Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association

Providing knowledge and leadership to grow the farm fresh experience.

Fresh Facts
Newsletter #286
March 2013
Volume 28, Number 3

Presidents Message
Hello OFFMA members and friends, I am proud to say that I have been a member of The Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association for over 20 years. During that time, I have come to value this membership above all the other organizations that I am affiliated with. The ideas, support, knowledge, tools, training, networking and friendships gained over these years are what have made our business what it is today. The more you get involved, the more you will get out so I would encourage you all to participate in all that OFFMA has to offer. I have found this to be particularly true for the time spent on the board as well. It is truly a great honour to be able to serve as the new President of this incredible association. At this time of year, life takes on a little different pace for many of us but there are still many things that need to be done. Spending quality time with family, year- end taxes, finding your desk, repairs and maintenance, snow clearing, animals to care for, trade shows, conventions, seminars, workshops, pruning, certificates to update, manuals to review, web sites and marketing material to update, seeds and inventory to order and lots of planning to name only a few! (This is only part of the answer to one of the most frequently asked questions, What do you do all winter?) OFFMA has an ambitious number of interesting and worthwhile tours and events planned for the upcoming year that I am really excited about. We hope that you are able to include these into your schedules. They will certainly give you some of your best return on investment of both time and money. Watch for details in the upcoming Fresh Facts newsletters. If your travels ever bring you to Eastern Ontario, please stop by for a visit. Yours in farm marketing,

Inside this issue:

Classifieds & Membership News The Art of Giving Great Service Awards Gala Cold Storage, Hot Treats and Training on Adding Value The Power of Why Chick Program Upcoming Events

2 4 6 8 9 10 12

Brian Hugli OFFMA President

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Fresh Facts

CLASSIFIEDS
OFFMA decided to try and provide an area for classifieds at the Summit in Niagara Falls last month. As you can see lots of items were posted for sale and well as things members were looking to purchase. Please go directly to contacts provided if you are interested in anything listed.

Award Trailer 1988 -approved to house 2 Working condition, needs some repair to doors & walls, asking $2500 Contact Dianne or Colin, info@campbellsorchard.com Wic Straw Mulcher Single row small bale mulcher for strawberries. 3PH 2000.00. We haven't used this for many years as we switched to using large round bales. It does a very good job of placing the straw directly on the rows. Contact Ben McLean at Buckhorn Berry Farm 705-657-8888, farmerben2000@msn.com or Sam McLean at 705-657-1630, smclean@mcleanberryfarm.com

FOR SALE
Cider Jug caps - Red Full case of 2000 tamper-proof Cider jug caps. Purchased from Wellington Wood Products. Paid $590+tax = $667. Asking: $475. Contact - Marita Waddell, Waddell Apples, 613-546-1690 or waddell.apples@gmail.com HARDI NK 155 3 PTH SPRAYER 26 FT BOOM, 1203 PUMP, $3100.00 Call Sharon Clugston at 519-647-2415 or shearlea.acres@sympatico.ca WIFO 3PTH FORKLIFT FOLDABLE FORKS, $600.00 Call Sharon Clugston at 519-647-2415 or shearlea.acres@sympatico.ca Two Old Coffins used in a CBC movie $100 each, laura@springridgefarm.com Two Row Bed Maker, Two Row Plastic Mulch Layer smclean2191@gmail.com twitter@mcleanberryfarm Apples for Sale Empire, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Cortland, Mutsu, Macintosh, Royal Gala Scott 905-584-0354, office@albionorchards.com Convection Oven Hobart for $200 O.B.O. Stainless steel, electric, on stand, capacity is 20 - 10 pies Albion Orchards 905-584-0354, office@albionorchards.com Vertgro Hydroponic System Call Jerry Howell, 905-327-4845 People Transport Wagon Great shape-red, rear fold up steps, 8 x 20, walking beam, convertible john@springridgefarm.com

