Celebrating Co-op Week in Canada!

Co-op Week in Canada begins this Sunday from October 14th to 20th. In the United States the full month of October is dedicated to co-op awareness. It is an opportunity for co-operative and credit union members, staff and friends provincially, nationally and globally, to celebrate the impact co-ops have to sustainable social and economic development both at home and abroad.

Co-operatives are community-focused businesses that balance people, planet and profit. They are formed to seize local opportunities or respond to local challenges.

Here are some quick and easy facts and stats provided to you by the Ontario Co-operative Association:

• There are 1,300 co-operatives, credit unions and caisses populaires, located in Ontario.
• Ontario co-operatives have 49,000 volunteers - 10,000 of which are board members.
• Co-ops are in every business sector, and offer services from the cradle to the grave, from child care through to funeral co-ops!
• Co-operatives create $3.3 billion in income for Ontarians.
• Co-operatives are value-based and member-owned and focused.
• More than 1 of every 7 people worldwide are a member of a co-op.
• Co-operatives operate in more than 90 countries and employ over 100 million people around the world.
• Twice as many co-ops remain in operation after 10 years as other types of business enterprise.

In 1844, the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in England formed a local co-operative of weavers and tradesmen and established the  the co-operative principles in which co-ops and credit unions around the world continue to follow today. 

GROWMARK/FS employees in Ontario will be hosting activities throughout the week to recognize and learn more about co-ops in the local community as well as raise money for the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada to held aid others less fortunate in Canada and abroad through co-operative development projects and strategies.

Happy Co-op Week!

Recognizing both agriculture and co-ops all in the same month!

As we venture into another fall harvest season, the month of October also represents both our co-operative heritage and our agricultural roots.

This week is Agriculture Week in Ontario which leads in nicely to Thanksgiving this weekend. 

The agri-food industry is a significant driver of the province's economy, contributing approximately $34 billion annually, including $12.5 billion in exports, and employing more than 780,000 individuals.

The third week in October is Co-op week in Canada where more than seven million members of co-operatives throughout Canada can take part in celebrating and educating others on the significant contributions co-ops bring to the economy and communities in which they thrive. Co-ops contribute more than $6 billion to the Ontario economy and support over 57,000 jobs. 

In the  United States, our colleagues are enjoying the full month of October to celebrate co-op history during Co-op month.

During Co-op Week, Ontario GROWMARK employees will take part in a number of fundraising events to provide support for the Co-operative Development Foundation. CDF is a registered charity organization that works to undertake co-operative development projects in Canada and around the world.

October is a great time to enjoy the blessings that come with living in this great country, our passion for agriculture and our co-operative heritage. Let's take it all in!

FS is everywhere at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show!

Just finished off a very successful show at the 2018 Canada's Outdoor Farm Show. The FS booth was a popular destination as hundreds of people visited to take part in the Farm Smart with FS board game, get their photos taken with the FS Superheroes At Work. Superheroes such as:

The Grain Hornet, Agent Dieselex Gold, Professor FS Agri-Finance and Agent Dieselex Gold.

Kids who took part received an FS Superhero cape to become superheroes right on the spot and adults picked up a T-shirt with a large FS on the front. Everywhere you looked at the show one could see kids with FS on their backs and folks with FS on their fronts wearing the t’s. The energy section ran a draw to win 500L of fuel and the new FS mascot (FSie) was a hit with kids of all ages. 

Check out some of the activity this week:

Come visit us next week at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show!

A grand celebration of new growth at yesterday’s grand opening in Walkerton!

Jeff Hurst, Huron Bay Co-operative general manager and Kevin Rogers, Walkerton facility manager greeted approximately 400 customers and supporters that came out to see the co-ops new fertilizer facility in Bruce County.

The co-operative’s president Sam Luckhardt  started off the lineup of greetings by recapping Huron Bay’s many expansions in the past few years; stressing the importance of keeping up with the times. “This facility reflects our commitment to this continued direction of growth in supporting the needs of our members.”

Mayor David Inglis, Municipality of Brockton said he was very pleased that this new facility is here. “A vibrant economy is what everyone wants,” he says.  “Agriculture is strong in the municipality of Brockton and we want to keep it that way; and this facility is a testament to that.”

Ben Lobb, MP Huron-Bruce not only commended Huron Bay on its commitment and investment in Bruce County with this expansion, but also addressed the importance of the broader co-operative sector. “I am a long-time supporter of the co-operative and credit union sector and understand the added value that co-ops bring to our communities,” he said. 

