Wanstead Farmers Co-op declares good patronage for its members

Wanstead Farmers Co-operative announced it will pay $120,000 in patronage to be shared with its more than 500 farmer-owners.   

More than 120 people attended the co-operative’s 96th Annual General Meeting held on Dec. 5 at the Wyoming Fair Building.

Martin Gerrits, Wanstead Farmers Co-operative board president commented that despite all the weather challenges this year, the co-op saw a year of growth and profitability. Gerrits thanked farmers for their patience and determination in getting through such a challenging season. “With such a wet spring and a cold start to our planting season, it was a wonder that crops even got planted this year".

Peter Kelly, Wanstead Farmers Co-operative general manager reported an overall growth in sales and an added focus on streamlining overhead costs resulted in a positive year for the co-op. He thanked the members for their support and the board for its strong leadership.

Going forward Martin Gerrits from Wyoming was re-elected as the board president. Rick Patterson from Petrolia is vice-president, replacing Joe Joosten who recently retired. Joosten was recognized at the general meeting for his many years of service. Norman Minielly from Watford remains as board secretary. Also retiring from the board is Kevin Forbes of Sarnia.

Wanstead Farmers Co-op retiring director Joe Joosten is recognized for his 19
years of service on the board. Jamie Duncan, board director, presents Joosten
with a Peter Etril Snyder "Right from the Start" painting as a gesture of the
boards' appreciation.

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GROWMARK selects new board member for OCA

Terri Naylor

As of Dec. 9, the GROWMARK board of directors selected Terri Naylor as its newly appointed director to sit on The Ontario Co-operative Association board of directors, representing the Ontario GROWMARK System.

Terri has dedicated 32 years of her career to the co-op sector. During that time, she has held a variety of positions that have gained her valuable experience in several diverse roles. As controller for an FS Co-operative, she worked directly with the co-op’s board of directors assisting in governance decisions.

Today, Terri’s current position as manager of business integration and special projects, entails mediating between partners on a daily basis with a focus on financial, operations, system conversions and acquisitions.

“With Terri’s broad background and passion for the co-operative system, we are confident she will be an exceptional asset to the OCA board team,” says Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK executive director, Ontario operations. “Please join me in congratulating Terri on her new role!”

Introducing the 2020 OCA board of directors. (L-R): Jordan Moat (Libro Credit Union), Megan Shipton (youth director), Chris Caners (SolarShare Co-operative), Erin Morgan, OCA executive director, Maureen Gillespie, OCA board president (The Co-operators), Jennifer Woodhouse, OCA vice-president (Gay Lea Foods Co-operative), Terri Naylor (GROWMARK), and Joel Lalonde past-president (Central 1 Credit Union). Missing from this photo are: Sally Miller, board treasurer (Canadian Worker Co-op Federation) and Hugh Nelson (Y's Owl MacLure Co-operative Centre).

Terri Naylor replaces Janice Johnson who is retiring from GROWMARK at the end of the year. Janice served seven years on the board and served two years as president, one year as vice-president and one year as treasurer.

Co-operatives are a different kind of business model that are driven by people, planet and profit. GROWMARK is a member of The Ontario Co-operative Association that supports, develops, educates and advocates for Ontario’s more than 1,500 co-operative businesses.

FS leading the way in 4R Nutrient Stewardship

The GROWMARK Ontario System of FS Co-operatives is gaining good momentum when it comes to 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices. It is now official after the latest announcement from Fertilizer Canada that two of FS PARTNERS locations have passed the 4R Nutrient Stewardship certification audit at both Drayton and Delhi agronomy sites. These sites are the first two locations to achieve this for FS PARTNERS.

FS PARTNERS - Drayton

AGRIS Co-operative's Cottam location became 4R Certified in the spring and just last week a second location for AGRIS - Stoney Point has received this important status.

AGRIS Co-operative - Cottam

The voluntary program certifies nutrient service providers in the Western Lake Erie Basin and across Ontario that apply or make recommendations on fertilizers in accordance with 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles which refers to using the Right Source of nutrients at the Right Rate, at the Right Time and in the Right Place. Program participants must go through an independent, third-party audit of 37 standards to demonstrate they not only understand 4R principles, but also follow them. 

FS PARTNERS - Delhi

AGRIS Co-operative - Stoney Point

Congratulations to the FS staff that have worked so hard to achieve this success!

The 4R Certification Program is funded and guided under a 4R Ontario Steering Committee comprised of a diverse set of stakeholders from industry, government, conservation authorities and grower organizations. The 4R Certification Program is funded and guided by a 4R Ontario Steering Committee comprised of a divers set of stakeholders from industry, government, conservation authorities and grower organizations including Fertilzer Canada, the Ontario Agri Business Association (OABA), Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the Ontario Ministry of Agricultrue, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) and Conservation Ontario. 


The program is administered by Fertilizer Canada. Visit: www.4rcertified.ca