Meet & Greets

January 31, 2012

Wow, what a lot of great meetings !  More here as we get the results from the multiple meeting organizers.

[ALL OF THE FOLLOWING HAS NOW BEEN DELIVERED] – This is the most incredible part of the Guelph Conference – free meetings.  If you’ve been kicking around the idea of getting into organics, then why not take in the free Expo (Jan. 28-29) then at noon, pop up to the Guelph U.C. 3rd and 4th floors to get in on the action !

So, in addition to the detailed and exhausting workshop-seminar program over the January 26-29 period, the Conference annually hosts multiple meetings, trainings, consultations, networkings, hospitalities, awards, special talks and other out-of-the limelight events.  Some are paid, most are free.  Any updates will have a (***) beside the info.  These groups are exhibitors, sponsors, trainers and in some cases, interested individuals who just want to present their research for public comment.

***Meetings, meetings, meetings.  They’ve come in pretty briskly and we think all of them are listed below – with full explanations for all these special events outside the main Guelph workshop program.  Exact meeting details, times, prices & contacts are shown below.

***-WHAT: Discussion about the Organic Science Cluster, and stakeholder input on planning/prioritizing research for the next 5 years

-WHO: Anyone who thinks research/science is important for the development of organics in Canada (production, processing, marketing, policy, social)

-WHY: The Organic Science Cluster will direct almost all of the federally funded organic research that happens in Canada. Stakeholder input is critical for identifying research priorities for 2013-2018. If Ontario stakeholders do not participate in identifying priorities for the province, then research here may be overlooked.

-WHEN: Saturday, January 28 from 12:00-2:00 (bring your lunch)

-WHERE: held at room UC335 on the actual day, or prior, so your comments are put on the agenda, please send via E-Mail to Andy Hammermeister at ahammermeister@nsac.ca.

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THURSDAY/JANUARY 26 – International Organic Inspectors Association [IOIA] training

JANUARY 5 – the IOIA group has decided to make their training meeting open to sincere and motivated personnel in the organic sector.  The meeting runs as an all-day program on Thursday, January 26th.  It is a separate registration, outside the Conference program but will be held on the 4th floor of the Guelph U.C. in a room provided by the Conference.  Details are now provided here:

***IOIA - ADVANCED INSPECTOR TRAINING COURSE – see bottom of this listing for registration info

Guelph University Centre, Jan. 26, 2012 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location: Guelph University Centre Building, Room 441 (4th floor)

Moderator: Bill Barkley, IOIA Canadian Committee Chair

Trainers and Special Guests:  Dan Scheele, Dave Lockman, Garry Lean, Jennifer Scott, Kelly Monaghan, Ken Commins and Simon Jacques

PARTICIPANT AGENDA

9:00 - Introductions

Update on Canadian Organic Régime (COR) Standard and Permitted Substances List (PSL)

Bill Barkley, IOIA Canadian Committee Chair, Kelly Monaghan, Garry Lean IOIA Trainers, Ontario

10:30 – B  R  E  A  K

10:55 - Identifying organic fraud - Ken Commins, IOAS, North Dakota

12:45 – L  U  N  C  H

1:30 - Inspector’s Corner (inspecting hogs to the COR) - Dan Scheele, Advanced Inspector, Ontario

2:00 - Certifier Panel - Jennifer Scott, CSI, Simon Jacques,  Ecocert Canada, Dave Lockman ProCert Canada

3:30 – B  R  E  A  K

4:00 - Inspector Issues Discussion & AGM update – Bill Barkley

This session is open to all inspectors, whether or not registered for the training.

4:30 – Distribute certificates

Acceptance Criteria - Participants in IOIA Advanced Inspector Training courses must meet course acceptance criteria, including prior completion of two inspector training courses and 2 years inspection experience with at least 20 inspections or 1 year inspection experience with at least 30 inspections. Requests for exceptions to the requirements should be addressed to the IOIA Executive Director. Advanced Inspector Training Certificates of Completion are given to those who attend all sessions and meet acceptance criteria.

