Terry Stevenson takes board position with ECFWA

FS Communication Manager Terry Stevenson was elected to the Eastern Canada Farm Writers Association board of directors for a one-year term at its annual meeting on April 29 held in Holland Landing.


Terry is the communications manager for Southern Co-operative Services which manages the agronomy businesses for Wanstead Farmers Co-operative and AGRIS Co-operative Ltd. Terry has been attending various events through ECFWA for the past three years and last year he graduated from the University of Guelph with a diploma in Ag-communications.

The Eastern Canada Farm Writers’ Association (ECFWA) serves the common interests of agricultural journalists, reporters, editors and broadcasters. The organization represents more than 175 members in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. It joins with other regional farm writer organizations in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to form the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation. ECFWA members also belong to the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists.

From L-R: Clare Illingworth, communication specialist with Syngenta is now the ECFWA president; Karen Dallimore, freelance writer now elected as second vice chair; Kathie MacDonald of the Rural Ontario Institute; Andrew Campbell from Farms.com is the secretary treasurer; Claire Cowan, Editor of the Ontario Grain Farmer; Terry Stevenson, communication manager for Southern Co-operative Services; Sarah Andrewes of Hill & Knowlton is now first vice-chair and Kelly Daynard manager with the Ontario Farm Animal Council is stepping down as president after her three-year term. Christina Franc of Qu’anglo Communications, Quebec was not present for the photo.

Hanover FS is named Company of the Year

We are happy to announce that North Wellington Co-operative Services-Hanover branch has been awarded with the 2010 Saugeen Community Business of Excellence Award (S.Co.B.E) and named Company of the Year in the small business category of fewer than 15 employees.

The S.Co.B.E. Awards recognize excellence in business and entrepreneurship in the Saugeen Community. These prestigious awards are given to encourage community economic growth, promote local and regional community and nurture the region as a resource of diverse business opportunities and strengths.

The Hanover FS branch was measured on a number of its contributions towards environmental consciousness, product research and development, marketing innovation, sales growth, business development, employee and customer relations, product and services, and community support.

FS PARTNERS, Kevin Stumpf among the group of first cohort graduates from the co-operative management certificate program

Twenty-one students of the Ontario co-op sector’s first Co-operative Management Certificate Program graduated April 17 and

FS PARTNERS Location Manager Kevin Stumpf was one of them.

The students, most of who are currently involved with the co-op sector, celebrated the end of their nine-month course with a ceremony held at the Executive Learning Centre of the Schulich School of Business at York University.

Stumpf says this course gave him the opportunity to learn more about the diversity of the co-op sector. "I know that the knowledge I gained and the network of other co-operators that I met will help me in my position with FS PARTNERS and I plan to further promote and share the successes of the co-op sector with others.”

 

The Co-operative Management Certificate Program was designed to be an affordable, practical and accessible learning solution for those in Ontario’s diverse co-operative sectors. The Program was developed by the Ontario Co-operative Association in partnership with the Schulich School of Business. Students in the first cohort represented co-op sectors including renewable energy, housing, financial services, agriculture, organics, transportation and worker co-ops. A number of students came from outside the co-op sector, and took the program to learn more about applying the co-op enterprise model to a future business.

The second cohort of the Co-operative Management Certificate Program begins October 22, 2010, with graduation scheduled for May 14, 2011.

To learn more about the Co-operative Management Program, visit www.tinyurl.com/CMCProgram or call On Co-op at 1.888.745.5521.

Vineland Co-op recognized for excellence in business!

We are proud to announce that Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd. was recently recognized as this year’s recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Achievement Award in the town of Lincoln (in the larger business category).


When George Mitges, general manager of Vineland Growers Co-operative learned that they had been nominated for the award, he commented that this was a huge honour for his staff, but also very much for the more than 300 members in the farming community that they serve. “It reflects the positive relationship we have with our customer base and our own employees and it is truly an honour to be recognized in this way,” says Mitges.


In the nomination, it stated that Vineland Growers Co-operative was a prime candidate to receive this honour because of its longevity of 97 years in business as an integral part of the fabric of the Niagara Peninsula that continually focuses on improving its member-customers' profit margins. Over the years, Vineland Co-op has developed a strong team of employees who are passionate about seeing their customers succeed and show strength in employing local area people and support for many local charities.


Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd. was established in 1913, and was founded by four forward-thinking farmers who realized there were benefits to working together. Now the company represents more than 300 tender fruit growers, most of which hail from the Niagara region. Today Vineland Co-operative has 29 full time employees but grows to an employee base of three times that amount in the peak growing season.


This unique thing about Vineland Growers Co-op is that is fully owned by the producers it serves. It provides the sales and marketing support to its farmer-owners by effectively selling their fruit to major grocery store chains across Canada and in some locations in the United States filling their shelves with high quality cherries, yellow and blue plums, peaches, nectarines, table grapes, pears and most recently vineyard grapes. The supply side of the business provides farmers with the tools and products they need to maximize production such as fertilizers, sprays and other agricultural inputs. Vineland Growers Co-operative also manufactures and sells a large quantity of fruit baskets, shipment trays and other container styles that resulted in almost nine million units sold last year!


In 2001, Vineland Growers Co-operative received the Ontario Co-operative Association’s Co-operative Innovator Award and in 2005 and 2007 was honoured with the Top Twenty Percent Award from GROWMARK, Inc.


