UPI Energy gives generously!

UPI Energy LP’s Invitational Charity Golf Tournament was held earlier this month at Rebel Creek Golf Club in Petersburg, Ontario. 

"We are extremely thankful that the rain held off, which provided great weather for all the golfers and participants. This year we continued to see the enormous support of our employees and fellow associates which resulted in an impressive $36,000 raised. The funds were dispersed with $31,000 donated to Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre and the remaining $5,000 donated to the Bernie Daly Memorial Fund which provides financial assistance so that all youth are able to participate in CYL (Co-operative Young Leaders Program run by the Ontario Co-operative Association).

We would like to thank everyone for their generosity in supporting both of these great causes. Your generosity has gone a long way and you should feel proud in knowing that your donations have significantly changed the lives of many youth in positive ways.

Congratulations to all winners, in particular Craig Kane, Tim Cant, Jack Nunno and Ryan McIntyre who claimed the first place title and trophy.

UPI sincerely thanks each and every one who participated in this tournament. Without your contributions none of this would have been possible. We look forward to seeing all of you at next year's tournament."

Robert McIntosh, UPI Energy president and CEO

(L-R) Robert McIntosh, UPI Energy president and CEO presents a cheque for $5,000 to the Bernie Daly Memorial Fund to Claude Gauthier GROWMARK executive director, Ontario operations.

GROWMARK's 56th annual Summer Internship program gets off to a great start!

As part of the GROWMARK Summer Internship Program, Ontario interns travelled in style on the corporate jet to meet up with another 53 summer interns; all attending an orientation session at head office in Bloomington, Illinois.

During their first, of three trips to illinois, interns got the opportunity to network with each other, meet GROWMARK executives and learn more about the organization’s co-operative roots and core business strategies.

Barry Hannah, Ontario human resources manager, handles the recruiting and placement of students throughout the province. He says he is impressed with the high caliber of interns each year. “The program has such a broad reach with recruits from 18 universities and colleges System wide.”

Interns are placed with an FS Co-operative or a GROWMARK facility and are exposed to accounting, marketing, communications and product and service-related activities. Each intern will complete a special project and deliver a presentation on that project to other interns and GROWMARK executives later this summer.

“We are very excited about the outstanding group of students this year,” says Allison Stephey, GROWMARK university relations manager. “It is encouraging that our internship opportunities reach such a diverse group. They will gain hands-on experience in their chosen field, and have the opportunity to clarify career goals.” 

From the University of Guelph, GROWMARK Ontario summer interns travelled via GROWMARK corporate jet to Illinois to meet with U.S. interns at orientation meeting on May 17.

From (L-R): Christine Wyville of Grey County (Markdale), is majoring in Honours Agriculture. Christine is working at Huron Bay Co-operative this summer as an agronomy intern specializing in documenting and reporting on Glyphosate Fleabane resistance in the region.

Darren Clark of the Chatham Kent region (Highgate), is majoring in Bachelor of Commerce, Food and Agricultural Business. Darren is placed with AGRIS Co-operative as an agronomy intern with a focus on GROWMARK’s N-WATCH program responsible for analyzing nitrogen levels in 40 plus locations.

Kaylene Sangers from Ayr is on her way to a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture majoring in Honours Agriculture. Kaylene is positioned with FS PARTNERS, also working with the N-WATCH program and as a field scout.

Christopher Albrecht from Wellesley is working towards a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Animal Science. Chris is also placed with FS PARTNERS working on exploring the potential of the GROWMARK System’s planning and mapping modules. 

Sunderland Co-op wins environmental award for N-WATCH™

Sunderland Co-operative was recognized along with five other environmental champions during a special ceremony hosted by the Durham Environmental Advisory Committee on May 14.

The co-operative was the recipient of the Eric Krause Innovative Plans/Policies/Initiatives Award for helping to fund and pilot N-WATCH (Nitrogen Management Strategy). This award is given to those who have shown forward-thinking efforts that encourage positive change with respect to the natural environment.

Developed by GROWMARK, Inc, the goal of the N-WATCH program is to investigate the complex dynamics of available nitrate and ammonium nitrate in plants. Additionally, N-WATCH and the results collected can be used to estimate the concentration of available nitrogen as the year progresses and to reduce nitrogen losses to the environment.

