Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association Annual Conference Report

OSCIA is farmers actively seeking, testing, and adopting optimal farm production and stewardship practices.

2017 Annual Conference Best Western Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre, London, Ontario February 7-8, 2017 Top Sponsors for the 2017 OSCIA Annual Conference

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OSCIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 2 Join the Conversation! #OSCIA2017 2017 Sponsorships

OSCIA gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the following sponsors: Platinium Sheaf Sponsorship

Country Guide

Gold Sheaf Sponsorship

Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) Farm Credit Canada (FCC)

Silver Sheaf Sponsorship

AIM Environmental Group Conservation Ontario (CO) David Berman Communications Lystek International Inc. Maizex Miller Thomson LLP Ontario Mutual Insurance Association RLB Chartered Professional Accountants Syngenta Terratec Environmental

Bronze Sheaf Sponsorship

Canada's Outdoor Farmshow (COFS) Ontario Power Generation (OPG)

General Sponsors

Pickseed Canada Programmed Insurance Brokers Inc. (PIB) RLB Chartered Professional Accountants RBC - Steve Roud

OSCIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 3 Join the Conversation! #OSCIA2017 Table of Contents Agenda 5 Annual Meeting Speakers 7 2016 President Report 8 Executive Director Report 9 2016 Executive Committee 10 2016 Executive Profiles 11 2016 Board of Directors 13 2016 OSCIA Committees 14 Research Committee Reports 15 Standing Committee Reports 22 Internal Committee Report 25 2016 OSCIA Provincial Staff 26 OSCIA Staff Reports 27 Soil and Crop Sustainability Fund 30 Regional Communication Coordinator Reports 31 OSCIA 2016 Annual Meeting Minutes 39 Association Resolutions 44 OSCIA Soil & Water Conservation Farm Signs 45 Association Recognition Certificates 45 Association Contributions 45 OSCIA Memberships 45 Tier One Grant Report Reminder 45 OSCIA Outline of Programs/Projects 46 2016 Financial Statements 47 County/District Grant Payment Summary 2016 63 OSCIA Regional Associations & Boundaries Map 65 OSCIA Presidents and Year Served 66 Honorary Presidents and Year Served 66 Notes 67

OSCIA Mission Statement Facilitate responsible economic management of soil, water, air and crops through development and communication of innovative farming practices.

OSCIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 4 Join the Conversation! #OSCIA2017 Agenda

Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association 2017 Annual Conference

Tuesday, February 7 “Seek, Test, Adopt”

10:00 AM Registration Opens (Atrium) Pre-Conference session - “How to hold a Successful Meeting” Helen Scutt, OMAFRA (South Crystal Ballroom) & Brittany Roka, OSCIA

Afternoon Presentation Topic Speaker

12:00 PM Election Lunch - Oak Room

1:00 PM Welcome & Opening Remarks (Crystal Ballroom) Gord Green, OSCIA President 1:10 PM President’s Report Gord Green, OSCIA President Executive Director’s Report Andrew Graham, Executive Director Approval of 2016 OSCIA Annual Meeting Minutes Presentation & Approval of 2016 Audited Financial Statement Gord Barr, CA, RLP LLP, Guelph Introduction to the 2017 Honorary President Mack Emiry, 1st Vice President 2:00 PM Ratification of the Board of Directors Les Nichols, 3rd Vice President Presenting the Slate of the Executive Committee 2:05 PM Research Committee Reports Mack Emiry, 1st Vice President Peter Johnson, Real Agriculture & 2:15 PM Panel Discussion - “What leads you to make farming decisions?” Patrick Lynch, Certified Crop Advisor

3:15 PM Break (Atrium)

3:30 PM Introductions to Resolutions Peter McLaren, 2nd Vice President

Ontario’s 1st Soil Health Graduate Scholarship Presentation “Research in Progress: Opportunities for Inter-seeding Jaclyn Clark, UofG 4:45 PM Cover Crops into Corn Preceding Soybean” Presentation of 2016-17 scholarship winner 5:05 PM “Cow-Calf vs. Cash Crop - Who Wins?” Chad Anderson, Lambton County

5:30 PM Dinner Break (Atrium) Evening

6:30 PM “Forages for Profit and Soil Health” Ian McDonald, OMAFRA

7:15 PM “Forage Insurance Results” Ellen Blenkiron, Agricorp

7:35 PM “Milk Plus Wine = Diversification” Denis Perrault, Russell County

8:00 PM Remaining Resolutions (if needed) Peter McLaren, 2nd Vice President

8:30 pm Adjourn for the Day - Mix & Mingle (Atrium)

OSCIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 5 Join the Conversation! #OSCIA2017 Wednesday, February 8 Morning Presentation Topic Speaker NEW Bring a Friend Day - for Wednesday morning or afternoon program and get a free lunch 6:45 AM Breakfast (Atrium)

8:00 AM Morning Program & Opening Remarks Les Nichols, 3rd Vice President Tier Two: St. Clair - “Advancing Cover Crop Systems in Ontario - 8:10 AM Adam Hayes Soil Nutrients (N&P), Soil Health, Insects and Nematodes” Adrian Mohammed 8:30 AM Tier One: Halton - “Assessing Innovative Soil Sampling” & Kay McLagen Tier Two: Ottawa-Carleton - “Environmentally Sustainable Utilization 8:40 AM Sean Cochrane of N on Corn” 9:00 AM Tier One: Durham/Victoria - “Summer Bus Tour” Paul Hagey Mike Dorion, Living Soil 9:10 AM Keynote Presentation: “The Living Soil” Solutions, Calgary, AB 10:00 AM Break (Atrium)

10:30 AM Tier One: Norfolk - “Systems Approach to Cover Crops in Rotation” Dan Petker Tier Two: Cochrane-Temiskaming - “Rapid Development of 10:40 AM Farmland from Boreal Forest and an Evaluation Relative to Stephanie Vanthof Traditional Clearing Methods” 11:00 AM Tier One: Eastern Valley - “Bringing Your Soil to Life” Warren Schneckenburger 11:10 AM Tier Two: Thames Valley - “Roots Not Iron” Mike Miller Tier One: Middlesex, Elgin & Thames Valley - “Nitrogen 11:30 AM Jeff Davis Management in Extremely Advanced Wheat”

11:40 AM Tier One: Renfrew - “Soil Health Benchmarking” Kelly Armstrong

12:00 PM Lunch (Crystal Ballroom) Afternoon

OSCIA Program Updates ………….. 1:00 PM Environmental Programs - Interim Environmental Programs Manager Andréa Dubé-Goss Growing Forward 2 - Program Manager John Laidlaw Research & Business Development - Executive Officer Harold Rudy 2:15 PM 2016 Soil Champion Presentation & Announcing the 2017 Winner Tyler Vollmershausen 2:45 PM Break (Atrium)

3:00 PM Launch of NEW Ontario Forage Master Competition Don Oliver 3:20 PM Introduction to the Association Development Advisor’s Objectives Brittany Roka 3:45 PM iClicker Session - Feedback from Delegates Alan Kruszel & Brittany Roka 4:00 PM “Engaging the public at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show” Karen Jacobs

4:30 PM Adjourn (RCC, Board, and Soil Champion Pictures) Cambridge Room Evening Reception (Atrium)

5:00 PM Reception in the Atrium - Banquet doors open at 6:15 PM 6:30 PM Banquet Dinner (short break at 8:15 p.m.) Welcome & Opening Remarks 8:30 PM Banquet Entertainment John Park, Comedy Entertainer

