2019 AGM – POLICY FORUM

Since joining the Organic Council of Ontario in early 2016, Executive Director Carolyn Young has placed renewed emphasis on serving members’ needs and campaigning for an Ontario organic regulation. Prior to joining OCO, Carolyn worked as the Director of Sustain Ontario, the alliance for healthy food and farming.  Together with member organizations, she advocated for the support of healthier food systems through education, network development and collaborative action. Carolyn gained extensive experience in food security, farming and environmental policy issues through her Masters research focused on farmers’ markets and her time at the Stop Community Food Centre. She has worked on farms and farming issues in four provinces in addition to visiting farms across Canada and abroad as an Independent Organic Inspector.

Hugh Martin is an organic inspector and consultant and has worked as an agronomist in Ontario for 43+ years.He worked for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs for 34 years (retired 2011) and has worked with organic farmers for 35 years.He has a BSc (Agr) and MSc from U of Guelph and grew up a farm in Essex County.

Simon Jacques has been inspecting organic producers with Ecocert Canada for the past 15 years. He also farms 125 acres of organic field crops near his home in Guelph, Ontario. Simon has a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Guelph. He enjoys cross-country skiing and canoeing in the Canadian Shield and hopes to spend more time enjoying our beautiful north with his family.

David is a strong supporter of exceptionally flavourful, consistently available, and nutrient dense foods which are most effectively provided by local organic growers. He has been a marketing and business consultant for organic producers for seven years, prior to which he spent 23 years as a successful mid-scale vegetable and greenhouse producer and marketer, seven years as a columnist for the Globe & Mail on alternative agriculture, and seven years as a chef. His decades of researching, experiencing, teaching, and leading have been recognized by a Governor General’s Award for Stewardship and Sustainability.

Ruvena Buslovich is the Organic and Natural Foods Manager at Fiesta Farms. She holds a MASc in Environmental Management focused on food security, with a work

Joel is an Organic Certification Officer with Ecocert Canada, has a degree in Agriculture Science, and a Master in Capacity Development and Extension from the University of Guelph. He has been working in the organic sector as a researcher, inspector, certification officer and consultant for the last eight years, and is a member of the board in the Supporter representing his consulting business, Local Food Finder.

Presentation: Organic Fraud and Experience with the Traces system in Europe

Harro and Anke Wehrmann have been involved in Canada’s organic industry for over 30 years, first trying to master farming, then processing and marketing internationally.

During that time, Harro has had the pleasure of participating in the numerous incarnations of Europe’s organic Fraud control system, from 
early certification body accreditation to today’s “Traces” system.

Despite their best efforts, Europe still has not managed to keep us out…

Presentation: Imports and Gaps in Organic Tracking in North America

Ryan Koory has spent the past eight years developing forecasts, analytical models, and market insights for the entire agriculture supply chain. Prior to focusing on organic markets, Ryan developed econometric models forecasting US and global agricultural markets for top global agriculture businesses, focusing on livestock, dairy, and biofuels markets. With Mercaris, Ryan has worked to develop the data and tools needed to crack open US organic markets, and highlight the opportunities and challenges it presents.

Presentation: Utilizing Blockchain for IP Soybeans traceability

Ken Nott has over 25 years’ experience in trading various instruments including Equities, FX, Commodities, Pulses and Specialty Crops. Has worked for both large institutions and independently. Having specialized in Ag commodities in both western Canada and Ontario for the last 5 years has seen opportunities for technology to create efficiency in the current system. Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a minor in Economics from the University of New Brunswick. Fredericton.

Ali has a degree in Food Production and the Environment (B.Sc.) from McGill University and an M.Sc in Agroecology from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Ali spent a number of seasons working as an intern and volunteer on farms in Ontario, BC and abroad, after which she helped run a market garden CSA business. Prior to working with EFAO, Ali spent 6 years as FarmStart’s Training and Resources Program Manager, developing workshops, courses, farm tours and resources for new ecological farmers across Ontario. Ali loves supporting ecological farmers; the growers, innovators and community builders who are doing such valuable work!

Presentation: On-farm trials using tarps instead of tillage and their effects on soil carbon

Brent Preston worked as a human rights investigator, aid worker, election observer and journalist on four continents before finding his true calling as a farmer. In 2003 he and his wife, Gillian Flies, abandoned successful careers in Toronto, packed up their two young children, and moved to a run-down farm outside Creemore, Ontario. Since then, they have built The New Farm into a thriving business and a leading light in the good food movement, providing organic vegetables to some of the best restaurants in Canada and raising over a million dollars to make local, organic food accessible in low income communities. Brent’s first book, The New Farm: Our Ten Years on the Front Lines of the Good Food Revolution, is now a national bestseller and will be published in paperback in March.