The Outstanding Business Achievement Awards (OBAA) were established in 2003, and the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce awards are presented annually to celebrate the success and excellence of local area businesses who work towards supporting a vibrant local economy and demonstrate commitment to nurturing community wellness.

Several of Vineland Growers Co-operative’s staff attended the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Awards night that took place on March 30 at the Inn on the 20 to receive this prestigious award. Holding up the award are from ( L-R) Scott Wright Purchasing manager, Ed Pogoda IT and Retail services manager, Dave Lepp Operations Manager, Mike Ryan Director of Finance, George Mitges General Manager, Dave Prudhomme manufacturing manager.

New ownership and new life for St. Charles grocery store

After a long search to sustain grocery store services for local residents of St. Charles, the board of directors and management team of Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury is proud to announce that they have put in place an agreement to sell the assets of its St. Charles Foodland grocery store to a local area grocer. The deal is expected to close on May 2.

Under this agreement, Edmund Jianyong will be the new owner of the St. Charles store. He is an experienced retailer and has owned and operated a Quick Way store in Bonfield for the past three years. He plans to bring fresh ideas that have been successful at his Bonfield location and also wants to expand the hardware product line as well as some of the existing services already offered. The new store will be operating under the name St-Charles Food Town.

“This transaction is not only a win-win for the community but also for our employees,” says Savage. Most employees will be able to keep their jobs under the new management or through their seniority rights. The remaining few were compensated fairly through an offer of retirement.

“A new owner with new ideas is probably exactly what this store needs to succeed,” says Raymond Brouillette, president of the board of directors of the co-operative. “It has been a long process that could not have been achieved without the support of the community.”

GROWMARK and UPI Energy bring in new 2010 crop of 4-H Ontario Ambassadors

This year marks the fifth year for the 4-H Ontario Ambassador Program. Each year the FS System has been proud supporters of the program where five or six senior 4-H members are selected to represent 4-H.  Ambassadors travel throughout the province to spread the word and educate people in various communities about the benefits of getting involved in 4-H.

This year's ambassadors were selected on Jan. 31. Finalists were asked to deliver a short presentation and then answer a series of questions before a panel of judges.

Congratulations to Anikka Bolender of Stouffville, Nicole Charlton of Brantford, Jessie Groniger of Carlsbad Springs, Eleri Morris of Elmvale and Valerie Stone of Paris, on being selected as the new 2010 4-H Ontario Ambassadors.

These leading 4-H members were sworn in by "pledging their heart" at the 2010 4-H Ontario Ambassador Reception and Training event over  Valentine's Day weekend. Representatives from the program's sponsors GROWMARK and UPI Energy attended this event to give ambassadors a brief overview of their organizations.

New to the ambassadors this year, was the initiation of a mentorship program. Marketing and Communication Specialist for North Wellington Co-operative and past Ontario 4-H Ambassador Jeff McCallum has taken the role of mentor for one of the new ambassadors this year and was also in attendance at the orientation weekend in February.

Outgoing 4-H Ontario Ambassadors are Bruce Betzner, Olivia Groniger, Morgan Kluka, Ashley Pulver, Cory Ward and Stephanie Warner.

If you have an upcoming event that you would like an ambassador to attend to say a few words, please contact Janice Johnson at jajohnson@growmark.com or 519-895-4286. 

2010 4-H Ambassador Valerie Stone and 2009 Ambassador Bruce Betzner will be saying a few words at the upcoming FS Director Summit on March 23 in Niagara Falls.

For this, and more information, please visit 4-H Ontario.

Cutting the cake at the 2010 Ontario 4-H Ambassador orientation weekend.

(From L-R) Eleri Morris of North Simcoe County, Nicole Charlton and Valerie Stone of Brant County, Stephanie Dwyer of UPI Energy LP, Barry Hannah of GROWMARK, Inc., Jessie Groniger of Carleton region and Anikka Bolender of York.

AGRIS Co-operative crop specialists receive CCS status recognition

From AGRIS Co-operative based in the southwestern Ontario, two more crop advisors received their CCS (Certified Crop Specialist) designation certificate from GROWMARK, Inc. They are Chris Snip of Cottam and Mark McKerrall of Tupperville.

This prestigious achievement is the next level up in their extensive agricultural training. Mckerral and Snip already hold their CCA (Certified Crop Advisor) designation in Ontario. To earn accreditation as a certified crop specialist, they successfully completed a series of comprehensive written and verbal exams designed to establish base standards of knowledge for individuals who advise growers on crop management and production inputs. These two gentlemen join their peers Mike Parker of Wanstead Farmers Co-operative in Alvinston, Kent Wolfe of AGRIS Co-operative in Dutton and Nick Zwambag of  AGRIS Co-operative in Thamesville who achieved their certified crop specialist awards in 2008.

Chris Snip of AGRIS Co-operative, Cottam receives his GROWMARK Certified Crop Specialist award from Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario Marketing Director (L) and Dale Cowan, AGRIS Co-operative Senior Agronomist  

Mark McKerrall,  AGRIS Co-operative, Tupperville also recieves CCS certificate. (Far right).

Currently the FS System has 51 full time crop specialists, 46 CCA’s in Ontario.
Please contact Frank Campbell, Bill Brown or Barry Hannah if you want more information on this topic.