Participants who do not meet these criteria are welcome to attend and will receive Certificates of Completion for Organic Inspection Workshop.

Fee of $225 includes tuition, course materials + organic lunch. For more info about this training and to obtain an application, contact Margaret Scoles at mscoles@rangeweb.net

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SATURDAY/JANUARY 28 – FarmStart Networking Room – held in UC441 

***FarmLINK “Meet & Greet”  •  Saturday January 28^th, noon – 1:15pm

At the Guelph Organic Conference  •  UC441, Guelph University Centre 4th floor

Do you have land you want to make available to a farmer? Or, are you a new farmer looking for land?

Then come join us at the Guelph Organic Conference for a chance to meet in person!

FarmLINK ‘Meet & Greets’ are a great opportunity for farmland owners and farm seekers to:

•connect with people wanting to meet you

•access helpful resources on land and labour sourcing

•learn what new services FarmStart has to offer you!

For more information contact laurie@farmstart.ca or (519) 836 7046 x 109 

Alexandra English, Training & Resources Program Manager – FarmStart
www.farmstart.ca  •  519.836.7046 ext.104

Please follow FarmStart at http://twitter.com/FarmStart

[MANAGER'S NOTE: FarmStart has a booth in the Expo in the Basement Level, centre section, along with several like-minded non-profit groups]

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SATURDAY-SUNDAY/JANUARY 28-29 – Tony Hornick’s Sprouting Information Room – Room UC332, both days, 12.00 noon

***Tony will explain the theory and practice behind sprout growing at home using his simple sprouter device.

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SATURDAY/JANUARY 28 – Organic Council of Ontario ‘Organic Awards Evening’

***Downtown Guelph at the River Run Centre, starting at 7.00 pm  -  quickly starting to fill – please contact OCO as soon as possible to book one of the 120 available spots at this event (more to follow soon)

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SATURDAY-SUNDAY/JANUARY 28-29 – The Co-op IceBreaker Lounge & Meeting Area

***Destined to be a happening place during the Conference – just up the 15 stairs on the MEZZANINE LEVEL of the Guelph University Centre [Main Level] right behind the Ontario Natural Food Co-op booths.  A full co-op mini-expo display area.  Watch for the large CO-OP BANNER on the railing just up on the 2nd level.  Learn everything you ever wanted to know about organic co-ops and other co-op models.

PLANET BEAN ORGANIC COFFEE, GUELPH – will be serving organic espresso there on Saturday and Sunday [free] for visiting the Lounge.

Watch for the Conference red-black draping up the stairs  to the MEZZANINE.  Bring your questions about organic co-op marketing.

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SATURDAY/JANUARY 28 – Pollination room – held in Room UC333, 12.00 noon, organized by Susan Chan

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FRIDAY/JANUARY 27 – Organic Materials Review Institute Meeting

***Program runs as a trade-only information room on Friday, Jan. 27 at 1.00 pm, Room UC441

OMRI Materials Review and Canadian Standards

1 pm to 2:30 pm – Room UC441

This meeting will begin with a presentation by OMRI’s Program Director, Lindsay Fernandez-Salvador, to include highlights from OMRI’s history and experience establishing a third-party review organization in the U.S. Then she will discuss OMRI’s current review procedures and process.  The remainder of the meeting will include questions and open discussion about materials review in Canada.

Please RSVP to marketing@omri.org to express interest in this restricted meeting.

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SATURDAY-SUNDAY/JANUARY 28-29 – Organic Networking Room for Farmers’ Markets:  New Connections, New Opportunities, New Crops ! [right in the Basement Level Expo, free entry] 

***NETWORK WITH MARKET FOLKS

• Are you a farmer looking for markets or opportunities in and around the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario’s Greenbelt region?

• Are you a consumer looking for sources of tasty, local and organic products?

• Are you a market organizer in search of organic vendors?

• Are you interested in learning about new vegetable crops in Canada?