9:20 PM Introduction of New OSCIA President for 2017 Gord Green & Mack Emiry

9:30 PM Annual Conference Adjourns - Mix & Mingle (Atrium)

OSCIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 6 Join the Conversation! #OSCIA2017 AnnualKeynote SpeakersMeeting forSpeakers 2017 Helen Scut, Agricultural Organizations Specialist, OMAFRA Vollmershausen Farms (Tyler), “Pre-Conference - How to run a successful meeting” 2016 Soil Champion Winner Helen Scutt is an Agriculture Organization The Vollmershausens have been farming Specialist for OMAFRA. For over 25 years, near Innerkip in Oxford County for six she has been involved in community and generations. The Vollmershausens economic development and helping practice strip tillage using a Soil Warrior, organizations to build their capacity. a technology Tyler says has helped Through her work, Helen has seen the them reduce their fertilizer usage, boost positive impact that can be made by yield, and address labour issues. Tyler’s collaborations and collective impact. Helen real passion is cover crops. works with many non-profit agriculture and Tyler won the OSCIA Soil Champion rural organizations providing consulting and Award for 2016. facilitation services, training, and resource development.

Peter Johnson, , “What leads you to make farming Patrick Lynch, , “What leads you to make farming decisions?” - Panel Discussion decisions?” - Panel Discussion Peter Johnson is an independent Patrick Lynch is a Certified Crop Advisor, consultant, working as the Agronomist for based out of Peterborough, Ontario. Pat was Real Agriculture, and is the author of a Crop Specialist with OMAFRA for 12 years, Wheat Pete’s Word. Peter is also the lead and in 1985 started a Crop Consulting research advisor for Veritas, and works venture for Cargill, which is now the largest closely with the Middlesex SCIA on a crop consulting business in Canada, number of different research projects. employing 50 agronomists and 50+ summer Formally with OMAFRA for 30 years, Peter students. Pat is an experienced and hopes to continue farming, researching, engaging public speaker and writer. speaking to growers and Challenging farmers for many years to come.

Jaclyn Clark, “Research in Progress - Opportunities for Chad Anderson, St. Clair Regional Director, OSCIA, Inter-seeding Cover Crops into Corn Preceding Soybeans” “Cow-Calf vs. Cash Crop - Who Wins?” Jaclyn Clark is a Master’s student at the Chad and Debbie Anderson farm in University of Guelph, studying Cover Lambton County. They are the fifth Crops under the supervision of Dr. Bill generation operating a cow-calf enterprise Dean and Dr. Dave Hooker. Jaclyn was the under the name “Mooregrove Farms”. first OSCIA Soil Health Graduate Chad is a Certified Crop Consultant, Scholarship Recipient, in 2016. Professional Agrologist and has his own Jaclyn has an undergrad degree in agricultural consulting business “Anderson agriculture science, and is currently in her Agronomy Services”. 5th semester, and second field season of Chad is also the Provincial Director and investigating inter-seeding cover crops. President for St. Clair Regional SCIA.

Denis Perrault, “Milk Plus Wine = Diversification” Mike Dorion “The Compost Kid”, “The Living Soil” Denis has been operating a dairy farm in Everyday grocery stores just can not match Navan, Ontario since 1964, with his wife the memories of tastiness from grandma’s and family. Denis has been a member of garden. Many people from this generation OSCIA for almost 40 years and was have missed out on precious skills that were President in 1998. Denis has also been not passed down, especially in regards to a member of the Ottawa Valley Seed our soil. Starting with a gardening class put Growers Association for almost 20 on by the Calgary Horticulture Society, Mike years. Denis is a member of many other became immersed. It continued with his organizations and boards, such as the Permaculture Design Certificate, SPIN South Nation Conservation Authority, Farming, Greenhouse Design and mentoring on Soil and Soil Micro the Eastern Ontario Training Board, the Eastern Ontario Grape Biology. Mike is currently working on his Soil Food Web Advisor Growers Associations, to name a few. role with the Life in the Soil program put on by Elaine Ingham and sits on the board of Calgary Permaculture Guild. John Park, Ontario, Comedy Entertainer John Park's wide-ranging career has taken him from Hollywood, where he appeared on HBO's award-winning "Larry Sanders Show" starring Garry Shandling, to Las Vegas, where he performed in "Splash" at the Riviera Hotel and Casino on the Strip. At the invitation of the late Bill Graham, John opened for Huey Lewis and the News, The Grateful Dead, and the Jerry Garcia Band. He's performed on Persian rugs in Saudi Arabia for ex-pat oil workers, and even taken his act to sea, where he's played for the passengers of the SS Azure Seas as well as Senator Dianne Feinstein on a historic schooner, the Dolph Remp. John Park is sure to wow at the OSCIA 2017 annual conference, so sit back and enjoy the show!

OSCIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 7 Join the Conversation! #OSCIA2017 Our summer meeting this year was held in Massey Ontario 2016 President Report at the farm of Mack and Beth Emiry and their family. We were treated royally to local hospitality and several Greetings everyone; excellent tours. The Executive also travelled to the Rainy The Provincial Directors have River District where once again we were treated royally by had another busy year the local membership. It was great to get a tour of this far representing you, the members. northwest part of the province. The land and crops were The Directors sit on a number of beautiful. This area is truly a transition to the prairies. Provincial Committees pertaining This year our staff went above and beyond in creating an to such issues as crops, interactive experience for visitors at Canada's Outdoor phosphorus, pest control Farm Show. This is a joint venture between OMAFRA and products, wildlife damage and OSCIA. We heard many favorable comments on the environmental issues. experience people had in our tent and how much they Sometimes we are the only farm learned and enjoyed it. We are looking to do something voice at the table. It seems every year there are certain similar next year. issues that are the hot topic of the year. The last several years, neonics have been at the top of the concern list and I would like to personally thank you, the membership, for I am proud of the work that you, the members, have done, all the activities that go on around the province. From the doing side by side plots providing much needed research field plots to the tours to the educational events, the variety to help make good decisions on this issue. This is the last of events amazes me. I am truly proud of what this year of this research effort and I am eagerly awaiting the organization accomplishes. Special thanks to the staff both results. This was the largest research trial of this nature in in Guelph and in the field that do such a great job for this North America. A big Thank You to Dr. Art Schaafsma and organization. Thanks also to the Directors and RCCs for his team from the Ridgetown campus for heading up this being the liaison between the provincial office and the local project. This past year phosphorus runoff and the resulting counties and regions. I must also thank our OMAFRA algae bloom have been the major issue of concern. A lot of friends who do so much to help our organization from committees and working groups have been struck as a education to facilitation. I can only hope that this result of this. Climate change and soil erosion have also collaboration between our two organizations continues well been hot topics. The potential solution to all three topics is into the future. Thank you. the same – soil health through reduced tillage and the use It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your of cover crops. President this past year. The task has been made This past year the decision was made to put the Forage especially enjoyable because of the great Directors and Masters Program on hold so that we could retool and staff that I have had the pleasure to work with. Keep up the refocus the program to better meet the needs of the great work and all the best for the coming year. membership. We have the changes nearly finalized with 2016 President the resulting product being much more educational and Gord Green more relevant to all livestock sectors. Please consider trying out this newly revised program this spring. This past spring I was asked to chair the meeting where OMAFRA Minister Jeff Leal announced a major investment in soil mapping in Ontario. We are very pleased to see this Ontario investment by the Ministry. Our current soil maps are in Soil and Crop need of updating. I also attended an open house for the new Soil Health Interpretive Centre at the Elora Research Improvement Association Station. The highlight of the open house was the tour of the 18 lysimeters that were newly installed. These are small Have you heard? columns of undisturbed soil that have a large number of probes to measure gases, moisture, weight, etc. that are given off by growing crops. A corn-soybean-wheat rotation Ontario F will be compared to the same rotation with the maximum orage Master Competition use of cover crops and this will be done on two soil types. has been re-tooled for 2017 to better serve the This the largest project of its kind in North America. OSCIA needs of growers and the forage industry is doing the Knowledge Translation and Transfer for this project. Watch for details to be released soon at We have created a new position called the Association Development Advisor in response to findings from our ontariosoilcrop.org newly created Strategic Plan. Brittany Roka will be working with counties and regions to help with training, Interested? membership engagement and new member recruitment. oduction and stewar We are excited by the possibilities the new position offers. l farm pr dship prac ptima tices ting o Please avail yourselves of the opportunity to use this adop We are f ting, and resource. armers actively seeking, tes www.ontariosoilcrop.org

OSCIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 8 Join the Conversation! #OSCIA2017 The Strategic Plan adopted in 2015 short-listed four essential Executive Director Report actions to carry the organization forward over the next five As our country celebrates 150 years: years of growth and prosperity, we 1. Increase membership engagement; should remind ourselves that 2. Improve internal communication; OSCIA has existed as an integral 3. Facilitate applied research; part of Ontario agriculture for more 4. Develop and deliver adaptive and strategic program than half of that time. Leaders of opportunities. the day started this organization to fill the need for a mechanism to Through various presentations here at the conference you will ensure efficient flow of crop see we are making significant strides towards achieving this production and soil management vision. Early success in increasing membership engagement information amongst farmers, has certainly been bolstered by a very capable and extension experts and researchers. enthusiastic Association Development Advisor. Brittany Roka We’ve carved out quite a niche that has settled into the position very confidently, and equally by all accounts remains relevant, required and respected. important, the membership is eager and has begun stepping forward to participate in the skills training courses that are As much as it is a privilege to provide this report, I find it being organized. We’ve set our hopes on delivering up to 18 extremely challenging to give justice to so many activities skills training workshops across the province in year one. A happening within OSCIA. With that in mind, the annual similar goal will be set for the second year. It’s aggressive, but conference has been structured a bit differently this year, with achievable. The lessons learned and the coaching provided emphasis placed on providing delegates a great sense of the will enable others to raise their game and keep the splendid work being accomplished in membership conversation going forward. We are taking responsibility and engagement, applied research, special projects, educational leading a cultural change within the organization. and incentive program delivery. We are constantly exploring new opportunities to Seek, Test, and Adopt. The challenge of improved internal communications is something we must all contribute to. Talking on its own, does Embracing change continues to be the battle cry of many not define communication. It also involves listening. The organizations, including OSCIA. Successfully adapting to that positive decisions made by the Board to offer skills training is change leans heavily on learning new ways of doing things. an outcome of listening to what the local associations told us One year ago we informed you about the decision to take the they wanted, and decisively acting upon it. Forage Masters Competition off-line for one year to re-tool. Soil health remains central to our pursuits and that theme is The assigned committee worked very hard and with valuable carried through many planned presentations at the help from experts in the Ministry and industry, we are almost conference. It is an interesting dichotomy to see how some there. We borrowed from the success of the Environmental producers committed to a no-till or conservation tillage Farm Plan (EFP) to develop a self-assessment tool to rank program years ago and continue to refine it over time, proudly current management, and reveal best practices. As you will distancing themselves from aggressive tillage. While we see see on day two of the conference, the new Ontario Forage in other situations the pendulum continues to swing back and Masters Competition is soon to be debuted. Based on the forth from one system to another every few years. Nationally, reactions from those who eagerly participated in the pilot Stats Canada assures us no-till acres across the country more exercise, it is surely to be embraced by membership across than double those categorized as conservation till or the 11 regions. conventional. That’s good news, because those numbers are Speaking of the EFP, we alerted you one year ago that efforts not always reflected on the back roads of Ontario. In a recent were underway across the country towards building a national article from Washington State University prepared by Andrew standard for the technical content. Considerable progress has McQuire, the Natural Resource Conservation Service is been made. All ten provinces and Yukon are on board, and a quoted as describing tillage as a soil catastrophe. McQuire benchmarking exercise was completed in December. The goes on to say, “Tilling the soil is the equivalent of an consultant’s assignment was to provide an independent earthquake, hurricane and forest fire occurring simultaneously analysis that benchmarks themes and BMP categories, and to the world of soil organisms.” Strong words. ‘What’s then document the similarities and differences across the influencing the kind of decisions farmers are making on tillage eleven unique programs. The project found that the majority of and cropping’ is the topic of our panel discussion, featuring environmental concerns were quite uniformly addressed by two leading and very familiar experts. most jurisdictions. We had a very successful summit in Ottawa The province announced in June the Climate Change Action on the topic and a national steering committee is now working Plan. It included plans to invest $30 million in actions in to see how we can influence decision makers responsible for support of the Agricultural Soil Health and Conservation the next agriculture policy framework. Delivery agents, Strategy over four years. We’ve talked before about the government and national farm sector organizations have their strategy and plans to invest in soil mapping and information sights set on ensuring the national EFP standard covers the needed to assess soil health, and increase the use of BMPs basic environmental components of sustainable sourcing that reduce greenhouse gases and improve the long term requirements. The hope is the concept will align with reported capacity for soil carbon sequestration. Development of the federal objectives to differentiate Canada’s food system by draft Soil Strategy continues with hopes of having an strengthening the connection between food, health and approved document ready for broad consultation by mid- environment, while enhancing profitability in the farm and food summer. sectors. OSCIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 9 Join the Conversation! #OSCIA2017 If all this looks easy, it’s because of the many dedicated County dairy farm. Being well outside traditional grape- people that contribute to the success of the organization. The growing regions of the province has its challenges, but that members in the local associations are what drive interest and didn’t stand in the way of inspiration and determination. The engagement with organized tours, educational meetings, and operation has continued to evolve and ten years ago Domaine applied research trials. Their thirst for new and better ways of Perrault Winery was opened, and today caters to a growing growing crops and sustaining soil resources is what keeps us community of enthusiasts. moving forward. Association dollars are combined with those OSCIA is an active and determined organization. The work we generously provided by the Ministry to create opportunities do and the people this organization brings together, make a exclusive to local and regional associations. Tier One, Tier difference. But we don’t achieve success without stalwart Two and the new Farmland Health Education Grant open up support from others. I want to thank the provincial ministries, possibilities, and we are very pleased to see more and more federal departments, and the Agricultural Adaptation Council associations taking advantage. You are embracing the change that regularly demonstrate their confidence in our abilities by and taking the vision of the Board to whole new levels. investing in programs and other initiatives, and the many The leadership and foresight of the Board is commendable, industry and organization sponsors of our local events and and the highly skilled and committed work force in the Guelph provincial meetings. office, and those across the regions working in program Our delegates gather as they have for 78 years to celebrate delivery and communication, deserve our appreciation too. accomplishments and learn better ways of growing profitable Their pursuit for excellence is a significant part of what makes crops and preserving topsoil. This is your meeting. We hope the programs and projects successful. Staff put a lot of our lineup of speakers grabs your attention and challenges themselves into these program designs, delivery methods and you. One final comment–we know there is more work to be tracking devices. It’s a great team, and it’s a pleasure to see done to rebuild soil organic carbon levels, and reduce the risk their passion demonstrated daily. of edge-of-field losses of sediment and nutrients. That said, To add something new, we are pleased to be able to profile a let’s not miss the opportunity to celebrate the tremendous couple of members at this year’s conference that truly effort that has been invested by producers over the years in exemplify the Seek, Test, Adopt mantra of OSCIA. Chad pioneering and adopting new techniques to produce the Anderson from St. Clair Region will share findings of a study highest quality commodities while keeping farming profitable he spearheaded to demonstrate that income from a well- and sustainable. The tremendous environmental quality of the managed cow-calf enterprise can be competitive with that landscape that so many people of this province enjoy, is in a generated by cash crop production on the same land in the big part due to your wise decisions and management abilities. southwest. When one factors in the soil health and carbon sequestration merits of a perennial crop, there is a strong argument for cattle being part of a profitable climate change solution. Denis Perrault, Association President in 1998 is back Andrew Graham to tell the story of how he radically diversified their family operation in 1999 by establishing a vineyard on their Russell 2016 Executive Committee