Almost New! 30 qt SPAR Stand Mixer

Spar Mixer Model SP30-HI, with attachments (dough hook, beater paddle, whisk). 3-speed, powerful motor, bowl guard, low usage. $2500 (valued at over $4,000). Contact Marita Waddell, Waddell Apples, waddell.apples@gmail.com or 613-5461690 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WANTED
Good French Fry Potato Variety to Grow Jerry Howell, 905-327-4845 Used 20 Quart Mixer Looking for a source for a vacuum sealer Mark & Cindy Gerber Oakridge Acres oakridge@golden.net 519-632-7653 Digital Retail Scale up to 15 lbs., does not need to provide prices Bakery Sheeter Steve & Lisa Cooper 905-473-9867, steve-lisacooper@coopersfarm.ca Baking Trays for Pies patti@barriehillfarms.com Frozen Yogurt Machine Nokara Farms, Anna Boekestyn aboekestyn@nokarafarms.ca, 905-4015249

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Donut Maker 519-791-9429 Tom Used Eco Weeder single row, with implements. Contact Dana Thatcher 519-8564073, buylocal@thatcher-farms.com The Classifieds are for OFFMA members who are selling a product or are looking for something specific. There is no charge for a member to list a classified ad. Just send your ad to the OFFMA office for inclusion in the next newsletter.

Membership fees are now overdue

This will be the last newsletter sent if the office has not received your membership fee of $189 + HST. There is a yellow reminder on page one if we are still waiting for your dues.
Jenifer Smith Cherry Lane Vineland, ON 905-562-4337 jenifer@cherrylane.net www.cherrylane.net Growing cherries, peaches, and pears, and selling at their market along with dried cherries and concentrated tart cherry juice. Don Evans A Rural Retreat Cavan Monaghan, ON 705-917-2662 Retreat2662@gmail.com Growing a wide variety of vegetables, selling at their market and offering PYO. Also including group functions, and food service. Sonia Wilson Wilsons Fresh Blueberries Lindsay, ON 705-799-0315 info@wilsonsfreshblueberries.ca www.wilsonsfreshblueberries.ca They grow blueberries, sell at their market, and offer PYO. Feature wagon rides, tours, and edible landscaping.

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New Members
Welcome to the following farmers who have decided to hang their hats with Ontario Farm Fresh. If they are near by or sell a similar commodity send a quick note or give them a call and encourage them to come out to a workshop and meet some of the Farm Fresh family. Mike Van Kempen Bills Turkey Farm Queensville, ON 905-478-4677 billsturkeyfarm@yahoo.ca www.billsturkeyfarm.com Raising turkeys for sale at their market focusing on the Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving times of the year. Debbie Ziraldo Ziraldo Alpacas Thorndale, ON 519-461-1582 zalpacas@xplornet.com www.zalpacas.com Raising alpacas for alpaca fibre, alpaca yarn, alpaca socks, which they sell at their market. Also offering farm tours and workshops. Monica Howe Howe Family Farm Market Aylmer, ON 519-773-3837 monica.howe@hotmail.com They grow a wide variety of fruit and vegetables that they sell at their market featuring pumpkins, strawberries, and squash. Jonathan Rochon Jardin Rochon Garden Edwards, ON 613-821-3245 rochonfarms@yahoo.ca www.jardinrochongarden.ca Growing and selling at their market, a full complement of fruits & vegetables, featuring sweet corn, tomatoes, and PYO strawberries

Business Members
Mobile Juice Factory Frank Deiter Vernon, BC 205-503-4731 info@mobilejuicefactory.com www.mobilejuicefactory.com Manufacturer and sales of mobile & stationary fruit processing, juicing equipment & pasteurizer. Marketfresh Peter Weel Stayner, ON 519-800-2211 support@marketfresh.com www.marketfreshapp.com Marketing an App on iPhone and Android to locate local on-farm markets