Update: Changes to the Co-operative Corportations Act

In December 2009, Bill 218 – formally called the Ontario Tax Plan for More Jobs and Growth Act and informally referred to as the HST Bill – was tabled and passed in the Ontario Legislature. In addition to introducing the HST, the bill made a number of other changes to other pieces of legislation, including the Co-operative Corporations Act. The changes that were made provide more options to co-ops in how they run their meetings, and options in the composition of their boards of directors and the election process.

The changes to the Act include:

1. Co-ops (with the exception of non-profit housing co-ops) now have the option of holding members’ meetings using electronic means – such as teleconferencing, web conferencing or email. Co-ops can also accept votes by mail if they choose.

2. Co-ops (again with the exception of non-profit housing co-ops) can now have up to 1/5 of the board of directors be non-members. Previous to this change, the boards of co-operatives could only be made up of co-op members.

3. Co-ops can now provide for directors to be acclaimed to seats on the board, if there is a situation where there are the same number of candidates (or less) as there are open seats on the board. This keeps the co-op from having to run through a full election process in a case like this.

4. The board president in a co-op can designate a non-member to act as the chair of a members’ meeting. Previous to the change, co-ops could only appoint an alternate chair from within the membership and only if both the President and Vice-President were absent from the meeting.

5. The board of a co-op can now specify a meeting place for members’ meetings to be anywhere in Ontario when they call the meeting, unless the bylaws of the co-op specifically mandate that members’ meetings are to be held in a certain location.

6. The requirement for multi-stakeholder co-ops to have one director present from each stakeholder group at board meetings has been removed.

Two things to note:

• Co-ops don’t have to make use of these new provisions in the Act if they don’t wish to. It is entirely up to the board and membership of the co-op to decide if they wish to use any or all of the new provisions.

• In order to make use of some of the changes (the first three mentioned above), a co-op has to change its bylaws to specifically allow certain actions. This means that a special provision is needed, which is where the board approves changes to the bylaws, and then they go to the membership for approval at a members’ meeting. In order for bylaw changes to become effective, 2/3 of those members present at a meeting must vote to approve the changes.

The Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op) is in the process of developing a series of guides that explain the more significant changes in more detail and these will be available for download from the website in the next several weeks. Contact Jen Heneberry, Co-op Development Manager, for more details about these changes or to obtain copies of these guides. (519.763.8271 x23, jheneberry@ontario.coop).

Nipissing-Sudbury Co-op director receives Ontario Master Forage title

James Parsons, dairy farmer from Cache Bay and long time customer and director with Co-operative Regionale de Nipissing Sudbury Ltd. has been named 2009 Ontario Forage Master at the 22nd Annual Ontario Forage Masters Competition at the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair in November.

Over 165 participants from 24 counties and districts across Ontario were involved where Parsons had the opportunity to present innovative ideas and forage management techniques to peers and guests.

After receiving this honour, Parsons said he was honoured to have been given this title and looks forward to representing Ontario in Missouri in June when he competes in the American Forage and Grassland Council’s Spokesperson Contest.

AGRIS Co-operative returns $500,000 in patronage to its farmer owners

An income before tax profit of $2.3 million for 2009 was reported by AGRIS Co-operative Ltd. board president, David Malott to the co-operative’s members at its annual meeting held at Club Lentinas, in Chatham.

AGRIS Co-operative recorded agronomy sales of more than $57 million for fiscal 2009. Based on these results, Malott announced that the board of directors declared a cash patronage of $250,000 and will issue new shares in the amount of $250,000 to their owners. In addition more than $405,000 in interest on investments with the co-operative will be returned to the member-owners of AGRIS and the local communities it serves. Patronage will be calculated based upon members’ purchases and grain sold.

In his year-end report, David Malott told members that previously, the co-op’s shareholders were referred to as members but in reality they are really owners of the co-operative. “Therefore, starting this fiscal year we will be using the term owners when referring to our member-shareholders,” said Malott.

The election of directors for the co-operative was held and re-elected to a three year term from the Cottam area were John Sauvé, from Chatham, Scott McGeachy, from Maidstone, Ray Simard and newly elected from the Thamesville area were Jim Anderson and David Sherman. The board of directors met immediately after the meeting and conducted the election of officers. David Malott was re-elected as president, Larry Pajot as vice-president and Pat Vanjeule as secretary.

Retiring board directors Dennis Jack (L) and Krin Dieleman ( R) are presented with appreciation awards by fellow director John Sauve.



 

Announcing 2009 GROWMARK University of Guelph scholarship award winners

Each year in Ontario, GROWMARK awards $4,000 in scholarship funds to several exemplary students attending the University of Guelph.

The award winners must have completed six credits of the B.Sc. Ag program or B.Comm. Agri Business or four credits of the Associate Diploma Programs at any campus of the Ontario Agriculture College. Students must have an average of 70%, demonstrated leadership abilities and have been involved in extracurricular activities, community service or agricultural employment. The University is responsible for the selection process.

This year’s recent Ontario scholarship winners are:

University of Guelph, Ontario Agriculture College, Guelph Campus:

• Matthew Setzkorn of Franklin, PA, USA—B.Sc. Ag-Agroecosystems
• Shuang Li, of Guangxi, China ---B.Sc. Ag Economics

Presenting GROWMARK OAC scholarship awards to Shuang Li and Matthew Setzkorn at Guelph Campus is Janice Johnson, marketing and communication specialist, GROWMARK Ontario Region.