 

Kim Fysh, GROWMARK Ontario director said that in his travels he has seen many facilities and that the Walkerton facility is second-to-none. “Your board and management teams have made some great decisions and you should be very proud,” says Fysh. “The only problem you might have is that you will be in and out of the facility so fast that you won’t have time to get a coffee!”

Don McLean, GROWMARK Agronomy business director brought greetings from GROWMARK Ontario region noting that with so many advances in agriculture, this new facility is a wonderful addition.

Jeff Hurst finished off by saying that the old ways weren’t working anymore. “This new facility will take Huron Bay well into the next century offering state-of-the-art technology."

“We are positioned well for providing our members with fast and accurate fertilizer mixing. This facility can produce very large volumes in a timely manner all controlled with hand-held computer. The business is changing in lightning speed, with technology and science. Several years ago only one or two sources of nitrogen were required and now we need five or six,” says Hurst.

Kevin Rogers pointed out details of the operation adding…”We can unload a tractor-trailer of fertilizer in about 8 minutes!”

After the official ribbon cutting ceremony, a bbq feast of hamburgers, sausages and salads was served to all who came out to take part in the celebration.

Official ribbon cutting ceremony (Walkerton). Seen here from (L-R)  - Kevin Rogers, Huron Bay Co-operative facility manager; Huron Bay Co-operative directors Ron DeVisser and Byron Monk; David Inglis, mayor of Brockton, John Rhody, director, Ben Lobb, MP Huron-Bruce, Sam Luckhardt, Huron Bay Co-operative president, Andrew Black vice president, Doug Jeffray, director and Jeff Hurst Huron Bay Co-operative general manager.

                    

Orono community - kindness and generosity at its best!

Article first placed in DurhamRegion.com

Employees of Durham Farmers' County Co-op in Orono wanted to do something good in support of  long-time employee Ross Robinson, who was recently injured while driving his tractor.

"Robinson has been working at the co-op for almost 50 years, so the staff, customers and suppliers all wanted to support him," says Susan Lane, Orono store supervisor. "It was amazing to see so many people with such big hearts and the outpouring of support and generosity from our little community."

The store started by accepting donated items for a silent auction. Staff expected about 30 items for the silent auction, and wound up with more than 60 filling a display at the front of the store.  Most of the items have been donated by local businesses.

The cash jar at the checkout has collected $4,800 and the silent auction items are expected to raise a couple more thousand dollars.

Robinson, age 67, has spent two weeks in Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto being treated for two broken vertebrae in his neck, two severed fingers and a gash on his head. All proceeds will support Robinson and his family during his recovery. 

Durham Farmers County Co-op staff organize community fund raiser to help out long-time employee.

2018 4-H Ontario Ambassadors meet FS System experts face-to-face

As sponsors of the 4-H Ontario Ambassador Program, it has been an annual tradition for GROWMARK to provide Ambassadors with a tour of FS facilities giving them a more hands-on opportunity to get to know their sponsors better. This annual bus tour came together yesterday with stops at the UPI Energy FS Guelph bulk plant, the FS PARTNERS Bringing You What's Next site in Ayr, the FS PARTNERS Agronomy & Great Lakes Grain site in Mitchell and North Wellington Co-operative's headquarters in Harriston. At the end of the day, Ambassadors walked away with a broader understanding of the FS Co-operative System's core businesses, the people that make it happen and the strength behind the co-operative network in Ontario.

Here are some highlights of the day:

Dianne Kennedy, UPI Energy FS Customer Experience Supervisor,

started the day off with a tour of the bulk facility on Hwy 124 just outside of Guelph.  

Ambassadors learned about the large Cardlock network, the growth of FS DEF 

(Diesel Exhaust Fluid) and Dieselex Gold in the province. 

After a quick look at the new FS PARTNERS 15,000 T capacity fertilizer facility at Ayr, 
Sean Chase, FS crop specialist provided Ambassadors with an overview of the Bringing 
You What's Next field plot with lessons and tips on plant health as well as 
an understanding of his role as a crop specialist and the benefits of pursuing 
a career in agriculture.

Third stop - FS PARTNERS Mitchell agronomy and Great Lakes Grain site. 

Mike McCarthy, agronomy/grain supervisor, Brent Nichols, elevator operations 

and Kerry DeJong, administrative assistant showed the group around the site 

and provided good insight into the day-to-day operations at this large FS site. 