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Fresh Facts

Zingermans The Art of Giving Great Service Workshop

a review by Dana Thatcher, Thatcher Farms

Dont open a shop unless you know how to smile. These are great words of wisdom offered to the many OFFMA members who attended the Zingermans preconvention workshop on The Art of Giving Great Service. It was an information packed day on the topic of creating a culture within your business, where not only do the owners thrive, but the employees and the customers do too! Good service goes beyond just saying good morning to a guest, it is a way of life, a culture within your business. By building a common understanding and by creating this culture within your business, allows for the business to succeed in many ways, not just financially. By understanding together as owners and employees, not only who your customers are, but knowing what they want, allows for employees to successfully run your business as if they were owners too. The Art of Giving Great Service requires a business to have a clear vision, with many appropriate systems in place that allow the culture of the business to thrive. This allinclusive practice of running a business allows for positive results to occur as everyone involved understands the rules of the game. Building a culture of great service requires that as business owners we:

3 Steps to GREAT Service: Figure out what the guest wants Get it for them (accurately, politely and enthusiastically) Go the extra mile All of the points in the workshop are not earthshattering BUT they served as amazing reminders as to how it should be done. I know that I needed that reminder about Living It especially as our roles in the business tend to shift. As I spend more and more time in my office on the computer and on the phone, I was reminded to get out and live good service and that modeling outstanding service will not only encourage and support my employees but also demonstrate to them how it should be done. Demonstrating positive energy and encouraging everyone to bring their most positive intentions to work on a daily basis are imperative to everyone (including the customer) having a successful and productive day! NOTE: Zingermans Staff Guide is available for purchase through the OFFMA office for $10 + shipping. It is a paperback, easy to read, great reference manual. Highly recommended by everyone who has purchased one.
REMINDERthe product catalogue was sent out with the February newsletter. Please get your orders into the office right away as we will be shipping out shortly and generally have very little inventory available later in the year.

Teach It Define It Live It Measure It Reward It

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Help With Our #1 Challenge

By Steve Smith, Smiths Apples and Farm Market Most OFFMA members grow their farm businesses such that help is a necessity for survival especially at the seasonal crazy times. When we hire people to help, we open the floodgates of compliance with a number of pieces of legislation and that can be challenging. Thankfully, help is available. Cindy Ashton of Ashton Consulting, a human resources consulting firm, has been hired by OFFMA to build an Employee Manual that can be used as a template for your business. At her presentation at the OFVC in Niagara Falls, she outlined the features of the manual. It is a thorough and impressive document. The best part is its adaptability to the size of your workforce. You simply include the sections that apply to you and voila; you and your employees have a clear understanding of the policies and procedures applicable in your workplace. If you already have an employee manual, integrating both would be a great way to update. Download your copy today at: http://ontariofarmfresh.com/about-us/resources/sample-employee-manual/ You can also order a hard copy from the office for $5.00 + shipping.
This project was funded in part through the Agricultural Management Institute (AMI). The AMI is part of the Best Practices Suite of programs for Growing Forward, a federalprovincial-territorial initiative.

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Fresh Facts

Champions are 40 years in the making

by Cathy Bartolic

In 1973, a group of on-farm marketers decided to create an organization that could promote the direct farm marketing industry, encourage improvements and maintain integrity in the industry. Forty years later, the organization recognized some of its champions at an Awards Gala held in Niagara Falls in conjunction with the Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention. Champions were recognized in four categories; Leadership, Food Innovation, Outstanding Farm Marketer and the AmbasThe Brooks Family; Alvin, Paul, Kelly with Penny is her arms and Brenda sador Award.
were at the Gala to accept the Outstanding Farm Marketer Award.