 University of Guelph, Ontario Agriculture College, Ridgetown Campus:

• Matthew Finch of Belmont, ON – Associate diploma in Agriculture 
• Lorraine Kroes of Clinton, ON-Associate diploma in Horticulture

  

Presenting GROWMARK OAC scholarship awards to Lorraine Kroes and Matthew Finch at Ridgetown College Campus is Clark Aitken, crop sales specialist with AGRIS Co-operative Ltd.

University of Guelph, OAC- Kemptville College:

• Jacob Droogh of North Gower ON (Associate Diploma in Agriculture) 

University of Guelph, OAC- Campus d'Alfred (received May 2009): 

• Jean-Michel Provost of Chrysler, ON (Association Diploma in Horticulture)
• Daniel Poirier of Lefaivre, ON (Associate Diploma in Agriculture)

 Congratulations to all 2009 GROWMARK FS Co-operative Scholarship winners!

Health and Safety Day gets excellent reviews

Earlier this month more than 30 FS Ontario System employees attended a full day of interacting and learning about a variety of health and safety topics held at the Holiday Inn in Kitchener.

Erin Aldred, GROWMARK Ontario Health and Safety Specialist introduced the group to a number of internal and external speakers that covered topics such as transportation updates, emergency response planning and how to conduct an effective accident investigation.

GROWMARK Senior Trainer Barry Hannah presented the final session that focused on the subject of diversity in the workplace. With the changing work force in the province this program gives staff a better understanding of how to prevent workplace inequities and create a more harmonious work environment. The program is called Drop by Drop and is now available to Ontario members who are interested.

The overall event was rated very positively by participants and Aldred plans to host this event on an annual basis. If you have suggestions on topics that you would like to see on the next agenda, please contact Erin at 519-895-5358 or email her at ealdred@growmark.com

Erin Aldred GROWMARK Health and Safety specialist (L) rewards participants that answer questions at recent Health and Safety Day. Robert Sauder senior operator and safety representative for FS PARTNERS Drayton branch receives candy for knowing general health and safety knowledge.

Cowan, Campbell and Hale elected to leadership roles with OABA

At last week’s Ontario Agri-Business Association’s Annual Convention, three representatives from the Ontario FS System were elected to prominent positions within the association.

The two day convention began Tues. Dec. 1, and was attended by approximately 400 OABA members and supporters in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

Dale Cowan, senior agronomist with Southern Co-operative Services was elected president of the Board for a one-year term after serving as vice president for the OABA board last year.

Cowan has been actively involved with OABA and its predecessors

The Fertilizer Institute of Ontario and The Ontario Grain and Feed Dealers since 1985 and has served in several leadership roles and on various ad hoc committees tackling everything from nutrient management to source water protection. He was also chair of OABA’s Crop Input Committee, a director on the board for the past five years and on the executive for the last two years as treasurer and vice-president.

Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario marketing director was elected for the first time as director to the OABA board after his name was submitted by the nomination committee and then approved by the membership on Dec. 1st. Campbell will serve a three-year term.                   

Larry Hale, area manager for FS PARTNERS, a division of GROWMARK Inc. served as vice chair of OABA’s Crops Input Section last year, and has now been elected to chair the Section for a one-year term. As chair, Hale will also have a seat on the OABA board along with two other chairpersons that will represent grain and feed.

The Crops Input Committee deals with issues that impact crop input retailers and the members of the association. The committee also acts as liaison between OABA and key industry organizations such as the Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI), Canadian Association of Agri Retailers (CAAR), Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) and Crop Life.

This year marks the 10th anniversary for the Ontario Agri Business Association (OABA). It is a voluntary, non-profit organization that serves to represent the interests of country grain elevators, feed manufacturing facilities and crop input supply business, operating out of 406 business locations throughout Ontario. The Association also represents approximately 200 associated businesses that provide products and services to the crop input, grain and feed industry.

A Daly Tribute

By Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK Ontario Region manager

Bernie Daly
GROWMARK Ontario Region Manager
2004-2009

The opening article in this newsletter used to be called Daly Notes and was filled with the late Bernie Daly’s personal accounts on special events and important topics that he wanted to share with you. He took pride in sending you the Your Ontario Vision newsletter and saw this as a very important tool to keep us all up to speed with what is going on with the GROWMARK Ontario Region, its FS member co-ops, partners and subsidiaries, our youth programs and the co-operative sector. Since the passing of Bernie Daly this spring, so much has happened in the way of keeping his presence alive and honouring all that he stood for in our organizations and communities.
I was honoured to be a part of the recent Ontario Co-operative Association Gala and Spirit Awards and felt especially privileged to have the opportunity to present the Ontario Co-operative Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing Bernie for his 30 years of commitment to the co-operative agriculture sector.
Accepting the Ontario Co-operative Lifetime Achievement Award for the late Bernie Daly are Bernie’s sons and wife, Matt (L), Sandy and Ryan. Claude Gauthier presented the award to the Daly family.