This specific N-WATCH program funded by Sunderland Co-op, focused in Durham Region with the results available to members of the co-op. Although the N-WATCH program was implemented at Shadyway Farms Ltd., the yield data and results are shared widespread so that others can benefit from the advantages of the program.

Due to the success of the test site location, the N-WATCH program will be launched province wide with more than 50 sites participating in the program in 2015.

Sunderland Co-operative was nominated for this prestigious award by Agricultural and Rural Affairs-Economic Development Division. 

Pictured below from (L-R): Alex Georgieff, Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development; Blain Thompson, Sunderland Co-operative General Manager, Warren Jibb, Sunderland Co-operative Director and GROWMARK, Inc. Director; Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and CEO of the Regional Municipality of Durham.  

Congratulations to the Sunderland Co-operative team!

On Co-op releases new Bernie Daly Memorial Fund video and announces new information on how the fund can help more youth attend CYL.

Established in 2009, in honour of the late Bernie Daly, GROWMARK and the Ontario FS Co-operatives created the Bernie Daly Memorial Fund to support the continued growth of the Co-operative Young Leaders Program (CYL) run by the Ontario Co-operative Association.

The main objective of the fund is to provide a long-term pool of resources that will help support youth who cannot participate in CYL due to financial restraints or lack of sponsorship. Daly’s main concern was to ensure that all youth in the co-operative sector had a chance to attend CYL even if financial restrictions became a barrier for participation.

Daly served the Ontario Co-operative System for more than 30 years. He was a solid support and strong contributor to the health of the Ontario co-operative sector. He believed fully in co-operative principles and values, promoting them in business as well as in his everyday life with his family and community. 

Please take a moment to view and share this video to help support Co-op Young Leaders and The Bernie Daly Memorial Fund.  

To learn more about how you can contribute to the Bernie Daly Memorial Fund or apply for support to attend Co-operative Young Leaders, please visit The Ontario Co-operative Association’s website.

Recognizing a decade of success for the Ontario 4-H Ambassador Program

Ten years ago we were introduced to the new concept of the Ontario 4-H Ambassador Program and approached with the idea of being sole sponsors of the program.

Well, we never looked back! For the tenth year in a row now, UPI Energy LP and GROWMARK, Inc (along with the Ontario FS Co-operatives) are proud sponsors and supporters of these young leaders.

Ambassadors help promote 4-H in Ontario provincially, regionally, locally and at some national events. During their reign they receive training in several areas, such as interview skills, public relations, communication and public speaking. They are also provided with many positive networking opportunities and new experiences.

Congratulations to 2015 Ontario 4-H Ambassadors: (From L-R) Nic Willemsma of Chatham-Kent, Ava Doner of Durham East, Cailen Bromley of Renfrew, Laura Scott of Grenville, Gina Posthumus of Hastings and Olivia Bolender of York Region. 

Over the past ten years the Ambassador program has given more than 50 young people the opportunity to grow in their leadership abilities, become more involved in their communities and spread enthusiasm for 4-H across the province. We are confident these young leaders will continue to contribute to 4-H and their communities for a long time to come.

Let's take a look back through memory lane of past Ambassadors starting from 2005:

2005 Ambassadors heading out on the first tour of
Ontario FS System facilities. 

2006 Ambassadors visit FS agronomy / grain site in Mitchell.

 2007 Ambassadors pose at 1902 Alma train station - now home to 

FAST STOP cardlock location.

2008 Ambassadors visit UPI Energy to learn
more about their sponsors.

2009 Ambassadors sporting new team shirts.

2010 Ambassadors take a moment for a photo opportunity
at North Wellington Co-op.

2011 Ambassadors take a moment to admire baby chicks at
 the FS Store in Harriston.

2012 Ambassadors visit UPI Energy bulk fuel plant.

2013 Ambassadors visit FS agronomy and grain facility in Ayr
and learn about the new seed treater.

2014 Ambassadors in front of 1948 stake truck in Harriston
at North Wellington Co-op

Thank you Ambassadors for your commitment and dedication to the program!

If you would like to learn more about the program, visit 4-H Ontario.

FS brighter than ever at GFO March Classic 2015!

When entering the trade-show room at the London Convention Centre at the Grain Farmers of Ontario March Classic, it was easy to spot the brightly lit FS.