Joy and Earl Stanley from Stanleys Olde Maple Farm were recognized with the Leadership Award. The Stanleys have given so much of themselves since they joined OFFMA almost a decade ago. They have personally visited several members across the province, hosted hospitality suites for many events, encouraged on-farm marketers to join OFFMA and put many miles on their vehicles to participate in the annual potlucks. For more info about their operation, visit stanleysfarm.com

cider.ca for additional information. Brooks Farms was presented the Outstanding Farm Marketer Award for all the great products and activities they offer on their farm near Mount Albert. The serendipitous combination of Pauls agricultural background and Kellys graphic design skills has created a brand second to none. Brooks Farms offers everything from a Maple Sugar Festival to Pumpkin PYO fields and a barnyard playland. Further information can be

Geissberger Farmhouse Cider is the winner of the inaugural Food Innovation Award sponsored by Foodland Ontario. The apples are pressed in a mobile cider mill that can be moved from farm to farm. The final product is presented in a vacuum sealed bag in a box system without preservatives that requires no refrigeration and has a terrific shelf life. It is a winwin-win for the grower, the processor and the consumGord (left) and Garry (right) Geissbereger accept the inaugural Food Innovaer. Check out farmhousetion Award from Cara Epp, OFFMA Board Member and one of the judges for the competition.

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found at brooksfarms.com. Mairlyn Smith, cookbook author and local food promoter, was thrilled to accept the Ontario Farm Fresh Ambassador Award. Mairlyn is a regular on both Cityline and Breakfast Television. Her gift to the direct farm marketing industry is that she never misses an opportunity to promote buying directly from a farmer. Humour is her secret weapon; she can make people laugh while she is teaching them to eat well and to make good decisions about their food. An ambassador in every sense of the word. OFFMA has come a long way in the last forty years. Our members are some of the most successful, most innovative farm entrepreneurs in Ontario.
Jesse Lauzon shares a humourous moment with Mairlyn Smith after she was awarded OFFMAs Ambassador Award.

Thank you to the sponsors who helped make this event so special for the winners and the members. We couldnt have done it without you. OFFMA is honoured to have you in our company.

Flanagan Foodservice

Protect Your Customer & Your Farm Know Your Risks and Manage Them
Cambridge HotelTuesday, March 19, 2013 Kemptville CollegeThursday, March 21, 2013 Disaster can happen at any time and you need to be prepared and ready. Inviting the public onto your farm creates another layer of responsibility. Ontario Farm Fresh has brought together peers who have experienced a disaster and professionals who can help you prepare. Topics to be included:

on-farm water safety, keeping children safe on the farm, animal display guidelines, what to ask your insurance broker, and farm liability issues.

There will be a HUGE amount of information to collect and take home. Ignorance is NOT bliss, the child you keep safe on your farm may be your own. Complete reg form included in this packagedont miss this workshop.

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Fresh Facts

Cold Storage, Hot Treats and new Training on Adding Value

By Carl Fletcher, Strategic Business Planning Program Lead, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food

This article focuses on three new twists to technologies that could create profit opportunities on your farm. Cold Storage Farmers are well aware of the potential benefits that on-farm cold storage can bring to keeping the fresh in farm fresh whether sold on farm or through farmers markets, CSAs or other market channels. Previously the cost of walk in cooler compressor cold storage units has often been too high for smaller farm operations to afford. On Cornell Universitys Small Farm Project website, www.smallfarms.cornell.edu/2012/06// 27/coolbot-enables-small-farmers-tobuild-do-it-yourself-coolers/, Aaron Munzer reports on how patent pending technology allows a home window air conditioner to keep a well-insulated room as cold as 35 F (2 C) degrees consistently, while at the same time using about half the electricity of a comparably sized standard compressor. The micro controller brain tricks the home air conditioner to cool beyond its regular range but does not allow the unit to frost over or drop the storage temperature to freezing. Hot Treats Using a portable sweet corn roaster trailer (an internet search will show you these machines), Bobs Corn and Pumpkin Patch, Snohomish, Washington State, www.bobscorn.com serves customers baked acorn squash halves-with either sweet or savoury dressings, baked apples with ice cream and roasted peaches), in addition to sweet corn. Cooking up these hot treats Bobs portable roaster warms hearts and