At the On Co-op Gala we were pleased to announce that so far more than $37,000 has been raised towards the development of the Co-operative Young Leaders program through the Bernie Daly Memorial Fund. Youth development was very important to Bernie and one of his goals before he passed was to find a way to help support CYL in a bigger way. The monies collected for the fund will first ensure that every young person that wants to attend camp will have the opportunity to do so. Secondly, funds will be used to enhance the program with new equipment or innovative programs. Thank you to all who contributed and please note that the fund will be ongoing and is always open for donations going forward. Organizations or individuals in all co-op sectors are invited to participate in the Bernie Daly Memorial Fund. Through an arrangement with the Ontario Credit Charitable Foundation, all donations are tax deductible. To download a contribution form, visit http://www.ontario.coop/. For more information, contact Sonja Carriere at On Co-op at 519-763-8271 x29.

This spring we also finished what Bernie had begun by finalizing the transistion of FS PARTNERS and its 22 locations to becoming a division of GROWMARK after the majority of farmer-members of Waterloo-Oxford Co-operative and Inland Co-operative voted to sell substantially all their assets to GROWMARK.

At the same time, GROWMARK saw an opportunity to build on an existing partnership and increased its financial commitment and level of partnership in Great Lakes Grain, including the addition of its FS PARTNERS’ branded grain sites throughout southwestern and central Ontario.

Under this partnership between GROWMARK and AGRIS Co-operative, Great Lakes Grain is now one of the largest grain merchandising companies in Ontario. The new organization has a 60-per-cent increase in capacity and a trade area stretching from Windsor through Toronto and to north of Georgian Bay, offering grain marketing services on a wide range of commodities to area farmers.

These recent moves underline GROWMARK’s commitment and Bernie Daly's dedication to the Ontario co-op system for the long term.

GROWMARK reports a "Successful year"

GROWMARK officials have reported results for the fiscal year that ended August 31. Senior Vice President of Finance Jeff Solberg announced sales of $6.1 billion for the 2008-09 fiscal year, GROWMARK net income is $96.9 million.

“The 2009 fiscal year has been challenging for many farmers as they attempted to plant a crop with extremely volatile pricing for fuel, fertilizer, and grain,” said Bill Davisson, GROWMARK chief executive officer. “Overall, I believe this has been a successful year on many fronts, and when looked at historically, this is still the third-highest income in our history.”

More than $82 million in patronage refunds will be returned to GROWMARK member co-operatives. Ontario member co-ops will receive 1.4 million of the total patronage issued in the form of stocks and cash.

Denyse Guy, executive director of the Ontario Co-operative Association, was honored with the Friend of GROWMARK Award at annual meeting. “Denyse has a history of supporting GROWMARK and its programs and activities by positioning GROWMARK as a very credible co-operative enterprise in the Ontario community,” said Jim Hoyt, GROWMARK vice president of strategic planning and corporate services. In her role as executive director, Guy serves as a resource and voice for credit unions and co-operatives in Ontario, Canada. On Co-op partners with GROWMARK to enhance awareness about co-operatives and provide programs and services that strengthen, support, and promote the co-operative sector throughout the province.

The Friend of GROWMARK award was established in 1989 to recognize outstanding leadership and commitment to agriculture, and friendship to the GROWMARK System. Since its inception, more than 25 individuals and organizations have been honored.

Denyse Guy, On Co-op executive director receives Friend of GROWMARK Award. On her left is Barry Hannah of GROWMARK Ontario Region and Bruce Betzner, Co-op Young Leader representative on her right.

The youth segment of the annual meeting was changed slightly this year with our young leaders presenting their views to the evening banquet audience the night before the official annual meeting. Bruce Betzner from the Lynden area represented Ontario with pride. He spoke on his involvement with the Co-operative Young Leaders Program and on his approach to fostering new young leaders. Bruce graduated from CYL two years ago and now facilitates at camp. He is also one of six 4-H Ambassadors chosen this year to promote 4-H throughout the province. Each year, six Ontario youth representing Junior Farmers Association of Ontario, CYL and 4-H Ontario travel to Chicago to take part in the three-day event.

Ontario youth representatives at 2009 GROWMARK, Inc. Annual Meeting:
(L-R) Lea-Anne Budge of Bolton and Sarah Hohnstein of Mildmay representing Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario, 4-H Ontario Ambassador Olivia Groniger of Carlsbad Springs, Barry Hannah GROWMARK Ontario Region senior trainer and this year’s youth chaperone, 4-H Ontario Ambassador, Co-operative Young Leader (CYL) representative and annual meeting youth speaker Bruce Betzner of Lynden, 4-H Ontario Ambassador Stephanie Warner of Hastings and Ed Sauve of Woodslee representing CYL.

Top 20% Improvement Award recipients for fiscal 2008 (granted in 2009)

GROWMARK Business Performance Awards went to Madoc Co-operative Association, Peterborough District Co-operative Services, AGRIS Co-operative Ltd., La Co-operative Agricole d’Embrun Ltd., Sunderland Co-operative Ltd. and Wanstead Farmers Co-operative Co. Ltd. with two awards, giving Ontario a total of seven Top 20% Improvement Awards.

Award categories are listed below:

Ontario school buses are running cleaner thanks to FS PARTNERS

After 14 months of negotiation, FS PARTNERS Energy Division closed a deal with Student Transportation of Canada that provides more than 1,200 school buses with cleaner-burning biodiesel fuel.

