Pre-spring March meetings in full bloom for Ontario GROWMARK System!

March is a topical month, marking the end of winter, the beginning of baseball season, basketball playoffs (March Madness), and for the Ontario GROWMARK System, March ends another season of extensive training, education and engagement as FS specialists gear up for spring. 

• Starting the season with a two-day FS Agronomy Conference that provided FS crop specialists with informative and interactive sessions on big data and precision-ag, the 4R conversation, weather expertise from The Weather Network and a body language analysis session; all to help crop specialists be more effective in their day-to-day analysis and communications in the field. Some feedback from attendees: “Nice mix of topics; overall very informative and worth the two days away; One of the best conferences yet." 

To hear more from conference participants, listen to the GROWMARK podcast here.

Ryan White, GROWMARK Director Agronomy talks
big data and Precision-Ag.

Neil Thornton of Thornton Group gives expressive demonstration
on the importance of body language in our everyday communications. 

• A two-day Custom Applicator Clinic offered hands-on training using simulators and equipment demonstrations to more than 80 FS custom applicators. Applicators were recognized for their hard work and expertise in precision and accuracy.

Joe Joosten, Wanstead Farmers Co-operative director and
Mary Walton, GROWMARK Ontario region administrative
assistant plot co-op principles on Ontario map.

• The FS Director Summit gave member co-operative board directors and general managers an opportunity to network, hear from GROWMARK executive teams and gain new insights into government relations strategies, ag advocacy and other pertinent topics. The theme for this year’s Summit was Principle #6 Co-operation among co-operatives and was top-of-mind throughout the event.

• Most recently, FS experts in agronomy, energy and grain marketing attended the GrainFarmers of Ontario March Classic trade show in London Ontario. This event provided a good opportunity for FS specialists to network with other industry leaders and many of their valued customers throughout the day. 

To hear more about March Classic from FS agronomy, grain marketing and energy experts, listen to the GROWMARK podcast here.

• Led by GROWMARK Ontario region staff, Successful Selling Series was offered to sales staff along with a Management Leadership Session for Ontario FS System managers, provided by Andy King, GROWMARK manager Leadership Development.

Training, education and information sharing is one 

of the seven co-operative principles. 

4-H and GROWMARK offer essay contest opportunity to Ontario high school students!

The theme for this year’s 4-H Essay Contest is: “How can co-operatives demonstrate their value to the next generation of agriculturists?" The contest is open to all Ontario high school students who are members of 4-H.

You can get started by visiting the GROWMARK or 4-H Ontario website to learn the full details on the program. Fill out the requested title page, write an impressive essay and email or mail your package to GROWMARK Ontario region office for a chance to become the Ontario provincial winner for 2018.

First place will receive $500 and the winner’s 4-H Association will also receive $300. Two runners-up each win $125.

Essays should be approximately 500 words, typed and double-spaced. The postmarked entry deadline for Ontario 4-H members is May 15. 

The essay contest has been in place for many years, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member co-operatives, in conjunction with US state FFA leaders and 4-H Ontario, to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues affecting agriculture, and understand the unique role of co-operatives. 

4-H Ontario Ambassadors continue to impress!

Thirteen years later and the 4-H Ontario Ambassador program continues to thrive. As a sponsor of this event, FS is able to meet these young leaders face-to-face and see first-hand the difference they are making in spreading awareness and promoting 4H in rural communities throughout the province.  

I was able to attend the opening orientation banquet last weekend and listen to the presentations from each of the 2017 outgoing Ambassadors as they spoke about their Community Enagagement projects. Projects ranged from hanging street banners downtown, to developing new clubs to inspire more interest. Each had a unique spin.

Introducing our 2018 4-H Ambassadors, below (L-R) Kyle Nussey of Oxford county, Melissa Brisson of Russell; Evan Jenkins, Andrea Dohner and Devin Catt from Elgin county and Nicole French, region of Peel.

Thank you to our outgoing 2017 Ambassadors. From L-R: Robert McKinlay, Nicole French, Sierra Stanley, Shannon Desjardins, Sarah Mutton and Lyndsay Dickson.