Back: Andrew Graham (left), Alan Kruszel, Dawn Pate (OMAFRA) Right: Peter McLaren, Mack Emiry, Gord Green, and Les Nichols

OSCIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 10 Join the Conversation! #OSCIA2017 2016 Executive Profiles

PRESIDENT - Gord Green Gord, along with wife, Laura, and son, David, operate Greenholm Farms Limited, a dairy and cash crop operation north of Embro in Oxford County. Gord is the fifth generation to operate this farm which has been in the family since 1843. They milk 200 cows and farm 750 acres using strip-till in corn and no-till in soys, wheat and forages. The Greens have been practicing no-till for 25 years. They believe in protecting their farm resources for the benefit of future generations. Laura and Gord have two other children, Michael, a teacher in Ottawa and Amanda who is now employed by OMAFRA. They are also proud grandparents to four grandchildren and counting. Gord is a past president of Oxford Milkway Transport Coop, Embro Fair Board, Zorra Caledonian Society (Embro Highland Games), Oxford Soil and Crop Improvement Association and Bennington Junior Farmers. The Greens recently invested in an anaerobic digester to treat their manure and sell power under a FIT contract.

1ST VICE PRESIDENT - Mack Emiry Mack, with his sons Keith and Alan, along with his brother George, is a partner in Emiry Farms Ltd., an 800 acre dairy and crop farm in Sudbury District. This property became a "Century Farm" in 2013. Mack and his wife, Beth, also have a daughter, May Lynne, and another son, David, as well as 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Mack and Beth take pride in the fact that all the family are involved in farming in the province. Community and farm organization involvement through the years has been important for Mack. In addition to OSCIA, Mack has been involved with Federation of Agriculture, Massey Agricultural Society, Massey and Area Museum, Manitoulin-West Sudbury Dairy Producers, Manitoulin North Shore Victim Services and La Cloche Manitoulin Business Advisory Corporation. In more recent years, Mack and Beth have been given the opportunity to do some traveling which has included 3 trips to India in support of an agricultural mission and a recent trip to China.

2ND VICE PRESIDENT - Peter McLaren Peter along with his wife Suzanne, with help from his brother James and nephew Andrew operate a small beef and cash crop farm. Much earlier Peter worked in the transportation and construction industry before returning to the family farm, first as a dairy producer before switching to beef and cash crop. Primary crops are hay, haylage, barley and corn silage for the beef herd; cash crops are corn and IP soybeans. The home farm has been in the family since 1837 and an adjoining farm from the Crown since 1829. In the later 1800s the McLaren family had a rich history in the logging industry of the Ottawa Valley. Over the years Peter has been active on several committees,The Lanark County Stewardship, Mississippi Clean Water, Rideau Clean Water, Mississippi-Rideau Source Water as well as serving two terms on local council, one as the mayor. In the bit of spare time available he likes to spend time in the shop repairing or building equipment.

OSCIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 11 Join the Conversation! #OSCIA2017 3RD VICE PRESIDENT - Les Nichols Les and his wife Mary live in Formosa in southern Bruce County. They cash-crop about 150 acres in corn, soybeans and wheat. Les operates Crop Watch Crop Consulting working as an independent CCA providing crop consulting, nutrient management and NASM planning services. Les is also a Licensed Seed Crop Inspector. Les previously has 30 years of experience in ag retail primarily in the crop input and custom application business. Les has served on several organizations including Bruce Federation of Agriculture, Source Water Protection Committee, Bruce County Library Board, two terms on local council, church council, Lions Club, and a local business association. Les and Mary have two sons, married with 4 grandchildren in total. Both reside close by, one that farms and one employed as operator with Bruce Power.

2015 PAST PRESIDENT - Alan Kruszel Alan and his family operate a small cash crop farm and crop consulting business in Stormont County. They grow primarily corn, soybeans and spring wheat under-seeded with red clover and provide agronomic services to many local producers. Alan also teaches the Grower Pesticide Safety Course and the suite of provincial Nutrient Management courses. Alan has been involved in many organizations over the years and is currently chair of the Soil Conservation Council of Canada, president of the Stormont Federation of Agriculture, a member of the Eastern Ontario Water Resources Committee, sits on the South Nation River Clean Water Committee, is a member of the school council and of course, a long standing member of the Stormont Soil and Crop Improvement Association. In his free time, Alan enjoys spending time with his family. Alan and Lorraine have three children, Samuel, Sophie and Stephanie.

2016 HONORARY PRESIDENT - Peter Johnson Peter grew up farming just outside of Guelph, and was involved with both 4-H and Eramosa Junior Farmers. While attending the University of Guelph in the agriculture program, Peter joined the Wellington Soil and Crop Improvement Association, first as a member, and soon after as a director. It was there that Peter met Harvey Wright, the OMAF Soil and Crop Specialist for Waterloo/Wellington at the time, and the fire for Peter to be an extension specialist was ignited. Harvey was the epitome of excellence as an extension specialist, and while nothing like Peter, he was the role model that Peter still aspires to this day. After graduating from Crop Science (BSc agr) in 1982, Peter farmed full time with his brother Paisley, but his desire to work more broadly in agriculture did not subside. In 1985 he was hired as a Soil Conservation Advisor with OMAF, and in 1986 he was successful in joining Harvey Wright as one of the provincial Soil and Crop Specialists. Responsible for Lambton-Middlesex, he left the family farm, moving to the current farm just outside of Lucan. Peter’s career with OMAFRA was a dream job for him. His passion for agriculture, and his drive to find better ways to farm, served him well in this role. He was given the Provincial Cereal role soon after becoming a soil and crop specialist, and the underdog status of wheat was a perfect fit. He worked closely with the Ontario Wheat Producers Marketing Board, and then Grain Farmers of Ontario, to champion wheat in the province. Along the way he worked with an amazing team in the Field Crop unit, and was a contributor to many of the Ministry’s extension efforts. In particular, Peter developed “CropLine”, and was the voice of that system for many years. Peter retired from the Ministry in 2015, but his passion for agriculture has not diminished. He is now an independent consultant, working as the Agronomist for Real Agriculture, where he is back doing a weekly agronomic update, Wheat Pete’s Word. He is also the lead research advisor for Veritas, and still works closely with Middlesex SCIA on a number of different research projects. He speaks throughout Ontario, as well as across Canada and the US, on agronomic issues of any nature. He hopes to continue to farm, to research, to talk to growers, and to CHALLENGE farmers for many years to come. OSCIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 12 Join the Conversation! #OSCIA2017 2016 Board of Directors