Student Transportation of Canada began its transition to biodiesel with FS PARTNERS in 2008 with Simcoe Coach Lines in Sutton and Parkview Transit in Caledon. “Since then, we have been supplying the school bus fleets with high quality biodiesel blends through GROWMARK's distribution channels and expertise,” said Andrew Troyer, FS PARTNERS director of energy. “Biodiesel is a fairly new product to most, but to GROWMARK, biofuels have been a major component of the Energy Division for more than ten years. I guess you could say we are veterans of a new product!”

Over the past two years, STC has continued to expand its cleaner fuel program throughout Ontario. Tom O’Neill, FS PARTNERS energy sales manager says that being involved with STC at the beginning of its push to convert to bio blended fuels gave them the opportunity to get in from the ground up. “What put us ahead of the competition is that we not only provide a quality product, but we also offer flexible services and are available to fuel up anytime of the day or night,” says O’Neill.

Established in 1997, Student Transportation of Canada is the fourth largest provider of school bus transportation services in North America and currently operates 6,300 school vehicles in North America.

This new account with FS PARTNERS will amount to sales of approximately 5.8 million litres delivered each year, resulting in countless reduced emissions and represents a changing mindset and commitment to renewable fuels.

FS PARTNERS Energy division works with Student Transportation of Canada in supplying bio fuels to its school bus fleets in Ontario. From L-R Ken Gill, Student Transportation of Canada Inc. regional maintenance manager, Chris Harwood, STC senior vice president – Canadian Operations, Andrew Troyer, FS PARTNERS director of energy, Tom O'Neill, FS PARTNERS energy sales manager.

In 2008, GROWMARK was recognized by the National Biodiesel Board for its impact on the biodiesel industry with “The Eye on Biodiesel – Impact Award”.

Lookin' Good tour shows postive results

For more than ten years now, a good number of Ontario member co-op facilities have been assessed under the FS Lookin’ Good program. This year, 82 per cent of the locations assessed, received a passing score of more than 75 per cent or higher.

North Wellington Co-operative Services received the overall top mark of 88 per cent for all locations combined.

If you would like to get a copy of this record of achievement for your co-operative, please contact Amy Baillie at 519-895-4259.

New training modules and updates

Submitted by Barry Hannah, GROWMARK senior trainer

Earlier this fall, 23 Ontario FS Co-operative and GROWMARK employees attended a new program offered through GROWMARK’s Career Development called Operations Management Clinic”. This program offers solutions to help branch managers make good, sound business decisions in regards to people, facilities, equipment, inventories and other resources.

The two day program was facilitated by Jim Hoffman, Western Region field trainer and Barry Hannah, Ontario Region senior trainer and is one of many ongoing training opportunities for FS System employees in Ontario.                                        

AGRIS Co-operative and Wanstead Farmers Co-operative are the first in the province to schedule Career Developments newest program for sales personnel PT205-Creating Value Added Proposals. This one-day program supports the two-day session called Successful Selling Clinic. You may book this program directly or it will also be offered to you on a needs basis scheduled for the province.

Other training interests:
Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd. requested a program for all staff on the subject of diversity in the workplace. The program is called Drop by Drop and is now available to other Ontario members that are interested. With the changing work force in the province this program gives staff a better understanding of how to prevent workplace inequities and create a more harmonious work environment.

PS II Empowering Your People will be facilitated on Dec. 9 and 10 at the Kitchener Holiday Inn. Larry Hoyt, GROWMARK corporate leadership development manager will be one of the facilitators for this session. Staff that attended PSI will be automatically enrolled for this program to continue their series of training including PSIII-Improving Employee Job Performance and PSIV-Building Work Groups. Staff are not required to take the programs in sequence and can parachute into any and all of the PS Series at any time. If you wish to enroll in PSII or any of the programs mentioned above, please contact Barry Hannah at 519-895-4231 or inquire on GROWMARK's Eresource site at  http://lifelonglearning.growmark.com/index.asphumanresources

FS Crop Specialists training commitments show positive growth

As part of GROWMARK’s agronomic plans, FS sales staff throughout Ontario and the U.S. are on an ongoing training path to obtaining their CCA (Certified Crop Advisers) and eventually CCS (Certified Crop Specialists) designations.

“In the last couple of years there has been a steady increase in the number of FS Crop Specialists obtaining their CCS status. There is a commitment and focus to have the best agronomy sales force in Ontario,” says Frank Campbell, GROWMARK Ontario Region marketing director.

Currently the FS System has 51 full time crop specialists, 46 CCA’s in Ontario with 25 people scheduled to write their CCA exam in February 2010. Individuals will need to sign up by Dec. 1 to be eligible to write the exam.

Please contact Frank Campbell, Bill Brown or Barry Hannah if you want more information on this topic.

See chart below that lists current CCS status FS Crop Specialists:

FS Agronomy Conference coming soon

FS System Agronomy Conference will be held again in Grand Bend on Feb.17-19 with a somewhat different agenda than in previous years. The theme for this year’s conference will be "The Three W's" (Who are we? What do we do? and Why does it matter?). The agenda is currently being developed and more information will be available closer to the conference.

