Grey Agricultural Services offering different courses for farmers

Dec 30, 2016

Courses run from January to March

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Farmers looking to pick up a few additional skills over the winter can take a variety of courses offered by Grey Agricultural Services.

Between January and March, producers can participate in up to 13 different courses, each with a specific topic of discussion, ranging from starting a farm to necessary tools for a mobile office. And certified crop advisors who take part will be eligible for CEU credits for some of the courses.

All courses will be held at the Grey County Agricultural Services Centre, 206 Toronto St. South, Unit 3, Markdale, ON.

The course listing includes:

Becoming a carbon farmer (Thursday, Jan. 26)
Summary: Chuck Mitchell will discuss how farmers can reduce carbon emissions and "Cap and Trade," whereby farmers may be able to receive payments from carbon emitters to sequester carbon on their farms.

Cost: $10 per person
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Farmers must register by Monday, Jan. 23.

Starting a farm in Ontario (Thursday, Mar. 2)
Summary: Nick Betts of OMAFRA will discuss the resources available to farmers and answer questions about starting a farm in the province.

Cost: $10 per person
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Farmers must register by Friday, Feb. 24.

Tips and tricks for fire prevention (Monday, Mar. 6, and Tuesday, Mar. 21)
Summary: OMAFRA’s Jacqui Empson Laporte will demonstrate a camera that fits onto your smartphone to help you identify electrical problems before they turn into something tragic. She will also explain the camera lending program which helps people use the technology, and explain how it fits with more detailed inspections by insurance companies. John Van de Vegte, OMAFRA, will explain how fires start and how preventative maintenance on the electrical system in your barn can help reduce your risk of fire.

Cost: $10 per person
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Farmers must register by Thursday, Mar. 2 or Friday, Mar. 17.

Farm technology – tools for your mobile office (Wednesday, Mar. 8)
Summary: Representatives from OMAFRA, AGnition and Agronomy Advantage will be on hand to lead farmers through an interactive discussion about new ways of collecting data. Farmers are encouraged to bring their smartphones and tablets to participate in the session.

Cost: $20 per person
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Farmers must register by Wednesday, Mar. 1.

To register for any of these courses, producers can call 519-986-3756 or email info@greyagservices.ca.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.