UPI Energy FS on CTV

CTV's Fields to Forks on-line, offers educational segments to help raise awareness about agriculture in Ontario. It provides an inside look at Ontario farmers and the ag industry; everything involved with farming. The campaign educates urban audiences on agriculture throughout the province.

UPI Energy FS recently took the opportunity to share its story with Fields to Forks viewers. 

To view this latest video, you can visit Fields to Forks and click on the UPI Energy FS video on the home page or see it on CTV television during morning news and evenings from mid April to end of May.

Or  simply click here to view now: https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1369805

Provincial PC leader Doug Ford meets with Chatham area farmers

At a recent MPP reception at Queens Park hosted by the Ontario Co-operative Association, John Nooyen, AGRIS Co-operative board president and Jim Campbell, AGRIS Co-operative general manager approached their local MPPs about coming out to the Chatham area to meet with local farmers.

MPP Rick Nicholls and MPP Monte McNaughton took them up on the invite and went even further by having Ontario Progressive Conservation Leader Doug Ford come along.

Even though the event was a last minute plan, more than 100 local producers came out to the Nooyen family farm in Blenheim for this unique meet and greet. In Fords delivery to the group, he spoke about allowing farmers to do what farmers know best and about his intentions of reducing red tape for the ag industry and elsewhere.

Ontario PC party leader Doug Ford speaks to local Chatham area farmers.

After, attendees took the opportunity to have some face-time with the local and provincial leaders to express the needs for rural Ontario and farmers in general.

Erin Morgan, executive director of the Ontario Co-operative Association and myself (board chair) also had a few minutes to speak to Mr. Ford on the value co-operatives bring to the Ontario economy and the need to make changes to the 40 year old Co-op Act to give co-ops a level playing field in which to compete. 

Supporting Humboldt

Today, employees of GROWMARK Ontario region, FS PARTNERS and UPI Energy FS wore sports jerseys and raised money in support of the families and communities so greatly affected by this tragic loss.

Our thoughts are with you...................

Two more Ontario FS crop specialists earn CCS status!

Chris Albrecht FS PARTNERS
 Canada's Outdoor Farm Show  2017 (COFS)

Chris Albrecht, FS PARTNERS crop specialist and Jay Lennox, crop specialist with North Wellington Co-operative Services have successfully completed the requirements necessary to hold credentials as a Certified Crop Specialist (CCS) in the FS System. Both already hold Certified Crop Advisor designations, making this prestigious achievement the next level in their extensive agricultural training. 

Jay Lennox - North Wellington Co-op
(R) COFS 2017

"The Certified Crop Specialist accreditation recognizes crop advisors for their production expertise," says Don McLean, GROWMARK Ontario agronomy business director. “These credentials prove a CCS’s ability to put his or her training to work in finding solutions that help producers optimize agronomic results, economic return and environmental stewardship.”

To earn the title of Certified Crop Specialist, students are required to successfully complete a series of comprehensive written and verbal exams designed to establish base standards of knowledge on the topics of nutrient management practices, integrated pest management, soil erosion and water quality. Among the skill sets assessed were technical knowledge; the ability to discover, identify and analyze yield-limiting factors from a grower’s field records; identify common pest problems and recommend economic treatment measures; discuss and analyze the economic aspects of crop production; and understand the need-identification process.

Currently there are 18 individuals in Ontario that hold this GROWMARK designation.