Learn how to become a better land steward

By Gary Sliworsky
OMAFRA Rep.

Would you like to find out how to improve your farming production AND become an even better steward of your land? Then you should attend the upcoming “Land Stewardship and the Farmer Workshop” to learn how.
The workshop is being presented by the Rainy River District Stewardship Council in partnership with the Soil & Crop Improvement Association.
The keynote speaker for the workshop is Brian Gilvesy. After graduating from the Richard Ivey School of Business at University of Western Ontario, Brian became the proprietor of the Y U Ranch, an award winning ranch located in Norfolk County.
While Brian produces Local Food Plus certified beef at the Y U Ranch, he is also the Chairman of the Norfolk County ALUS Pilot Project and Co-Chair of the Sustain Ontario Steering Committee, a coalition for good food and farming.
In 2009, Brian received the International Texas Longhorn Association Breeder of the Year award. He was also the 2008 recipient of the Canadian Agri-Food Award of Excellence for Environmental Stewardship and a 2007 recipient of the Ontario Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation.
Others on the agenda for the workshop, and their topics, are:
John Van Den Broeck, MNR Biodiversity/Species at Risk Biologist
–Our Communities: Living on the Edge
–Farming and Species at Risk Conservation
–Dick Trivers, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association
–Environmental Farm Plan, Incentive Programs
–Jeff Pollard, Beef Farmer
–Local Stewardship Project
–David May, Stewardship Coordinator
–Rainy River District Stewardship, Local Opportunities
–The workshop host will be Kim Jo Bliss, Rainy River District Stewardship Council Member.
–The workshop will be taking place:
Saturday, March 5, 2011, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Emo Legion. Lunch will be provided.
For more information visit: http://www.ontariostewardship.org/councils/rainy-river/
Those interested in attending are asked to please RSVP by Friday, February 25, 2011 with David May at 807-274-8637 or david.may@ontario.ca
Attendees must RSVP in order to be eligible to win a door prize and to assist in ensuring there is enough lunch for everyone!