Presentation: How to measure soil health with citizen scientists: Preliminary findings from Erin Township

Ruth is an advisor, mentor and facilitator, to farmers, land managers and communities for understanding and connecting ‘soil first’ solutions.  Ruth completed a BSc. in Agriculture and MSc. in Rural Planning and Development at the University of Guelph.  Ruth has strong connections to agriculture and rural communities, living most of her life in southwestern Ontario.  From 1992 to 2011, Ruth co-owned a mixed livestock pasture focused farm. In 2005, Ruth established her independent consultancy company and has provided services to a diversity of farms, businesses, and researchers with a focus on organic systems.  Ruth has a passion for soil health and the power of regenerative agriculture to create a future worth gifting to our grandchildren. In 2017, Ruth cofounded an emergent soil health project with farmers, community members, and citizen scientists in Erin, Ontario.  The work of the Soil Health Coalition offers a framework for the transformation and regeneration of our landscapes, people, and communities.

Presentation: Wild pollinators in rotational grazing systems

Kyra is a doctoral candidate researching how agro-ecosystem management impacts native pollinator communities, and how best to conserve biodiversity and pollination services in agricultural landscapes. Her PhD research is co-supervised by Profs. Ralph Martin (Department of Plant Agriculture) and Nigel Raine (School of Environmental Sciences), and she holds a Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science & Technology and a University of Guelph Graduate Entrance Excellence Scholarship. Previously, Kyra completed a BSc in Agricultural Science at the University of Guelph and a BA in English at McGill University.

Presentation: Organic dairy cost of production trials and ongoing research

Simon has been the executive director of UCFO for the past 12 years. He is also the executive director of the Agricom newspaper and the Alfred Research Farm (FERCA) since 2015.

Before serving as executive director for the UCFO, Simon was involved in economic development.

Simon has a bachelor degree in agricultural economics from the University of Laval (2002) and completed an MBA at the University of Ottawa in 2017.

Simon loves sports and has an entrepreneurial mind. Always looking for partner to start a new project.

Presentation: What is Grass-fed? Pro-Cert’s new standard

Dave Lockman is the Certification Manager for the Eastern Regional Office of Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd. He has over 12 years experience in the organic certification industry and over 20 years of experience in

the Agri-Food industry specializing in dairy production and cash crops.  He holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in Agri-Food from Laval University and a Bachelors of  Science in Agriculture from the University of Guelph.

Presentation: What is Grass-fed milk? Perspectives from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario

Bita Farhang is Research and Market Development Manager at Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO), overseeing research, new market development, niche products and innovation programs, and provides technical expertise to processors and industry alike. She holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Guelph, with over 10 years of experience in the food industry, and a comprehensive scientific background and technical experience of the dairy product manufacturing.

Bita is currently a member of the International Dairy Federation’s (IDF) Standing Committee on Nutrition and Health, and Standing Committee on Marketing and a member of the FIL-IDF Canada Co-ordinating Committee on Science, Nutrition and Health.

Presentation: Other emerging Methods of Production claims: humane, free from and more

Ashley Delarge is the Value Chain Governance Manager for True Foods, a division of the Grand Valley group of companies (GVF). Ashley joined GVF in 2018 and is responsible for managing existing value chains and helping develop new value-added programs in meat, milk and eggs.

A graduate of Dalhousie University and the University of Guelph, Ashley has an honours and master’s degree in International Development Studies, with a focus on agricultural policy. She is passionate about finding profitable opportunities for family farms in Ontario and beyond—a key part of GVF’s three-fold purpose: Profitable Farms, Healthy Food, Improved Lives.

Presentation: What do organic and Grass-fed“ dairy and beef producers think?

Marte Pronk has operated an organic dairy farm for thirty years, going 100% grass-fed for the last three. His farm is in now in total grass production.

Marte is currently on the DFO Organic Task force, and serves as Chair of the Wellington County Dairy Producers.

His wife , Joanne, and he currently have a mixed farm that also includes a 500 hen laying flock (organic). Farmgate sales include eggs, ground beef, some custom beef sales – 1/4s, meat chickens, spent hens and some pork. 

Presentation: What do organic and Grass-fed“ dairy and beef producers think?

Mathias and his wife Jennifer own and operate Seilern farm near Kincardine, Ontario. The farm is a 400 acre certified organic mixed grain and grass-fed beef operation. The 60 head Angus cross herd and fat cattle are rotationally grazed on both annual and perennial forage through the grazing season and fed stored forages in the winter. 

Seilern farm was one of the founding members of Eat Local Grey Bruce; an innovative online farmers market coop operating in Bruce and Grey counties. They have been selling grass-fed beef through this and other direct to consumer venues for the past 6 years. 

Europe’s consumer-facing product database: Bio Mit Gesicht “Organics with a Face”

With his wife Kristine, Thorsten has owned Persephone Market Garden since 2009. Since 2015, he participated in building food distribution co-operative Eat Local Grey Bruce, an emerging food distribution co-operative that sells local food, supplemented with non-local, organic products. His roles have included business planning, general manager, and now planning expansion scenarios. Thorsten holds a PhD in Agriculture. Thorsten also represents non-certified (ecological) producers on the OCO board.