Back Row (Left to Right): Jamie Littlejohn, Stewart Wright, Stefan Szeder, Chad Anderson, Dale Ketcheson, John Sikkens, and Don Oliver Front Row (Left to Right): Andrew Graham (Executive Director), Warren Schneckenburger, Peter McLaren, Mack Emiry, Gord Green, Alan Kruszel, and Dawn Pate (OMAFRA)

2016 Board of Directors Contact by Region East Central Heartland Quinte PETERBOROUGH WELLINGTON HASTINGS Don Oliver Stuart Wright Dale Ketcheson 705-742-2147 519-848-5493 613-477-1131 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Eastern Valley North Eastern St. Clair DUNDAS SUDBURY LAMBTON Warren Schneckenburger Mack Emiry Chad Anderson 613-330-9787 705-865-2249 519-865-1161 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Georgian Central North Western Thames Valley BRUCE RAINY RIVER OXFORD Les Nichols Stefan Szeder Jamie Littlejohn 519-367-2785 807-275-8208 519-762-3433 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Golden Horseshoe Ottawa Rideau NIAGARA SOUTH LANARK OSGA - Dale Connell John Sikkens Peter McLaren 905-386-6507 613-259-3139 OMAFRA - Hugh Berges [email protected] [email protected] University of Guelph - Dr. Robert Corry

OSCIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 13 Join the Conversation! #OSCIA2017 2016 OSCIA Committees

RESEARCH COMMITTEES

Agricultural Wildlife Conflict Working Group Mack Emiry (alternate - Jamie Littlejohn)

Ontario Cereal Committee Les Nichols

Ontario Corn Committee Dale Ketcheson

Ontario Forage Committee Don Oliver

Ontario Soybean & Canola Committee Stuart Wright

Ontario Soil Management Research & Services Committee Mack Emiry

Soil and Water Quality Sub-Committee Dale Ketcheson

Waste Utilization Sub-Committee Chad Anderson

Field Crops Sub-Committee Stefan Szeder

Ontario Weed Committee Warren Schneckenburger

OSCIA STANDING COMMITTEES

Canadian Certified Crop Advisors Association Gord Green

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show John Sikkens

Canadian Forage and Grassland Association Chad Anderson (alternate - Stuart Wright)

Farm and Food Care Les Nichols

Ontario Agri-Food Education - now AgScape Jamie Littlejohn

Ontario Agri-Food Technologies Peter McLaren

Ontario Field Crops Research Coalition Les Nichols

Ontario Forage Council Don Oliver

Soil Conservation Council of Canada Alan Kruszel

OSCIA INTERNAL COMMITTEES

Nominations Committee Alan Kruszel, Gord Green and Mack Emiry

Resolutions Committee Executive, Don Oliver, Dale Ketcheson, and John Sikkens

Finance Committee Executive, Past President (Allan Mol), Beth Sparling

Research Committee Harold Rudy, Ian McDonald, Dale Ketcheson, Don Oliver, and Warren Schneckenburger

Membership Committee Stefan Szeder, Stuart Wright and Mack Emiry

Constitution and Bylaws Executive

Annual Meeting Executive

OSCIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 14 Join the Conversation! #OSCIA2017 ONTARIO SOYBEAN AND CANOLA COMMITTEE Research Committee Reports - Stuart Wright AGRICULTURE/WILDLIFE CONFLICT WORKING The Ontario Soybean and Canola Committee met GROUP - Mack Emiry January 19, 2017 in London for the research reports with about 50 people in attendance. Elroy Cober of AAFC had The Agriculture/Wildlife Conflict Working Group (AWCWG) long-term tillage rotation trials and found while was established by the Ontario Government as a strategy conventional soybeans had slightly higher yields from a to address conflicts between wildlife and agriculture. statistical point of view they were the same as no-till. Mike Two meetings were held in 2016 and issues dealt with Buttenham of GFO gave a sustainability report sending the were: message farmers are being asked to say what they do, do • Wildlife Damage Compensation Program revisions what they say and prove it. The Grain Farmers of Ontario introduced January 1, 2017 establish standard valuations seem to be leaning towards the Sustainable Agriculture province wide for livestock lost to predation. Initiative that has more comfort for end users but are also • Spring Bear Hunt Pilot Project has been extended looking at the Canadian Field Print Initiative. Matt province wide (Wildlife Management Units where bear Czerwinski of GFO talked about the Canadian Field Crop hunt is allowed) until 2020. Research Alliance designed to advance genetic capacity while mentioning cover crops will be a main focus in 2017 • Relaxing Cable Restraints for predator control are now for GFO. Erich Richter of Syngenta said double crop legal to be used in Ontario. soybeans did well in 2016 saying they're more suited to Funding is available from the AWCWG for organizations areas with more than 2900 hu where long-term yields doing research into ways of mitigating wildlife impacts on range from 21-42 bu. Other reports focused on swede crops or animals. midge and clubroot in canola plus Extend and Enlist The next meeting is scheduled for April 2017. soybeans. The following day the Main Committee meeting was held. ONTARIO CEREAL CROPS COMMITTEE - Les Nichols A new Ontario Canola Recommending Committee was The Ontario Cereal Crops Committee met three times in formed in response to a CFIA request to support varieties. 2016 – January, August and October. Meghan Moran was named Canola coordinator. Two new varieties,Pioneer 45m35 and Bayer 5CNO130, were The January meeting reviewed and approved full recommended. The 2016 average Canola yield was 2100 registration for 8 winter wheat varieties, 3 spring wheat lbs, which is right on long-term averages. The soybean varieties and 3 barley varieties and interim registration for yield for 2016 was 46.2 just above the 5-year average of 2 winter wheat varieties. Discussion on rating methods for 45. DON and FDK. Agreed to leave existing FDK ratings and add a DON rating – 1 to 4 range. Sub-committee was The soybean tour for 2017 will be held September 4-15. formed to review proposed revisions to OCCC guidelines as per CFIA review. Gavin Humphreys was acclaimed as ONTARIO SOIL MANAGEMENT RESEARCH & chairman for 2016 and Carl Coleman was elected as vice- SERVICES COMMITTEE - Mack Emiry chairman. Peter Johnson agreed to continue as treasurer The Ontario Soil Management Research & Services and Dave Morris as secretary. Committee (OSMRSC) provides a forum for the exchange The committee met in August to review OCC winter wheat of research information and the coordination of research plot data and draft report. A working committee was efforts on soil management practices in Ontario. created to review plot protocol. Rye to be added to limited Two meetings were held in 2016 -June 22 in Guelph and number of trials as growing interest in rye production as December 14 in Woodstock. Reports were received from new hybrid varieties coming to market. Field Crops, Horticulture Crops and Soil Testing Stuart Wright attended the October meeting where the Laboratories Sub Committees as well as the various spring grain plot results were reviewed. Although the dry government, university and industry member season challenged some plots, the overall results were organizations. good. The Domestic Action Plan for reduction of Phosphorus in Lake Erie was discussed as well as a Strategic Framework ONTARIO CORN COMMITTEE - Dale Ketcheson for Agriculture contribution to this plan. The 4R (Right 2016 was another successful year for the Ontario Corn Source, Right Rate, Right Place, Right Time) Stewardship Trials, despite challenging weather. The intensive Program has the potential to reduce phosphorus transfer management trials, while creating significantly more work to waterways. OSMRSC will continue to support the for various field staff, continue to create lots of interest development and promotion of 4R strategies while inside Ontario and beyond and should continue to evolve. ensuring that these strategies supply a sufficient level of available nutrients for optimum crop production. Pass on your appreciation to your seed suppliers for their continued involvement and visit: www.gocorn.net for all SOIL & WATER QUALITY SUB-COMMITTEE kinds of information on corn growing, including the trials. - Dale Ketcheson ONTARIO FORAGE COMMITTEE - Don Oliver No activity to report. No activity to report. OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 15 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 WASTE UTILIZATION SUB-COMMITTEE - Jamie Littlejohn No activity to report.