After lunch, and final stop of the day, Kelly Boyle, North Wellington Co-operative Services 

general manager and Justine Lennox, marketing and communication specialist 

showcased the almost completed new 2800 T capacity fertilizer facility in Harriston. The tour 

continued on to allow some time for Ambassadors to shop at the Farm Store and Garden 

Centre before boarding the bus to head home.

Congratulations to our 2018 4-H Ambassdors from (L-R) Evan Jenkins-Elgin County, Melissa Brisson-Russell County, Kyle Hussy - Oxford County, Andrea Dohner and Devin Catt of Elgin County. In front is Nicole French - Peel Region.

To learn more about becoming a 4-H Ontario Ambassador, visit 4-H Ontario!

GROWMARK recognizes International Co-op Day!

Tomorrow is the International Day of Co-operatives, which is celebrated the first Saturday of July each year. The theme for the 2018 International Day of Co-operatives is “Sustainable consumption and production”, creating an opportunity for co-operatives to show how they run successful businesses while respecting our natural environment and the resources it offers.

GROWMARK and the FS Co-operative System have always identified well with this philosophy. Environmental and social stewardship is top of mind in all aspects of GROWMARK’s day-to-day operations. With GROWMARK’s leadership, FS crop specialists throughout North America are front-runners in the education and implementation of nutrient stewardship on the farm, maximizing environmental consciousness in the minds of the farmers they serve and the general public. In energy, products such as FS branded Dieselex® Gold and FS Diesel Exhaust Fluid are just two of many environmentally friendlier options offered.

GROWMARK is one of the top four agricultural co-operatives in the United States and is owned by local FS branded ag supply and grain member co-operatives. In more than 40 states and the provinces of Ontario and Alberta, GROWMARK supplies products, services and expertise in agronomy, energy and grain marketing. The GROWMARK System supports its people and product lines with warehousing and logistics, as well as training and marketing support. GROWMARK celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2017.

From some of us at GROWMARK's Ontario Region home office. 

(105 Silvercreek Pkwy North, Guelph)

Happy International Day of Co-operatives!

More information can be found here:  What is a co-operative? 

• Co-operatives for a better World 
• International Co-operative Alliance
• The Ontario C-operative Association 
• Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada
• International Co-op Day

2018 GROWMARK Essay contest; the results are in!

Maggie-Jo Hickson of Oakwood is named the Ontario provincial winner of the 2018 GROWMARK essay contest for 4-H members. The theme of this year’s contest was: How can co-operatives demonstrate their value to the next generation of agriculturists?

In her essay, Maggie-Jo says: “Many agriculturalists develop their passion and skills through organizations such as 4-H and Junior Farmers Association of Ontario. By supporting these organizations, co-operatives have the ability to work directly with their future members and instill their values and knowledge into them.”

Maggie-Jo is a student at Lindsay Colligate and Vocational Institute and a member of the Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton 4-H Association.

As the contest winner, Maggie-Jo receives $500 from GROWMARK and her 4-H Association receives $300 in honour of her accomplishment to help future students.

Two provincial runners-up each receive a $125 award. The runners-up this year are: Jordan Wills from Chatham-Kent and Morgan MacIntyre of Russell County.

To read Maggie-Jo’s full essay, visit www.growmark.com

UPI Energy FS celebrates another record-breaking year in community outreach.

Despite the well-below seasonal temperatures, UPI Energy FS welcomed a record breaking number of golfers to its 17th Invitational Charity Golf Tournament earlier this month at Rebel Creek Golf Club in Petersburg. This year, with the generous support from sponsors, associates and employees, $45,000 was raised for three worthy causes. 

Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre received $35,000, $5,000 was donated to the Guelph/Wellington Special Olympics and $5,000 to the Bernie Daly Memorial Fund. 

At the evening awards banquet, Rob McIntosh, UPI Energy FS general manager thanked the 175 supporters in the room for their generous support and called all three charities up to be recognized and honoured for their great work.

About the charities:

UPI Energy FS general manager Rob McIntosh

presents a cheque for $35,000 to representatives 

of Sunrise Therapeutic Riding Centre. 

 Since 1982, Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre has provided a program of therapy, recreation, sport and life skills training for children and adults with special needs. The program focuses on individual ability by providing an environment of challenge, enjoyment and achievement. 

Rob McIntosh and Paulinka Yee of UPI Energy FS
present a cheque for the Bernie Daly Fund
to Claude Gauthier of GROWMARK.

