19 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER FEBRUARY 2024 TALK TODAY PROGRAM Grain Farmers of Ontario has joined with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Syngenta Canada again this year to sponsor the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division’s Talk Today program. Talk Today provides mental health support to players and raises awareness about mental health and suicide throughout the League’s communities. Mental wellness is a priority area of focus for Grain Farmers of Ontario to help Ontario grain farmers struggling with mental health issues and remove any stigma still associated with talking about mental health or seeking help. The Talk Today program from the OHL and CMHA helps start much-needed conversations and educate people about mental health issues. February is Talk Today month in the OHL, with game day presentations, educational activities, and social media campaigns held League-wide aimed at reducing the stigma associated with mental health and addiction. Find out more: ontario.cmha.ca/talk-today-resources/ WINTER FARM SHOWS Grain Farmers of Ontario will be exhibiting at the following farm shows: • East Central Farm Show in Lindsay March 6-7 • London Farm Show March 6-8 • Ottawa Valley Farm Show March 12-14 Farmer-members are encouraged to stop by our booth to meet with staff and discuss any issues of concern ahead of the 2024 planting season. CEREALS CANADA NEW CROP MISSION In early December, Josh Boersen, director of District 9 (Perth) and Dana Dickerson, manager of market development and sustainability, participated in the Cereals Canada New Crop Mission to Latin America. They travelled to Bogotá, Colombia and Mexico City, Mexico and shared the 2023 Ontario wheat production and quality results with over 75 customer contacts through seminars, meetings, and company visits. South and Central America continue to be an important and growing market for Ontario wheat, with more than 60 per cent of wheat vessel exports destined for the region. During the meetings, the team received feedback on customer specifications for logistics, wheat quality and milling, and baking performance that Grain Farmers of Ontario will use to inform future market analysis and trade promotion. BEST OF CAMA Grain Farmers of Ontario was honoured to receive two Canadian Agri Marketers Alliance (CAMA) Best of CAMA Certificates of Merit at the annual Best of CAMA awards ceremony held November 2, 2023, at the Fairmont Winnipeg. The Grain Farmers of Ontario Grains on the Go trailer was honoured in the Best Exhibit category, and the Ontario Grain Farmer article, Rural Pride, written by Rose Danen, was honoured in the Best News or Feature Article category. WOMEN’S GRAIN SYMPOSIUM More than 80 women from across the grain sector gathered at the Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Centre on November 27-28, 2023, to participate in the annual Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Women’s Grain Symposium. An agenda that explored topics like building a personal strategic plan, grain marketing, domestic violence in rural Ontario, farm transition strategies, and networking opportunities allowed participants to Discover other ways to join the GrainTALK conversation: E-News, Webinars, Podcasts, Radio, Research Days, and events. Visit www.gfo.ca/GrainTALK. continued on page 20
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