GROWMARK/FS Government Relations Strategy moving full speed ahead

Submitted by Audrey Aczel, Ontario Co-operative Association public affairs manager
In October 2008, GROWMARK and the FS Co-operatives, with the guidance of the Ontario Co-operative Association, formed its first ever government relations committee, out of a recognized need to raise the profile of Ontario’s agricultural co-operative sector to the province. Chaired by Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK Ontario Region manager, and four other FS representatives from AGRIS Co-operative Ltd., Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd., Co-operative Regionale de Nipissing Sudbury and Madoc Co-operative Association. Denyse Guy, executive director and Audrey Aczel, public affairs manager, from the Ontario Co-operative Association, round out the committee.
What have we done to date?
Over the past year, the committee has been hard at work getting organized and meeting a number of its deliverables that include:

• Holding four committee meetings, and attending two FS System General Manager meetings and the FS Summit.

• Developing an operational plan as both a guideline and a way to track the progress of the government relations strategy.

• Identifying and mapping out the GROWMARK/FS presence across provincial electoral ridings.

• Creating a statistical and historical overview of the GROWMARK System, to be used as an educational piece when meeting with government officials.

• Identifying and developing briefs on three key issues affecting FS Co-ops, to be used as an advocacy tool when meeting with MPPs and key ministries.

• Developing a government relations toolkit to equip future co-op advocates with the necessary guidance and resources.

• Attending 2009 Queen’s Park reception with 24 MPPs present, and several FS representatives having the opportunity to speak directly with the Minister of Agriculture, Leona Dombrowsky.

• Attending three government meetings to lobby for changes to the Municipal Tax Act and to promote the local food movement, including: Lou Rinaldi (Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture), Wayne Arthurs (Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance) and Peter Hargreave (former Senior Policy Advisor to Minister of Government Services).

• Drafting and distributing a motion and brief on the 50% Rule, in an effort to achieve a consensus on its removal from the Ontario Co-operative Corporations Act. To date, nine FS co-ops have passed and one co-op has defeated the motion.

• Establishing a SharePoint site where the committee members can easily and efficiently share and access information relevant to the government relations strategy.

What’s planned for the New Year?
In the first quarter of the New Year, the committee is aiming to meet with officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Finance, Economic Development and Trade, as well as the Premier’s office, and hoping to participate in a Liberal rural caucus meeting. In addition to building these crucial relationships, they will begin identifying and building up a base of “co-op advocates” in each of the 25 plus electoral ridings where FS co-operatives are located. Their primary role would be to assist the committee members in meeting with and educating their local MPPs on a number of key issues affecting the sector, and to help raise awareness for a provincial Co-operative Secretariat.

What is the ultimate goal?
It is the committee’s hope that through a co-ordinated government relations strategy and implementation of an advocacy campaign specific to the needs of FS co-ops, that they will gain the awareness and support they rightfully deserve from our provincial public policy movers and shakers.

For more information, please contact Audrey Aczel at 519.763.8271 x.24

Nipissing Sudbury Co-op acquires retail bulk fuel business

New growth for Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury Ltd.’s operation took place in mid August with the acquisition of a heating, farming and commercial fuels business, Norstar Petroleum Ltd.

In the greater Sudbury area, Norstar Petroleum provides local customers with much of the same products already offered to Co-opérative Régionale de Nipissing Sudbury customers from its eight branches located throughout the Nipissing, Temiskaming and Algoma regions.

Norstar Petroleum will continue to operate its long haul bulk fuel trucking business under the same name and will manage the heating, farming and commercial business for Co-opérative Régionale.

NWC turns 65, CCA turns 100

 NWC is 65 years old

Earlier this summer North Wellington Co-operative Services celebrated it 65th anniversary and simultaneously held a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony introducing customers to a new larger and efficient warehouse in Harriston.

Kelly Boyle, general manager of North Wellington Co-op and staff generously cooked up a feast of more than 1,300 barbeque hamburgers served to local residents who dropped by to celebrate the anniversary.

Co-op Advantage Magazine now 10 years old

Co-op Advantage magazine is distributed each year around Co-op Week, to the co-operative sector and features the successes and diversity of co-ops throughout Ontario. There are several stories in this year’s magazine that highlight or reference GROWMARK and the FS Co-operatives and would be of interest to your staff, directors or customers. Contact Mark Ventry at On Co-op to place your order.

CCA turns 100
The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. To mark 100 years of an organized Anglophones co-operative movement in Canada, CCA’S 100th Anniversary National Congress took place this summer in Ottawa.

To commemorate this event Canada's prominent co-operative historian, Dr. Ian MacPherson, and the Canadian Co-operative Association proudly presented a fascinating limited edition commemorative account of Canada's first 100 years of co-operative history.

The book, named A Century of Co-operation captures the depth and diversity of co-operation in Canada, reliving its evolution and celebrating its legacy. Woven throughout the book is a rich collection of images from across Canada, illustrating co-operative history from the early days of the 20th century to the present time. The book can be purchased through CCA for $50 or email Tanya Gracie at the Canadian Co-operative Association.

Greatest Canadian Co-operator
Alphonse Desjardins, the father of Canada's caisse populaire movement and founder of Canada's sixth largest financial institution, has been named history's "Greatest Canadian Co-operator" following an online vote by more than 8,000 people across the country.