tummies on cool fall days while helping to spread the cost of the roaster over a longer season. The portable roaster can be used for off-farm events as well. Training on Adding Value from the Comfort of Your Home In addition to traditional classroom workshops the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food is offering the Evaluating Value Added Opportunities (EVAO) course entirely on-line letting you take it at your convenience 24/7, at your own speed, and in the comfort of your home. This course explores generating value added ideas, selecting your best idea, assessing your ideas business potential and next steps. To register for either workshops or the on-line course go to www.ontario.ca/ e996 In addition a pilot Virtual Community Exploring Value Added Opportunities Virtual Community 1.0 has been launched combining use of a Facebook page, and a LinkedIn group. What is a virtual community? A virtual community is an online social network where people who have similar interests can come together to share and learn from each other. Who can join the EVAO virtual community? Anyone with an interest in value added activities especially farmers, rural entrepreneurs, students or advisors are encouraged to join. If you are currently operating a value added business share your knowledge and experience. If you are considering a value added activities, bring your questions or get feedback on your ideas. To join the EVAO virtual community follow links available at www.ontario.ca/e996 For any questions or more information about EVAO contact carl.fletcher@ontario.ca .

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Book Review
The Power of Why; Simple Questions that lead to Success by Amanda Lang
ISBN 978-1-44341-318-3
First introduced to me during the November Bus Tour by Don McKay, I knew it would be an interesting read and I wasnt disappointed. You still have time to get a copy of this handy book and get through it before the silly season starts for some of you. It is a captivating, easy read filled with tidbits that can be applied to everyday life.

What can you learn from a toddler? Why are some people able to get so much done in so little time? How do certain companies flourish in tough times while others fail? Are innovators born or made?

Amanda Lang is a Gemini award winning business journalist and the senior business correspondent for CBC News as well as the co-host of the Lang and OLeary Exchange on CBC Television. In her book she writes about several entrepreneurs; laying out their story but also trying to dig deeper and understand the steps involved in their entrepreneurial success. She addresses the importance of maintaining the curiosity exhibited by toddlers who continually ask why as they seek to understand how the world works. The book challenges conventional wisdom and offers practical, inspiring advice. The Power of Why shows how its possible to re-ignite your innate curiosity and overcome long-standing barriers, leaving you more creative, productive and fulfilled in your job. -C. Bartolic

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Fresh Facts

A Chick Program from Great Country Farm in Virginia

Editors note: Kate Zurschmeide had agreed to do the first ever webinar at the OFFMA Summit in Niagara Falls last month. Her presentation was titled Refining Your CSA for the Next Decade and I thought I should visit her website to get a better understanding of the various products and programs her farm offers. This idea caught my attention. Many people buy chicks and bunnies for their children at Easter but have no idea what to do with them once they outgrow the fuzzy, cute baby phase. This program seems to be a win-win for the farmer and the customer.

raise them. Chicks like company so the minimum package is 4 peeps. Chicks will be available to pick up starting Saturday, March 23rd through Saturday, March 30th. March 23rd & 24th is our Marshmallow Harvest and chicks can only be picked up between 2pm-5pm. March 25th-March 30th you can pick up your chicks between 10am and 5pm. Our hayride driver will help assest you but please keep in mind he will be unavailable for 30 minutes at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. We are closed on Easter Sunday. Are you ready to raise some cool little chickens? All the chicks are female rainbow layers from McMurray Hatchery, meaning they are a mixed variety. www.mcmurrayhatchery.com. They are only a week old and are vaccinated for Mareks disease and have been in our care the first couple of days so they are coming to you healthy! When you pick up the chicks, we will provide you with a small temporary box and 1 qt bag of food (lasts 3 weeks) to get you started. We also recommend you purchase: 8 Hole Round Feeder Mason Jar Poultry Water-er Heat Lamp w/ 6 cord & 100W Bulb (We recommend a 250W Bulb if your chicks will be outside or in the garage) You can find these items at Southern States,

Here a peep there a peep, take some home to share a peep! Great Country Farms is getting ready for another awesome year of fantastic food, great fun and fabulous learning experiences with a special opportunity for your family to learn first-hand the fun of raising spring chicks! Baby peeps (chicks) are super cute and super easy and a really awesome experience for both little people and big people! If youre not allowed to keep grown-up chickens in your backyard NO WORRIES!!! Great Country Farms can take your peeps back and give them a good home after they are all grown up. Twenty five dollars gets your family 4 bundles of fluff, a small bag of starter feed and Farmer Bobs Peep Program booklet that tells you all about your little chicks and how to