Come join us in the Organic Networking Room for Farmers’ Markets, Saturday January 28th and Sunday January 29th all day, both days!

•NOTE: To Farmers & Market Organizers: bring copies of your contact information for our ‘farmer to market’ matchmaking table!

For more information, contact greenbeltfarmersmarketnetwork@gmail.com or call 416-536-9103.

MANAGER’S NOTE: this room is set-up as a direct walk-through room area in the Basement Lobby booth area.  Thus, while in the lower level of the Guelph University Centre, be sure to walk through the NETWORK ROOM.  To get to the BASEMENT LEVEL, you access it via 2 large sets of stairs and 2 elevators.  Don’t miss this exciting NETWORK room and linger a while.

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SUNDAY/JANUARY 29 – International Groups Networking Room – Followed by REAP-Canada AGM

***Great networking opportunity for organizations or individuals who are interested in agriculture & international development

Sunday, Jan. 29 at 11.45 am, then the REAP-CANADA AGM at 1.00 pm, Room UC335

Postponed for this year but inquire while at the Conference about the various private hospitality suites taking place at nearby hotels and other venues.  The intention of this sampling event was to focus the several organic beer and wine suppliers supporting this Conference, namely: Beau’s Brewing, Nicklebrook, FrogPond Winery, Southbrook Winery, Tawse Winery and several others. Fortunately, the multiple private hospitality events have taken up the cause and will be featuring these brands at their events.  Also, for 2013, we’ve had interest for entities wishing to do a downtown Guelph public tasting exactly along the lines of what we planned this year, so let’s see what the next year brings.

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SATURDAY/JANUARY 28 – Ontario Organic Farm Adviser Network

***Where: University Centre, Room UC441

When: Saturday, January 28th, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM

Host: the Ontario Organic Farm Adviser Network

Sponsored by: Homestead Organics, which wishes to help develop this network to “grow the growers.”

Vision for this networking hospitality event: “A seamless network of organic farm advisers in Ontario, able to develop organic farming from the classroom, to the training farm, to the incubator farm then to the operational farm.  This will involve various businesses and organizations who all collaborate to train and support farmers throughout their initial learning curve leading to a life-long organic adventure.”

Participants: all the businesses, agencies, and NGOs that support, train and/or advise Ontario organic farmers.

SPECIAL NOTE: This is intended for organizations that provide training and support services to farmers.  BUT, this is not intended for commerce, certification, or inspection.

Capacity: (limited) the room capacity is 30-40 people at one time.

Refreshments: organic wine, beer, juices, and finger food.

Cost to participate: Homestead Organics is sponsoring, as well as covering the hospitality costs, but voluntary financial contributions by the participating farm advisers would be most welcome. With or without money, please join us.

Display: We invite all farm advisers/trainers/supporters in Ontario to bring a stand-up banner, flyers and business cards and to have these available by 4:15 pm at UC441.

Atmosphere: The format is a relaxed meet and greet, with casual face-to-face discussions and socializing. At the appropriate time with an optimal number of people present, we will go around the room to allow the participating farm advisers to briefly introduce themselves and their services.

If you have questions as to whether you should attend this gathering, please contact Homestead prior to the event at: tom@homesteadorganics.ca

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SATURDAY/JANUARY 28 – Organic hops production & discussion room

***Please contact Mike Driscoll (at CONTACT US) who is not only delivering the hops production workshop on Jan. 28, 3.30 pm (Cultivation of organic hops – getting started), but also hosting a HOPS ENTHUSIASTS MEETING on the Saturday, just before his workshop.  It’s held in GUELPH U.C. 333, FROM 1.30 PM-3.15 PM.  So, hop to it and go see what these fermenters are up to…… probably an uprising, no doubt.

The Conference provides various 3rd & 4th floor rooms for these at no charge.  NOTE: the OCO Organic Awards takes place off-campus at the River Run Centre, downtown Guelph, starting at 7.00 pm, Jan. 28.