FIELD CROPS SUB-COMMITTEE - Stefan Szeder No activity to report. ONTARIO WEED COMMITTEE Discover the - Warren Schneckenburger There was very little activity on this committee this year as mutual difference. far as face to face meetings. A few in person meetings were scheduled and then cancelled. The committee is going through a bit of an identity crisis in the modern connected age but there is a push to breath some new life into it and give it a new mission. Stay tuned. The OWC did have the annual weeds tour held this year in Ontario Mutuals have been insuring farm operations in Harrow ON the morning of July 13, 2016. The Ag Canada this province for over 150 years. Research station was toured and the research on-going We know the special demands of the area and provide was presented. This facility has been working on licensing excellent service and local know-how. new herbicides primarily for the vegetable industry but also new and emerging crops. Herbicide trials for quinoa and We’re proud members of the community and happy amaranth are ongoing with some success. Both of these to support the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement are very challenging to find herbicides as they are Association. extremely closely related to Lambs Quarters and Pigweed. At seedling stage the crops and the weeds are almost indistinguishable. As a summer student chimed in “often Find your Mutual at the only way to figure out what is what, is the quinoa is www.OntarioMutuals.com growing in rows.” The research station has also made huge strides for the seed corn industry recently adding several corn herbicides to seed production labels by performing the research to determine safe rates. Prior to this seed corn producers had very little options. An interesting non-weeds related plot we studied was a collaborative plot with University of Lethbridge on their Triticale breeding program. New varieties have been created in Alberta and they are showing huge yield potential for the Ontario growing conditions. The emphasis of the breeding program is to improve the milling quality of Triticale (traditionally poor) to make it a viable alternative to wheat while also having high volume feed potential. A few of the plots had been taken off in the 150+bpa range and double crop corn had been planted. Wouldn’t that be nice! Agriculture Counts. People Count.

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OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 16 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 Thank you to the COFS Planning Committee, the Standing Committee Reports numerous volunteers who help set everything up before the show opens, and to OMAFRA and OSCIA staff who put CANADIAN CERTIFIED CROP ADVISOR ASSOCIATION a great exhibit together each year. - Gord Green The Certified Crop Advisor Board met twice this past year to direct the activities of the association. An annual meeting was also held in January where excellent speakers were brought in from all across the continent. CCAs must earn 40 Continuing Education Credits (CEU) every 2 years to ensure they are up to date with all the new technologies and information. Their annual meeting is an excellent place to earn some of these credits. CANADIAN FORAGE & GRASSLAND ASSOCIATION This past year the 4R Nutrient Specialty was launched. - Chad Anderson CCAs must write and pass an exam to demonstrate that they are proficient in 4R nutrient knowledge to earn this The CFGA put together another busy year with its first full specialty designation. The 4R Nutrient Strategy goes along year under the direction of both a new chair, Ray with the philosophy that CCAs believe in. Robertson from the Ontario Forage Council, and executive director, Cedric MacLeod, who came in half way through CCAs are also working to refine their role in the verification last year. The two biggest accomplishments were the of the presence of pests for the neonic regulations. export missions (4 in total) and a well-run annual general CCAs have also been doing Farmland Health Check Ups meeting and conference in Winnipeg in November. for the Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Program. The mission trips included a trip to Asia with a nutritionist CCAs have been doing their part in participating on various along to explain the high quality of Canadian forages and committees to do with soil health and phosphorus loss the World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin. The AGM included a from our agricultural lands. day trip tour of different research facilities now under the guidance of the Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiative; there CANADA’S OUTDOOR FARM SHOW - Cathy Dibble has been lots of coverage of the three day event including many articles in Ontario Farmer. Cover crops, residue management, a rainfall simulator, non-traditional crops and much more: so many ideas I again co-chaired the environment committee with Henry showcased at the OSCIA/OMAFRA demonstration site at Nelson from Manitoba Forage and Grassland. We have Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in 2016. The plots, displays, been involved with a number of pollinator projects along information and staff from various departments both within with some species at risk work. We just started moving the Ministry and from OSCIA always bring many show forward on getting the United Nations to designate 2021 as visitors to the site each year. the year of rangelands and maybe even get Canada to acknowledge a day for forage and grasslands. We are also Once again, OSCIA and Sylvite Agri Services partnered entering into a large carbon project looking at management together to offer members a free breakfast while at the factors and measuring parameters for carbon show. This year, 764 members stopped by the tent to enjoy sequestration with forage and grassland acres. peameal bacon on a bun, juice and coffee before touring the plots and meeting with those staffing the displays. This It has been a wonderful experience being involved with this event encourages early morning traffic at the site, and organization the last few years, an organization which is getting the day off to a great start is appreciated by all. We powerfully passionate about forages. I would like to thank owe Sylvite a huge thanks for their continued support of the board for allowing me this opportunity. this event each year, and to their staff who provide some great displays for the tent as well. We tried a new approach this year, with one large tent that FARM & FOOD CARE - ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY housed both the breakfast event and all the displays and COMMITTEE - Les Nichols activities, which really worked well and was met with many positive comments. Interactive activities encouraged Farm & Food Care (F&FC) Ontario had a very busy year visitors to our tent to stop at all the displays and plots to and very much a year of transition. In January, Tracy collect stamps in order to get some great program swag – Hussey was hired as Executive Director for F&FC Ontario everybody loves free stuff and plenty of people hunted up replacing Crystal Mackay who has stepped up to Executive and down the site so they could get their shirts, gloves or Director of F&FC Canada. Tracy has a background in food measuring tapes! services as a dietitian. These skills have proven very beneficial in connecting with the “food and health care OSCIA program staff fielded plenty of questions about industry”. F&FC held some very well attended and well funding opportunities through the many programs that received farm tours for professional dietitians and food OSCIA delivers, while Association staff highlighted the bloggers in 2016. many aspects that OSCIA is involved in, promoted many ongoing field projects, and encouraged new members to The boards of F&FC Ontario, Saskatchewan and Canada, join. have spent considerable time this year on strategic planning to establish a clear vision and goals of the F&FC OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 22 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 organizations and to clarify their financial and member production. The grants have generated over $6.8M in responsibilities. Fine tuning this structure will continue to approved funding. Significant cash and in-kind leverage is be a priority for 2017. required for all grants. Rapid Response to Research F&FC hosted a very well attended “Agricultural Water & Needs is another program available. These are up to Nutrient Professionals Community of Practice” meeting in $20,000 paid on completion. Eight projects have been April with an impressive lineup of presenters on topics approved in the last year with results pending. Like the related to soil health, farm drainage, 4R nutrient other rapid response programs a decision is given within management, etc. 48 hours. Information on all the programs is available on the website: www.oaft.org. F&FC Ontario AGM & Conference was held on April 13 with 3 new directors elected to the board. Other key commitments are: the Farm, Food and Beyond working group; meetings with key ministries; a Life Science The “Public Trust Summit” in Ottawa in May officially Mission to Israel; the Bio World Congress and the work launched the Canadian Center of Food Integrity by F&FC toward forming Ontario Precision Agri-food Group. With all Canada. This was a sold out event with 200+ attendees the precision equipment available and all the information from across Canada and the USA. A number of excellent coming from the systems, it is a major effort to validate presentations on the challenges of educating our everything. This could be a major step forward for all consumers on where their food comes from, including a concerned for making informed decisions. consumer panel discussing food purchasing habits. It was shockingly clear that we have a lot of work to do in ONTARIO FIELD CROP RESEARCH COALITION educating our consumers! - Les Nichols F&FC held another very successful “Breakfast on the No activity to report. Farm” in June at an Oxford County dairy farm and also a “Breakfast from the Farm” in conjunction with Waterloo Oktoberfest. ONTARIO FORAGE COUNCIL - Don Oliver F&FC also facilitated the “Soil Health Road Show” and The Ontario Forage Council is comprised of directors Water Smart Project in 2016. representing seed companies, Ag Businesses related to forages, farm organizations, UofG, and OMAFRA. Ray ONTARIO AGRI-FOOD EDUCATION - Jamie Littlejohn Robertson is the Manager and the OFC operates from the Grey Ag. Centre. The purpose of the OFC is to promote This past June, after a quarter century of service to school forages in the Province of Ontario as well as look for and the agri-food industry, Ontario Agri-Food Education research opportunities when money is available. (OAFE) evolved with a new name, AgScape and a new logo. The new logo is to reflect progress and a vision for In the past year the OFC has been busy with participation tomorrow. in the Dairy Expo, where the winners of the Milk Maker competition were announced. This is continuing with AgScape will demonstrate how agriculture and food will fit support from the feed labs and a number of the ag. within tomorrow's classroom, how students will better businesses across the province. In July Forage Expo days understand where their food comes from and see the were held east and west of the 400. Both days attracted a potential in agriculture and food careers. large number of people, giving them the opportunity to see The board of directors comments are that the new "logo forage harvesting machinery from a number of companies represents the synergy among all the diverse elements of being demonstrated in the field. It also gave people the production agriculture and that the new brand will signal a chance to speak to industry representatives and their more modern and relevant presence to agriculture and friends and neighbors. food education.” Forage Focus was held in Shakespeare and Winchester OSCIA wishes them well. with Eric Young from the Miner Institute being the main speaker both days. These were well attended events, with ONTARIO AGRI-FOOD TECHNOLOGIES plenty of information to take away. - Peter McLaren The OFC’s newsletter “ Think Green” is put out twice a year with articles related to forage production, storage, 2016 was another busy year with the rapid response to preservation, and feeding. On the OFC website there is a business grants. Forty-nine trips were subsidized and Hay Listing site where buyers and sellers can post hay for completed with an additional 8 approved. These trips have sale or hay needed for their farm. For lots more information generated $11.6M in direct sales to the various companies go to the OFC website and explore. with an additional $75M in potential sales. A lot of these are repeat annual sales, so they are in addition to successes of past years. The Game Changers in Agriculture video series is now up to 62 to date with 4 more in production. These can be found at www.oaftgamechangers.ca website. Ten Capacity Building project grant writing proposals have been approved from September 2015-2016. These are up to $10,000 to write a proposal to access funds from other sources, carry out development of new products or improved procedures of

