carden St.

Borealis Grille & Bar :

(519) 341-9752 – 1388 Gordon St. – caters organic events on request/also Slow Food samplings

Carden St. Café : (sadly, after many years, the outlet closed early January)

Diana Downtown :

(519) 836-3460 – 141 Wyndham St. N.

Einstein’s Café :

(519) 822-6742 – 2 Grant St.

Fifty West Restaurant at the Delta Guelph Hotel :

(519) 780-3706 – 50 Stone Rd. W.

Green Table Foods Catering :

(519) 826-0361 – 919 York Rd. (formerly Meals That Heal)

Lucie’s Bakery & Deli :

(519) 824-0405 – 1474 Gordon St. – organic breads

Ouderkirk & Taylor Bakery :

(519) 827-9378 – 3 Wyndham Street N.

Planet Bean Organic Coffee Bar :

(519) 823-9253 – 51 Macdonell St.

Planet Bean Roasting/Coffee Bar :

(519) 837-1040 – 259 Grange Rd. #2

Planet Bean/Gordon Street Café :

(519) 265-9144 – 1467 Gordon St., #1

The Cornerstone :

(519) 827-0145 – 1 Wyndham St. N.

The Fat Duck :

(519) 827-0533 – 210 Kortright Rd. W.

The Gordon Street Lounge/Best Western Royal Brock Hotel :

(519) 836-1240 – 716 Gordon Street

The Red Brick Café :

(519) 836-1126 – 8 Douglas St.

The Stone Store Natural Foods (Benefactor Sponsor – 2012 Conference) :

(519 821-2020 – 14 Commercial St. This retail store is a long-time Conference SPONSOR. This is one of the oldest whole foods/organic stores in Ontario, with deep roots going back to the time when granola was a new food and bulk peanut butter was a novelty. When coming to the Conference, if you are heading into town, running off to the restaurant, budgeting your time en route to the busy Conference workshops, slipping away to your favourite party, or just needing comfort food for the time while you meander the aisles of the Expo… please stock up at Stone Store! Featuring: •organic snack food, •bars, •Camino chocolate, •cereal, •corn chips, •milk, •yogurt… and other exotic foods for your craving. Great for your hotel room, the B & B, or to share with friends at the late afternoon gathering point! Many of us have shopped at the Stone Store since the mid-1970′s.

The Woolwich Arrow :

(519) 836-2875 – 176 Woolwich St. – formerly the Woolwich Arms

Wild Organic Way Café :

(519) 766-1701 – 22 Carden St.

With The Grain :

(519) 827-0008 – 294 Woolwich St.

Serving an ORGANIC OPTION from the 16th to the 29th of January.

Vegetarian: Organic Sweet Green Pea Potage – This hearty and thick soup is made with orga;nic onions, carrots, celery, potatoes, and sweet green peas. Blended with organic cream and finished with a splash of wine. ORGANIC INGREDIENTS: onions, carrots, celery, potatoes, parsley, green peas, yogurt and cream. Non-organic (& in small amounts): olive oil, water, white wine, salt, pepper and honey (honey is local coneybeare honey).

Feature Salad: Organic Roasted Beets with Blueberries – Organic greens are tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette and topped with organic roasted beets, blueberries and grated carrot ORGANIC INGREDIENTS: beets, carrots, blueberry, mixed greens, balsamic vinegar. Non-organic: dressing items — olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, dijon & dried basil.

*If you are short of info, of details or needing something more in depth about your Guelph experience, please also call the Visitors Convention Bureau – (800) 334-4519 or check them out at: guelph.ca/visiting.cfm or: visit@guelph.ca

*Other restaurants, outlets, caterers………. will be listed when confirmed

*To be included on this list, contact Guelph Conf. Mgr: organix@georgian.net or phone (519) 824-4120 X56205

*All suggestions, first-person reviews and diners’ comments welcome.