1/2 Day

2011 Workshop Dates:  April 13th; October 19th

The workshop is targeted to those individuals looking to enhance their personal productivity skills through better use of the BlackBerry device and its associated functions

Certificate from the Rural Ontario Institute

Please contact the Rural Ontario Institute for more details

Created in conjunction with Research in Motion (RIM), graduates of this workshop increase productivity and enhance on-the-job performance by knowing how to match the right process and skill set when using their BlackBerry devices

1/2 Day

The next workshop is scheduled for October 26, 2011.

This 1/2 workshop is held in conjunction with the 1/2 day workshop on \Understanding Not-for-Profit Organization Financials\".  If attend both workshops the full day cost is $545.00. 

The course is targeted to those individuals who are board members of not-for-profit organizations and charitable organizations

Certificate from the Rural Ontario Institute

Contact the Rural Ontario Institute for more details

Focus on the board member's responsiblity to inspire and monitor organization's performance

Date/Location:

-         Ottawa on Feb 11, 2012 (specific location still to be determined)

-         Guelph region March 3, 2012: Bloomindgale Community Centre, 1031 Snyder's Flats Road, Blomindgale

Strawberries are known to have high levels of pesticide residues compared to most other crops. There is a strong public demand for organic strawberries, but the supply is very limited. The Growing Strawberries Organically workshop will help farmers tap into this important niche market. A companion to COG’s newly released Practical Skills Handbook Growing Strawberries Organically, this workshop covers important considerations and management strategies to successful organic strawberry production.

The Growing Strawberries Organically workshop is for organic growers wanting to diversify their farm or improve the quality and quantity of their organic strawberries, or conventional growers wanting to explore organic strawberries as an option, or simply to reduce their pesticide usage while still raising quality berries.

Cost: Includes lunch and a copy of COG’s Practical Skills Handbook Growing Strawberries Organically

-         $60 COG members

-         $70 for non-members

-         $35 for additional people from the same farm business (excludes book).

-         Additional books are $15 ea (reg $19-$22).

Growing Strawberries Organically

Initial sign up & Information Gathering January 16, 2012 - Saskatoon

Individual Data gathering & input training - February - March 2012

Follow up Meeting - TBA (Fall 2012) 

Day 1 - Explanation of information required to participate (1.5 hour)
         - Accounting systems used and how they impact decsion making (.5 hr)
         - Description of various ratio analysis that will be performed and brief explanation of what they tell you (1 hr)

Individual Meetings - Held to gather information and start working through inputing into ratio calculations and assist with data gathering.  (6.5hrs)

Day 2 Group Meeting - indepth discussion of ratio's calculated and provide benchmark data (2hrs)
 - provide tool (Spreadsheet) to individuals and how to update for future years to monitor business (2.5 hrs)
 - Q&A, information sharing and group discussions about possible solutions to improve business and what impact certian decisions will have on your business (2 hrs)

Tuition to participate $2,800 plus out of pocket costs for individual meetings such as mileage (@$0.50/km and meal allowance $20/meal). 

Young farmers < 40 years of age that want to make more informed decisions for their operation or better assess the operation that they may be taking over from their family.  Will consider expanding this to all producers who show an interest in using financial data for decision making.

Financial ratio's provided for participants operation (or family's operation) along with certificate of completion.

2 day workshop/classroom meetings with individual time spent working with participants on their own fincial information between the two group meetings.

November to March

Financial ratio calculation and tool provided to update into the future to assist in desicion making process.

6 hours

$60 + HST per person. Includes a copy of Crop Planning for Organic Vegetable Growers, and snacks. Date: January 27, 2011 Location: Guelph Organic Conference, University of Guelph, University Centre, Room UC103 Time: 9:00 - 3:00

This workshop is appropriate for vegetable growers of any scale regardless of whether they are organic or not.

This workshop provides a much-needed structure for figuring out how to make money on a market garden. It hones in on the core issues of farm success: which crops to grow, when to plant them, and in what quantities. Then it provides a logical, linear process for getting it all done, on time. It sets out 11 steps, including: * Decide how much money you need to make; * Calculate how much of each veggie you have to sell to meet your financial goals; * Decide where you will sell; * Make field planting schedules to ensure you have the crops you need at the right time; * Generate greenhouse/seed starting schedules; * Fill out a seed order; * Make a field operations calendar; * Analyze profitability and refine your plans for next year.

1 Hour

Date: February 1st, 2011 Time: 12pm - 1pm EST

This course is intended for existing produce farmers who want to transition to certified organic production.

This is a web based course.

The course walks each producer through the development of an organic plan specific to their farm, including: soil assessment, fertility plan, pest management plan, weed management plan, cropping plan and plans for monitoring and record keeping.

1 Hour

Date: February 8th, 2011 Time: 12pm - 1pm EST

Farmers, Organic Farmers.

This is a web based course.

One of the most challenging and important aspects of organic certification is the requirement to maintain records which enable the inspector to conduct a field to table audit of organic production. This 2-part webinar will help you learn the best way to set up a record keeping system, what types of records you need to keep, how your farm operation can benefit from improved record keeping as well as offer simple suggestions to make record keeping easier on your farm. Part 2 of the course will be offered on February 22, 2011, please be sure to register for both webinars!

1 Hour

Date: February 22nd, 2011 Time: 12pm - 1pm EST

Farmers, Organic Farmers

One of the most challenging and important aspects of organic certification is the requirement to maintain records which enable the inspector to conduct a field to table audit of organic production. This 2-part webinar will help you learn the best way to set up a record keeping system, what types of records you need to keep, how your farm operation can benefit from improved record keeping as well as offer simple suggestions to make record keeping easier on your farm. Part 1 of the course will be offered on February 8th, 2011, please be sure to register for both webinars!