Bernie Daly, was GROWMARK's Ontario region manager and a long time co-operative champion. The main objective of Bernie Daly Memorial Fund established in 2009, is to provide a long-term pool of resources that will help support youth who cannot participate in the Co-operative Young Leaders program due to financial restraints or lack of sponsorship. Daly’s main concern was to ensure that all youth in the co-operative sector have the opportunity to experience CYL. 

Julie McLean and Julia Ceccotti of UPI Energy FS
present a cheque of $5000 to representatives of
the Guelph-Wellington Special Olympics group.

Special Olympics Guelph-Wellington provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in various Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, experience joy, demonstrate courage and participate in a sharing of skills and friendship with their families, other athletes and the community in general.

Congratulations to Embrun Co-op; receives prestigious Franco-Ontarian Award!

This article first appeared in Ontario Farmer; by: Tom Van Dusen

The original six founding directors of Embrun Co-op and its 26 members were recently recognized for their foresight in launching what is now known as one of Ontario’s most successful co-operatives.

In its first year, (1943), Embrun Co-op saw great results right from the start with sales of $54,000 and patronage dividends paid to members of $1,600. Today, almost 75 years later, annual sales have reached $75 million, with 250 employees and 5,000 members.

"It is more than just a company," says Maurice Godard, Embrun Co-op secretary. "It is a large family with ancestors and descendants, a heritage that perpetuates for many generations."

Owned by its members, Embrun Co-op is a prominent face throughout this eastern town's main street (Rue Notre-Dame) with its many facets and diversity. Starting with its grain division with 15 storage bins and two dryers, feed and agronomy divisions, fuel and heating, auto repair garage, an Independent grocery store and Rona hardware outlet.

The forefathers of Embrun Co-op named in this award are Elve Brisson, Charles Bruyere, Lionel Emard, Henri Lemieux, Aldeo Perras and Joffre Lapointe, first CEO serving 20 years at the co-op.

This prestigious award program has been in place for the past 30 years by l’Union des Cultivateurs Franco-Ontariens (UFCO), a French language farm advocacy group based at Clarence Creek in the Counties of Prescott and Russell.

Embrun Co-op is a member of a larger co-operative network in GROWMARK, Inc.

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.

Pre-spring March meetings in full bloom for Ontario GROWMARK System!

March is a topical month, marking the end of winter, the beginning of baseball season, basketball playoffs (March Madness), and for the Ontario GROWMARK System, March ends another season of extensive training, education and engagement as FS specialists gear up for spring. 

• Starting the season with a two-day FS Agronomy Conference that provided FS crop specialists with informative and interactive sessions on big data and precision-ag, the 4R conversation, weather expertise from The Weather Network and a body language analysis session; all to help crop specialists be more effective in their day-to-day analysis and communications in the field. Some feedback from attendees: “Nice mix of topics; overall very informative and worth the two days away; One of the best conferences yet." 

To hear more from conference participants, listen to the GROWMARK podcast here.

Ryan White, GROWMARK Director Agronomy talks
big data and Precision-Ag.

Neil Thornton of Thornton Group gives expressive demonstration
on the importance of body language in our everyday communications. 

• A two-day Custom Applicator Clinic offered hands-on training using simulators and equipment demonstrations to more than 80 FS custom applicators. Applicators were recognized for their hard work and expertise in precision and accuracy.

Joe Joosten, Wanstead Farmers Co-operative director and
Mary Walton, GROWMARK Ontario region administrative
assistant plot co-op principles on Ontario map.

• The FS Director Summit gave member co-operative board directors and general managers an opportunity to network, hear from GROWMARK executive teams and gain new insights into government relations strategies, ag advocacy and other pertinent topics. The theme for this year’s Summit was Principle #6 Co-operation among co-operatives and was top-of-mind throughout the event.

• Most recently, FS experts in agronomy, energy and grain marketing attended the GrainFarmers of Ontario March Classic trade show in London Ontario. This event provided a good opportunity for FS specialists to network with other industry leaders and many of their valued customers throughout the day. 

To hear more about March Classic from FS agronomy, grain marketing and energy experts, listen to the GROWMARK podcast here.

• Led by GROWMARK Ontario region staff, Successful Selling Series was offered to sales staff along with a Management Leadership Session for Ontario FS System managers, provided by Andy King, GROWMARK manager Leadership Development.

Training, education and information sharing is one 

of the seven co-operative principles.