This is the second year in a row for the Ontario FS System's participation with good involvement from several FS Co-operatives throughout the province; along with shared booth space with Great Lakes Grain.

Guests visiting the FS exhibit engaged in a high-tech hands-on precision ag display and received a deck of FS playing cards in exchange for an online gift coupon from their local FS Co-operative. 

Congratulations to all FS co-ops. You were proudly represented!

Hands-on precision ag gadgets on display at FS booth.

This is the fourth year for the GFO March Classic and it has grown rapidly in popularity. This year, the event welcomed more than 700 guests who are members of GFO, delegates, sponsors, or industry folks who all have a common passion for farming. 

FS logo celebrates 60 years of success!

For added information and interesting highlights on the evolution of the FS brand, visit www.facebook.com/fsservices

4-H Ontario essay contest deadline; coming up fast!

The theme for this year’s 4-H Essay Contest is: “Exploring Careers in Agriculture.” The contest is open to all Ontario high school students who are members of 4-H.

This year, students are asked to choose a career in agriculture, find someone currently working in that career, and conduct an interview. Students then will write their essays about that career and the details of their interview.

The Ontario provincial winner will win $500 and the winner’s 4-H Association will 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. Additional program details should be viewed online at www.growmark.com  (click on Our Commitments/Youth & Young Farmers/Essay Contest/4H Ontario) or at www.4hontario.ca

The essay contest has been in place for 22 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. 

Is winter really an off-season in agriculture?

So if you think the winter is a slow time for agriculture, just ask a few of the Ontario FS crop specialists what they have been up to these past few months.

“Our philosophy is to utilize this time to maximize our knowledge base,” says Don McLean GROWMARK agronomy business director.

Right after harvest, GROWMARK gets very busy in the business of education by providing FS crop specialists with a variety of learning opportunities on everything from horticulture, custom application training to nutrient management. Each one of these topics is dissected into a number of full-day training programs that give FS System employees more insight into their day-to-day operations and better prepare them for the upcoming spring growing season.

Over 100 crop specialists attended
the 2015 GROWMARK Agronomy Conference
at White Oaks Conference Centre in St. Catherines.

It all wraps up with the biggest show of the year for the agronomy folks with the Annual GROWMARK Agronomy Conference. Bill Brown, GROWMARK field sales agronomist and one of the event planners summed up this year’s conference as “one of the best”. Bill admits he hasn’t seen the official survey results from participants, but from the comments back, he knows it was a very worthwhile event.

Ontario FS crop specialists took some time to stretch 

during a 15-minute re-energize session provided 

by White Oaks staff.

“Quality speakers, attention to detail and science based knowledge made a huge impact this year,” says Brown. Topics such as white mold and weed resistance are common subjects, but GROWMARK’s weed science technical manager Dr. David Powell took it to a whole new level with great detail into the science of how white mold organisms move and the motivation behind its growth.

“The subject of economics in most cases can be very dry, but key note speaker Aaron Gampel, vice president and deputy chief economist with Scotiabank brought a humourous spin to the subject with a variety of personal stories from his local Niagara region making the subject of economics captivating and light-hearted,” says Brown.

Overall the conference covered the core subjects and offered more unique discussion on topics such as how nodulation happens, how large growers think and then finished off with a quick session on how to take great pictures in the field using just your iPhone.

In the midst of all this training, add a number of tradeshow opportunities and outside conferences into the mix, and you have the makings of a very productive winter for FS agronomy teams. Within the province, there was representation at the Canadian DairyXPO in Woodstock, London Farm Show, Lindsay Farm Show, Certified Crop Advisor Conference and later this month FS employees throughout the province will be working the FS exhibit at the GFO March Classic.

Bill Brown of GROWMARK at this year's Canadian Dairy XPO. Also helping to man the booth
was Scott Snowe and Scott Cressman of FS PARTNERS, Luke Hartung of North Wellington Co-operative Services
and Brent Lamont of Huron Bay Co-operative. 

Sponsorship dollars go a long way for OAC leaders!

GROWMARK and the FS Co-operatives have a strong connection to many of the agriculture leadership programs in Ontario to be proud of, and most recently FS participated as Gold-level sponsors for the Ontario Agriculture College (OAC) Conference held at the University of Guelph Campus.

We just heard back from one of the participants that wanted to thank us for our support and share some of the highlights of the event.