Presentation: Experience with BioLinks and BioTracks: Tracking animal supply chains with your smart phone

Cory and his wife, Heidi, live and work on the VG Haldimand farm. They are proud to be rubber boot-wearing Ontario farmers. “I am a farmer at heart but I also appreciate the business side of farming. I often switch from my rubber boots to my business boots a few times in the same day.”

Besides running the farm with his wife, Cory is also referred to as our in-house politician. He is often meeting with officials on behalf of the beef industry as well as attending meetings and conferences to promote the mission and mandate of VG Meats.

Catriona Ffrench is part owner of Cookstown Greens and as such is involved with the production, merchandising, and marketing aspects of the business. Cookstown grows, packages, and markets certified organic vegetables to retail stores. Through running store demos and farm tours, Catriona can see how much information there is about organic farming that is not understood by consumers. She believes more education is needed to promote local, organic produce, and supports OCO’s efforts to encourage regulation of the use of the term, “organic” in Ontario.

Presentation: National Campaign for Seed Sovereignty

Ann Slater is a small-scale certified organic market gardener who has been selling organic vegetables in the St. Marys area for over 35 years.  She has past experience as a board member with the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, the Organic Council of Ontario and the National Farmers Union.  She is currently a member of the NFU’s Seed Sovereignty Committee and a board member of Farmers’ Markets Ontario and the St. Marys Farmers’ Market.

Presentation: Upholding Farmers’ Rights while Supporting Seed Variety Development

Aabir developed his passion for seeds while supporting research trials for Seeds of Diversity’s collection of over 3,000 different Canadian seed varieties. After completing a Master of Environmental Studies at York University, Aabir joined the The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security. Aabir has co-authored publications on Canada’s seed system including the Discussion Paper on Seed Policy in Canada, and Canadian Organic and Ecological Plant Breeding Priorities for Vegetable Crops. Aabir loves working with farmers all over Canada, and is honoured to steward The Bauta Family Seed Initiative at a national level. Aabir works remotely from Guelph, Ontario.

Presentation: Plant Breeders Right Act and Consultations – what does this mean for organic?

Check back for Jennifer’s bio!

Presentation: Imports and Gaps in Organic Tracking in North America

Ryan Koory has spent the past eight years developing forecasts, analytical models, and market insights for the entire agriculture supply chain. Prior to focusing on organic markets, Ryan developed econometric models forecasting US and global agricultural markets for top global agriculture businesses, focusing on livestock, dairy, and biofuels markets. With Mercaris, Ryan has worked to develop the data and tools needed to crack open US organic markets, and highlight the opportunities and challenges it presents.

Geoff is a Senior Industry Specialist in the Product Management and Industry Relations department for the last two years. Prior to that, Geoff was a Grains and Oilseeds Regional Specialist across Ontario with Agricorp for 4 years.

Geoff worked for 10 years in the seed industry with roles in crop research/plant breeding with a multi-national seed company. Geoff graduated from the University of Guelph in 2000 with a diploma in Agribusiness and a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree in Agronomy.

Growing up on a dairy and cash crop farm in Lambton County Geoff also managed his own cash crop farm however currently the land is rented to the family dairy farm that continues to operate.

Geoff has worked with organic growers one on one with production insurance claims and supporting underwriting for organic crops across the province as well as provides support to organic growers at the industry level in his current role.

Henry Van Ankum and his family operate a cash crop and hog farm near Alma . The main crops grown on the farm are corn, soybeans and wheat. Graduated from Univ of Guelph with a Diploma in Agriculture in 1989 and has been involved in a number of Agriculture organizations over the years including:

• director Ontario Wheat Producers Marketing Board 2005-2010
• director Grain Farmers of Ontario 2010-present. chairman 2012-2015
• director Cereals Canada 2014-present. currently vice-chair

Henry was appointed to Ontario’s Grain Financial Protection Program board in 2013 as a producer rep and is currently vice-chair of the board.

Amy Hamblin Smith joined OCO in March 2019 at the Research and Policy Coordinator. Originally from the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Amy grew up visiting farms with the local veterinarian (her dad), and worked in fields, orchards and farm markets for several years.

Amy holds a BA from Concordia University and an MA in Communication and Cultural Studies from Ryerson University, where she researched second-hand economies. She comes to OCO from the Youth Research and Evaluation Exchange – a government initiative housed at York University – and PEN Canada, a human rights organization focused on freedom of expression.

Simon Jacques has been inspecting organic producers with Ecocert Canada for the past 15 years. He also farms 125 acres of organic field crops near his home in Guelph, Ontario. Simon has a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Guelph. He enjoys cross-country skiing and canoeing in the Canadian Shield and hopes to spend more time enjoying our beautiful north with his family.

Check back for Terry’s bio!

Check back for Kate’s bio!