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 23 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 SOIL CONSERVATION COUNCIL OF CANADA - Alan Kruszel The Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC) is the face and voice of soil conservation in Canada. It is a national, non-government, independent organization, formed in 1987, to provide a non-partisan public forum to speak and act at the national level for soil conservation. National Soil Conservation Week is April 16 to the 22, 2017. Please take time during this week to think about what you could be doing to help conserve our soil resources! Whether it’s switching to no-till planting, trying some cover crops or even one less pass with the cultivator, these things can make a difference! 2016 was very busy for SCCC. We had meetings with folks at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), attended several consultations on the next policy framework and were active members of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops (CRSC). On behalf of the CRSC, the Council held a Conservation Practitioner’s Meeting back in April, the result of which was a shared vision for the agricultural landscape. This shared vision was unveiled at the Grow Canada Conference in Ottawa in December. Please visit the CRSC website to read more: http:// www.sustainablecrops.ca/images/2016FallRT/ WG_VisionStatement_CRSC.pdf Also in 2016, the Council brought together partners in Atlantic Canada to host a regional soil health conference, Atlantic Soils 2016, held in Moncton in mid-November. Over 130 folks from across all 4 Atlantic provinces attended this 1 day event to hear some great expert speakers talk about the physical, chemical and biological aspects of soil health. Each speaker was followed by a “top producer” panel, detailing some of the great work they are doing on their farms to enhance soil health. Also in December, I was invited on behalf of SCCC to speak at the Global Soil Security Summit in Paris, France. This 2 day conference brought together over 100 people from around the world to discuss various aspects of soil security, highlight some of the work going on towards achieving better soil security and to identify threats to a secure soil resource. My presentation outlined some of the issues facing Canadian producers such as soil degradation and effects of urban sprawl. I also emphasized some of the more positive developments, like the importance being placed on soil in the next policy framework, the surge in the adoption of cover crops and the development of Ontario’s Soil Strategy. Immediately following the Grow Canada Conference in early December, SCCC held its AGM. I was elected as Chair while Tim Nerbas, Saskatchewan was elected Vice- Chair. Other members of the board are Paul Thoroughgood (SK), Don Lobb (ON), Kier Miller (NB) and Clyde Graham (Fertilizer Canada). Please mark August 22 - 23, 2017 on your calendars for our 2nd National Soil Summit, this year taking place in Guelph! A great line-up of tours and speakers are planned, so make sure to keep checking our website - soilcc.ca for the latest updates and to register for this exciting conference!

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 24 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 Internal Committee Report

OSCIA RESEARCH COMMITTEE - Don Oliver, Dale Ketcheson, and Warren Schneckenburger

The research committee is made up of Provincial Directors with support from OSCIA staff as well as Dr. Ian McDonald, OMAFRA. These priorities play a valuable role in directing where our research efforts should be focused. OSCIA sits on many committees and are approached frequently to help with funding and otherwise assist in various research efforts. Our resources are limited so the research priorities help direct our efforts to where they will be most effective while addressing the interests of you, our members.

Role of OSCIA Research Committee: ✓ Monitor similar organizations’ research priorities such as the Ontario Field Crop Research Coalition and Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO); ✓ Assist in connecting partners for research collaboration and provide administrative services where suitable; ✓ Monitor on-going research progress and work with partners to enhance research in areas where research is deficient; ✓ Identify several priorities as highlighted by membership input; ✓ Identify and pursue leading-edge research, demonstrating ownership by direct involvement of staff and directors. Examples include: ‣ OSCIA grants supported in part by OMAFRA; ‣ OMAFRA field staff are excellent examples of direct collaboration; ‣ Great Lakes (e.g. western Lake Erie) research on soluble phosphorus; ✓ Help fill the gaps. OSCIA’s Research Committee is to: ‣ Report at least annually to the full board at the summer meeting in preparation for the fall/winter meetings; ‣ Meet with other industry partners (e.g. GFO, Ontario Forage Council, etc.) to discuss common research interests and collaboration opportunities;

Purpose of OSCIA Priorities: ✓ To have a paper approved by the OSCIA Board to prioritize the research topics; ✓ Send priorities to the OMAFRA Research Advisory Network; ✓ Focus on agronomy and nutrient utilization but also support areas that could be augmented; ✓ Provide input through strong representation on research committees.