"I just wanted to thank-you for your sponsorship with regards to this years conference. We had a great turn out of students, and it was much bigger than last year. The speakers were very informative, and we got very good feedback from the participants.

Learning how to be leaders on social media and in discussions by positively promoting agriculture. The #farm365 twitter phenomenon was discussed in detail, and we were taught that remaining respectful and telling OUR story is the best way to break down some of the misconceptions about our industry.

Hearing alumni speak about the importance of getting involved while in school is important because it helps students to develop essential problem solving, leadership and social skills, and it opens doors in the future.

Participating in team building exercises got students thinking, communicating and networking with other students that they may not have known as well before."

 Over 75 University of Guelph students attend 2015 OAC Leadership Conference themed "Grab life by the roots" 

Established in 1874, the OAC is a founding college of the University of Guelph and is recognized as Canada's largest and most renowned agricultural college encompassing a province-wide network of campuses, field stations and research facilities.

North Wellington Co-op writes its own history book!

Members attending North Wellington Co-operative's recent Annual Meeting were pleasantly surprised to learn about a newly published book that tells the many stories that make up the 70 years of history for the co-op.

The authors of the book are past general manager of the co-op Bill Chamberlain along with his daughter Cathy Chamberlain who is a long-time co-operative communicator. They took this project on as a labour-of-love wanting to produce the 100-page history book so that others in the co-op community could reflect on the past and celebrate the present. 

North Wellington Co-op was established in 1944 and has survived through many changes in agriculture, economic downturns and a pension crisis. Today the co-op is a thriving community icon in the towns of Harriston, Durham, Hanover and Mount Forest with an annual sales figure of close to $34M and about 5,000 member-owners. 

"Congratulations to all those who have worked with such dedication in the past and today," says the co-operative's general manager Kelly Boyle. "I truly admire the foresight of those who fashioned the foundation of our co-operative for success over the past 70 years."

The new book was well received by members of the co-op and will be sold in all four of the co-operative’s FS stores. Some of the books will be given to local libraries and historical societies.

             Bill Chamberlain, author of new book, signs his new publication during North Wellington Co-operative’s Annual Meeting. (Right) is Cathy Chamberlain, editor of the book and long-time co-op communicator with Mollie Loughran, NWC accounts receivable clerk.

Look at what's next coming down the road!

The FS Bringing You What's Next tag line is catching on throughout Ontario with FS Co-ops. 


















And now introducing you to North Wellington Co-operative's newly branded FS Bringing you what's next rolling stock.

October stands for Co-op awareness!

The end of October marks the conclusion of the official celebrations for Co-operatives in North America with Canada celebrating Co-op Week and the US celebrating Co-op Month. 

It is therefore, a fitting time to share the video of the speech given at the GROWMARK Annual Meeting this fall from a young Co-operative Young Leader graduate about the strength of co-operative values, helping to reduce poverty worldwide.

Seventeen year-old Matthew Gerrits was the Ontario youth speaker this year at the Hilton Chicago, where he addressed his thoughts to more than 1,000 GROWMARK delegates, friends and employees of GROWMARK, Inc. Matthew was sponsored to attend CYL by Wanstead Farmers Co-operative.

Matthew is the first speaker in the video followed by youth representatives Abrah Meyer Iowa FFA, Cody Morris Illinois FFA and Alison Wedig Wisconsin FFA. 

Have a look: http://vimeo.com/106501804

Co-op Week --- a reflection of our co-operative history

Our co-operative heritage for Ontario agriculture co-ops dates back 100 years. It was in 1914 that this united agricultural-based co-op network began when a group of farm leaders met and developed the concept of connecting Ontario farmers into one organization.

But it is not only agriculture co-ops that take part in this annual weekly celebration called Co-op Week. The co-op sector has deep roots in Canada. 

In the late 19th century, farmers in Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic Canada developed co-operative creameries and cheese factories to meet the needs of the growing dairy industry. Alphonse Desjardins founded Canada’s first caisse populaire in Lévis, Quebec in 1900. And in the first decade of the 20th century, farmers in western Canada organized co-operatives in an effort to market their products.

Co-op Week has been celebrated by francophones throughout Canada since 1958. In 1981 celebrations were held among Anglophone co-ops in the Maritimes and Saskatchewan. The event went national in 1982 with the encouragement of the Co-operative Union of Canada, a predecessor of the Canadian Co-perative Association.