GROWMARK, Inc. is proud to be a primary sponsor of the Co-operative Development Foundation On-Line Auction. Visit http://www.realauction.ca/cdfc/en/ to  shop for great Christmas ideas and at the same time support local and global communities through the help of CDF.

AGRIS Co-operative sails aboard a Canadian Navy frigate

On Sept. 11, a group of 21 AGRIS Co-operative sales representatives and guests boarded the HMCS Ville de Quebec Canadian Navy frigate that has served in the Canadian Forces since 1993.

The experience was made possible by AGRIS Co-operative agronomy specialist Chuck Belanger who has been with AGRIS for six years but also boasts an extraordinary past career as a Petty Officer (2nd Class) with the Canadian Forces.

It was through Belanger’s reconnection with an old navy buddy, Mario Couture, the ship’s underwater warfare director that allowed him to construct his idea of introducing the AGRIS Co-operative sales team to this unique experience.

“This is not your ordinary venue for a team-building exercise,” says Belanger. “But what better place to observe and learn first hand about exceptional leadership, teamwork and communication skills than on board the pride of the Canadian Navy.”

Camaraderie, team work and a sense of family is how Chuck Belanger describes his experience with the Canadian Navy. He was raised on a cash crop farm near Pain Court, Ontario and at the young age of 17, decided to explore a bigger world by joining the Canadian Navy. He spent the next ten years of his life devoted to his ships and his country.

During his navy career, he was on board HMCS Skeena, HMCS Algonquin, CFS Shelburne and was involved in missions that involved NATO task forces, coastal and Cold War deployments. After 9 years, Belanger was promoted to Petty Officer (2nd Class) and led an 11-man team of seamen. Being a family man, he later decided to leave the navy and devote more time to his other family at home.

“Through generous contacts Belanger has with his former shipmates serving aboard the HMCS Ville de Quebec, we were able to be a part of a very special journey that allowed AGRIS staff to observe the skills demonstrated by the crew and take these lessons back to the co-operative enhancing our ability to work with our farm-customers,” says David Malott, president of AGRIS Co-op.

“The captain and crew on board the Ville de Quebec were outstanding,” says Belanger. They spoke about the day-to-day operations with an open and honest approach. Their sense of pride and fulfillment was apparent throughout the day making me feel like I was right back at sea and it gave the group an intimate perspective of what navy life is like.”

Travelling from Sarnia to Windsor, Ontario, the day consisted of many informative tours throughout the ship, networking with the crew and a bbq lunch on deck.

Just after 11 am, a tribute was performed with a commemorative 11 round gun-fire salute to honour those who have suffered or lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

The ceremonial blasts were heard for miles as the HMCS Ville de Quebec travelled down the St. Clair River and approached the monumental Bluewater Bridge that links Michigan and Ontario. Hundreds of supporters gathered along the shores of the riverbank to cheer and share a moment of silence. Transport trucks lined the bridge above, sounding their horns in a way that seemed to harmonize with the voices of the enthusiastic crowds on shore. One crewman commented as he looked out at a crowd of young primary school children cheering on shore that this public relations mission has been a very heartwarming and gratifying journey.

The Ville de Quebec departed from Halifax on August 26 on the 2009 Great Lakes Deployment for a month-long, 11-city tour along Quebec and Ontario shorelines to raise the Canadian Force’s profile and highlight the ship’s national and international contributions, with a focus on bolstering Navy recruitment. “Even from a distance on shore, six miles out in Lake Huron, the HMCS Ville de Quebec-FFH 332 looks intimidating and impressive,” says Terry Stevenson, AGRIS Co-operative communication manager. A Halifax-class frigate, the Ville de Quebec, measuring 134.2 metres in length, a range of 9,500 nautical miles and a regular crew of 228, she is heavily-armed with sophisticated radar controlled weapon systems, equipment and technology. Her most recent mission involved protecting food supply ships from pirates off the coast of Somalia.

Just before docking in Windsor, AGRIS Co-operative showed their gratitude for the day by presenting the Captain and Coxswain of the ship with a plaque. During this brief presentation, Belanger commented half jokingly by saying, I am thinking of re-enlisting!

From R-L
Chuck Belanger, AGRIS Co-operative agronomy specialist, presents a gift to the Ville de Quebec Captain Luc Cassava and Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Keith Davidson along with David Malott, AGRIS Co-operative president and Larry Pajot, vice-president.

GROWMARK and UPI Energy proud sponsors 4-H Ontario Ambassadors

This year marks the fourth year for the 4-H Ontario Ambassador Program. Each year the FS System has been proud supporters of the program where five or six senior 4-H members are selected to represent 4-H at a variety of events throughout the province.

In the summer, the Ambassadors participated in on one-day tour of the FS System in Ontario to learn more about their sponsors. On the tour, Ambassadors visited a Swipe & Go fueling station in Alma, North Wellington Co-operative Services in Harriston, a grain facility in Ayr and UPI Energy's bulk plant in Guelph.

Ambassadors are available to speak at special events at your co-operative, so please keep this in mind during the year when planning annual meetings or other prominent events.

From L-R

2009 4-H Ontario Ambassadors:

Olivia Groniger of Carlsbad Springs, Morgan Kluka of Chatham, Cory Ward of Woodstock, Barry Hannah of GROWMARK, Bruce Betzner of Lynden, Asley Pulver of Carrying Place and Stephanie Warner of Hastings.