NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE ORGANIC AWARD HONORING OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS IN ATLANTIC CANADA . . . WHY SOME CANADIAN MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCERS ARE DEFYING THEIR “CARTEL” . . . NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR FAMILIES TO BE RECOGNIZED DURING BREEDER’S CROWN . . . BUSINESS ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR FARM BUSINESS . . . FOREIGN MATERIAL DETECTION PROGRAM 2015-2016 . . .OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE ORGANIC AWARD HONORING OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS IN ATLANTIC CANADA
Source: ACORN
ACORN’s Annual Gerrit Loo Award is presented at the ACORN Conference each year. If you know someone who has made a significant contribution to organics in Atlantic Canada and would like to nominate them, please see the nomination form. Deadline for all nominations is Friday, October 16. (read more)

WHY SOME CANADIAN MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCERS ARE DEFYING THEIR “CARTEL”
Source: NPR
Steve Côté has had his product confiscated. He’s been under 24-hour surveillance. And he faces hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. Côté says you’d think he was dealing drugs. But it’s maple syrup from his very own trees that has him in hot water. In the Canadian province of Quebec, maple syrup producers are subject to the whims of the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, a nongovernmental organization that sets production quotas and, effectively, the price of the world maple market. Nearly all commercial producers of maple syrup in Quebec must sell their product through the federation, which promises to defend their interests, keep the business lucrative, and market their product. (read more)

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR FAMILIES TO BE RECOGNIZED DURING BREEDER’S CROWN
Source: Island Farmer
The Host Committee of the 2015 Atlantic Breeders Crown will again recognize Atlantic harness racing families for their long-term contribution to the industry. One family meeting the criteria will be selected from each of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. Awards sponsored by the Province of Prince Edward Island will be presented as part of the Host Banquet on October 10 at the Rodd Royalty Inn, The harness racing industry and general public are invited to submit nominations to the Evaluation Committees in each province for consideration for recognition. (read more)

BUSINESS ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR FARM BUSINESS
Source: NSFA You decided to farm most likely because you enjoy working with livestock, crops, and/or machinery. Few get into business because they enjoy the management necessities of a business! However running a business requires different skill sets beyond production. Through this course we will look at management skills to increase your success rate covering such topics as marketing, human resource management, record keeping, understanding financials, communication and negotiation skills, knowledge of business regulatory issues, inventory control, planning, organization, problem solving, strategic planning, succession planning, etc. The depth of each topic area will depend on the needs of the participants who sign up for the program. This course will start on Monday, September 21 and run each Monday for nine weeks from 10am to 3 pm in Bible Hill.
smackenzie@nsfa-fane.ca

FOREIGN MATERIAL DETECTION PROGRAM 2015-2016
Source: NovaScotia.ca
This program aims to protect potato growers and packers from marketing a contaminated product to commercial sellers. The primary goal of this program is to ensure that a safe Nova Scotia product is being produced and provided to the consumer. Eligible applicants consist of farmers and packers that are packaging potatoes in Nova Scotia. Applicants must be a registered farm or business with a minimum income of $10,000. All applicants must be registered with the Nova Scotia Potato Marketing Board. (read more)