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Tractor Supply Shop, or for convenience we can get it for you and have everything ready when you pick them up. You can start making orders February 25thand dont wait because we only have so many of these special little guys available! Please choose below to purchase just the chicks, or the chicks and supplies. In the description area on the payment page please let us know what day you plan on picking up your chicks so we can be prepared for you. 4 chicks - $25 USD, 4 chicks and supplies $55 USD Bottom of Form Thank you for helping us raise our

little fluff balls! If you have any questions please email vanessa@greatcountryfarms.com
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Also found on the Web. Best Practices for Sampling at Farmers MarketsA Practical Guide for Farmers Market Vendors (but also very applicable for onfarm marketers) http://www.ca.uky.edu/ cmspubsclass/files/ extensionpubs/2012-19.pdf

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Fresh Facts

Upcoming Events for 2013

March 19 & 21 Risk Management Workshops, Guelph and Kemptville, Contact Cathy at 905-841-9278 for more information. Aug. 7& 8 Ontario Farm Fresh
Cathy Bartolic, Executive Director 2002 Vandorf Rd. Aurora, ON L4G 7B9 Phone: 905-841-9278 Fax: 905-726-3369 E-mail: info@ontariofarmfresh.com www.ontariofarmfresh.com 2013-14 OFFMA Board of Directors Brian Hugli, President Huglis Blueberry Patch Leslie Forsythe, Vice President Forsythe Family Farms Jesse Lauzon, Past President Springridge Farm Hollis English, Murphys Farmstead Cara Epp, Associate Member Cara Epp Marketing Nicole Judge, Spirit Tree Estate Cidery Steve Martin, Martins Family Fruit Farm Colleen Pingle, Pingles Farm Market Steve Smith, Smiths Apples Cana Thatcher, Thatcher Farms Carl Fletcher, OMAFRA (Acting Advisor to the Board)

Simcoe County Bus tour.stay tuned for additional information Bus tour to California...save the date, additional info to follow.

Nov. 11-15

Here is your 2013-14 OFFMA Board of Directors

These volunteer board members give freely of their time to provide direction and guidance for the Direct Farm Marketing Industry in Ontario. We applaud your efforts and dedication. Brian Hugli, President Huglis Blueberry Ranch, Pembroke, ON, 613-638-1288(w), info@blueberryranch.ca Leslie Forsythe, Vice-President Forsythe Family Farms Inc., Uxbridge, 905-887-1086(w), forsythefamilyfarms@gmail.com Jesse Lauzon, Past President Springridge Farm, Milton, 905-878-4908(w), jesse@springridgefarm.com Hollis English Murphys Farmstead, Alliston, 705-435-2141(farm mkt.), hollis.murphy@gmail.com Cara Epp (Associate Member) Edana Integrated Marketing, Brampton, 647-217-2835, cara@edana.ca Nicole Judge Spirit Tree Estate Cidery, Caledon, 905-838-2530(farm), contactus@spirittreecider.com Steve J. Martin Martins Family Fruit Farm Ltd., Waterloo, 519-664-2750(w), stevem@martinsapples.com Colleen Pingle Pingles Farm Market, Hampton, 905-725-6089(h&w), colleen@pinglesfarmmarket.com Steve Smith Smiths Apples & Farm Market, Port Elgin, 519-832-2971, info@smithapples.com Dana Thatcher Thatcher Farms, Rockwood, 519-856-4073(store), buylocal@thatcher-farms.com Carl Fletcher (Board Advisor) OMAFRA, Guelph, 519-826-3235, carl.fletcher@ontario.ca Cathy Bartolic (Secretary/Treasurer) OFFMA, Aurora, 905-841-9278(w), cathy@ontariofarmfresh.com