During Co-op week, fundraising efforts from GROWMARK Ontario employees are geared towards supporting the Co-operative Development Foundation that provides financial support and guidance to global communities in need of a new start through co-operative practices.

    

Celebrating Co-ops Internationally!

Next week is Co-op Week in Canada which is uniquely a Canadian phenomenon. In the United States, October is Co-op Month, and the InternationalCo-operative Alliance and United Nations have an International Day of Co-operatives on the first Saturday in July.

Internationally, good things are happening to strengthen the co-op identity worldwide. Shortly after the United Nations named 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives, the International Co­-operative Alliance developed a new logo for all co­-operatives to use and align with a universal brand that differentiates co-ops from other forms of business.

The Co-­operative marque or logo is now a universal symbol for the global co­-op movement and its collective identity.

At the same time, the General Assembly for the International Co-operative Alliance approved a new go-forward plan outlined in the "Blueprintfor a Co-operative Decade" created to drive forward the beginnings of a world-wide campaign to take the co-operative way of doing business to the next level.

The ambitious plan in this Blueprint - the “2020 Vision” - is for the co-operative form of business by 2020 to become:

• The acknowledged leader in economic, social and environmental sustainability,
• the mode preferred by people, 
• and last but not least, the fastest form of enterprise. 

To read more about this global initiative, visit www.ica.coop

To obtain the universal co-op logo, contact me at: jajohnson@growmark.com or visit www.ica.coop

Lucknow Co-op demonstrates fertilizer blending at its best

70 years strong!

Big advancements in fertilizer blending was the hot topic of conversation at LucknowDistrict Co-operative’s open house event featuring its new Layco declining-weight blend  fertilizer facility.  

The new blending system is a big improvement for farmers in the area bringing greater efficiencies in everything from more storage capacity, faster loading and receiving times, and superior customized blending abilities.

Lucknow Co-op's new Layco declining-weight blend fertilizer facility.

Allan Scott, Lucknow District Co-operative general manager says this type of facility is quite new to Ontario. “The blender operation is level to the ground making for a more efficient and economical operational flow, that will ultimately provide added value for our members,” says Scott.

The blending system is housed in a new 90’ x 140’ facility that can handle up to 11 products incorporated into one blend compared to only three products in a mix with the co-operative’s previous system. 

“Speed is a huge advantage,” says the co-operative’s agronomy manager Blair Morrison. “With our old system, we would blend about 350T a day, whereas with this facility, we are able to produce 120T per hour, giving us more time to be face-to-face with our customers.”

The site now has additional unloading points, and a new 90 ft. weigh platform making inbound and outbound flow more fluid, reducing wait times for trucks entering the yard.

Capturing the full expansion of Lucknow District Co-operative's growing operation.

Scott says he knew the co-op was on to bigger and better things when it bought 40 more acres of land two years ago, allowing for expansion and growth.

“And now that Lucknow Co-op is in its 70^th year of business, we are keen on honouring our past, but even more so, we are embracing the future for our farmer-owners,” says Scott.

Over 200 burgers served at open house event.

FS Success at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show

For those of you that came out to see us last week at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, thank you! 

This was our first time at the show in many years representing the whole FS Ontario Co-operative System. If you didn’t get a chance to drop by, here are a few photos that you might enjoy. A big thank you to all who helped out at the show!

Juli and Jeff set up Ontario map display

Mary gets ready to talk FS Agri-Finance

The team on day 1

Early morning anticipating a great day ahead!

Scott and Jim talk grain marketing

Michelle and UPI Energy team deliver Dieselex Gold tank

Buzzing with activity Day 1!

FS Co-ops display

FS Co-ops display 2

Bruce and Terry setting up

Taking a break with FS Interactive colouring book!

Dieselex Gold testimonials

After last night's rain, Janice & Juli are hoping sunshine is what's "Bringing you what's next"!

Kent and Jeff meet and greet our guests

Jeff with customer...where is your farm in Ontario?

Young ag leaders stop in to say hello!

Dennis chats with Huron County farmer.

Eric talks Grain Marketing Insight Program

Vicki demonstrates GLG mobile site

Jason greets our guests at the Agronomy station

Don and Devin review GLG Crop Assessment Tour results.


Hope to see you all again next year!