Week of January 28th

Met with Chicken Farmers of Ontario’s Chris Holbasz to discuss Flocking Options
Sustain Ontario Meat Working Group conference call
Meeting with media specialist to discuss OCO’s core funding drive and OCO’s role as a “thought leader”
AGM Final Planning
Participated on the Canadian Organic Extension Network Seminar Panel speaking to the role of NGOs in the extension landscape. The session was attended by over 40 extension specialists, government, industry, academics and farmers
Participated in the GMO Seminar at Guelph Organic Conference to share our experience with the CSTA and the stalled “RR Alfalfa Co-existence Strategy” process
Board Member John Devlin delivered an excellent workshop on re-invigorating the organic movement. Nutritionist, lecturer and author Julie Daniluk joined our panel along with ED Jodi Koberinski and youth activist Rachel Parent, founder of Children’s Right to Know Campaign for labeling GMOs
Hosted the 3rd Annual Ontario Organic Awards
Exhibited at the Guelph Organic Conference- featured the results of our New Directions Project, with researcher and PhD candidate/ CSA farmer Theresa Schumilas on hand to discuss the results
Distributed our new “Transition to Organic” brochure to the CBs- OCO Member CSI was particularly grateful as the Organic Standards do not allow the CBs to provide any information of substance for farmers to prevent “conflict of interest” and maintain 3rd party integrity.
Participated in the COTA-sponsored Trader’s Breakfast to discuss hot issues with Canada’s “movers and shakers” in the organic scene
Toured Rachel Parent around the exhibition to introduce her to other mentors in the sector and to explore a journalism project with her and her family… STAY TUNED!