OSCIA Research Priorities Ranked to Include:

i. Long-term soil health and biological interactions of soil, including additives to enhance crop production. ii. Residue and tillage management for crop production, soil erosion control, and reduction of nutrient loss from fields. iii. Economics and agronomics of emerging cropping systems and new crop development, especially related to adaptation to climate change and provincial cap and trade policy. iv. Manure and municipal bio-products such as green bin materials and biosolids. v. Bio-economy impacts, such as from biomass production, residue management and biosolids application as it relates to soil management.

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 25 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 2016 OSCIA Provincial Staff

Back Row (Left to Right): Christine Schmalz, Laura Van Vliet, John Laidlaw, Dmitry Balobanov, Brian Lloyd, Andrew Graham, Harold Rudy, Blair Hughes, Marianne Stewart, and Margaret Stewart Front Row (Left to Right): Amber Van De Peer, Cobi Sharpe, Hayley Paquette, Barb Caswell, Amie Melnychuk, Rebecca Hodges, Diane Zappacosta, Amy Tenbult, Karen Jacobs, Rekha Narayanaswamy, and Sara-Lin Barron

2016-2017 Provincial Staff Roles EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Andrew Graham PROGRAM DELIVERY EXECUTIVE OFFICER of Program Manager John Laidlaw RESEARCH and BUSINESS Program Coordinator Barbara Caswell DEVELOPMENT Harold Rudy Programs Assistant Diane Zappacosta ASSOCIATION Programs Assistant Sara Lin Barron Office Supervisor Margaret Stewart Executive Assistant Amber Van De Peer Environmental Programs Manager Christine Schmalz FINANCE Environmental Outreach Chief Financial Officer Julie Henderson Specialist Karen Jacobs Senior Financial Officer Michaela Long Environmental Programs Financial Officer Shawna Brown Assistant Amy Tenbult Accounts Clerk Kathleen Pentland Programs Assistant Hayley Paquette Programs Assistant Laura Van Vilet INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Communications Specialist Marianne Stewart IT Manager Blair Hughes Program Analyst Brad Carberry Business Analyst Amie Melnychuk Program Analyst Jen Hoesen Web Developer Brian Lloyd Quality Assurance Specialist Rekha Narayanaswamy Application Developer Dmitry Balobanov

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 26 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 The 2016 Species At Risk Farm Incentive Program OSCIA Staff Reports (SARFIP), funded by Environment Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, supported over OSCIA gratefully acknowledges project and 100 projects spread across 27 counties. SAR Watch, a voluntary aspect of the program that linked interested program support received from the applicants with a biologist, continued to be a popular part following in 2016-2017: of the program. The Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands Agricultural Adaptation Council (SARPAL) program saw the launch of two separate cost- share programs in 2016. The Grassland Stewardship Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Program opened in late June 2016, focused on supporting Environment and Climate Change Canada the bobolink and other grassland birds through funding for hay and pasture BMPs. The BadgerWay Program, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs launched in November 2016, focused on supporting (OMAFRA) badgers in southwestern Ontario through funding for habitat creation activities such as planting windbreaks, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry buffer strips, and grassland areas. Both of these programs are piloting the use of Conservation Agreements signed between participating producers and Environment and Climate Change Canada. Be sure to watch for increasing ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS activity in 2017. Species at Risk Partnerships on Karen Jacobs, Environmental Outreach Specialist Agricultural Lands is funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2016 has been a busy year for the environmental programming side of OSCIA. The successful delivery of the Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (GLASI) and the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program (SARFIP) has continued. This past year also saw the addition of two new programs: The Species at Risk Partnerships of Agricultural Lands (SARPAL) and the Soil Health Improvement Program (SHIP). GLASI, financially supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, through Growing Forward 2, has continued on the strong momentum of previous years. Highlights from 2016 include: • The overwhelming success, and rapidly allocated budget of the 2016 Farmland Health Incentive Program (FHIP) • Early launch of the 2017 FHIP, allowing producers to receive confirmation of funding early in 2017 GROWING FORWARD 2 PROGRAM • Steady increases in participation of the Farmland Health John Laidlaw, Program Manager Check-Up (FHCU), building on the participation of local Certified Crop Advisors (CCA) The fourth year of Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a Federal/ • Successful establishment of BMP and water quality Provincial/Territorial initiative, is almost complete. There monitoring networks as part of the Priority were no major changes to the program in Year 4, but we Subwatershed Project settled into the enhancements made to the program in Year 3. The two main aspects of the program are the • A variety of outreach efforts are taking place on the educational workshops and the cost-share program. topics of soil health, water quality and/or pollinator health through partnerships with several additional The number of applications for cost-share was up highly qualified partners. considerably, over 30%, in Year 4 from Year 3. Even with the number of applications on the rise, the caps introduced The FHCU/FHIP framework was expanded into the Lake in Year 3 have allowed us to keep the high approval rates Simcoe area with support of Environment and Climate seen in Year 3. We were still able to approve two out of Change Canada. Producers in the Lake Simcoe, three applications received. The majority of applications Nottawasaga, or South-eastern Georgian Bay watersheds that were declined were ineligible projects or incomplete had the opportunity to work with a CCA to complete a Soil applications. To help producers plan for their projects and or a Muck Soil Health Check-Up, then to apply for financial give more time for completion, the first intake for Year 4 support to implement selected BMPs. This program was in February, which facilitated the decision letters going supported several projects, all focused on improving soil out in early May. This met with great success and will be health or water quality. repeated again with the first intake of Year 5 also being in February. OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 27 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 A series of webinars were held in English and French in INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY conjunction with each intake to help producers with the Blair Hughes, IT Manager and Database Developer application process. Producers were given a rundown of the process and given a demonstration of submitting an Information is key to any decision-making process. online application. OSCIA’s cost-share reviewers work hard to process A new best management practice (BMP) was added under applications and claims in a timely manner, and ensure Focus Area D - Animal and Plant Health for Year 5 of the that eligible producers get all of the funding for which they program. The new BMP is D.9 - Preventing access from qualify. The IT department has taken great strides this year wildlife, pests and rodents. Projects will focus on to make more of that information available in a useful way modifications to production areas and facilities to prevent to our reviewers and managers to better facilitate the introduction and spread of diseases and pests. decision-making process. The ability to not only use pre- We have a full complement of 5 Regional Program Leads, built reports, but also design and save their own reports, each with two Workshop Leaders for 10 Workshop will improve the level of access that our cost-share Leaders across the province. There is also one dedicated reviewers and program managers have to the information Project Inspector, although the Workshop Leaders and we collect. IT will still be involved when more advanced Regional Program Leads do some project inspections as data retrievals are required, but this new system puts more well. information on-demand for the decision-makers at OSCIA. Attendance at workshops has remained strong for those As our data management systems have expanded and workshops that are required for cost-share, namely become more sophisticated over the last few years, the Growing Your Farm Profits, Environmental Farm Plan and time it takes to test those applications has also grown. Biosecurity. The Biosecurity workshops have been so Given the quick pace of change at OSCIA it is often very successful that the number of workshops offered in Year 4 difficult to provide adequate time for full system testing was doubled from Year 3. Food Safety is offered as either whenever modifications are made. With that in mind, the IT a workshop or a series of one-hour webinars. The department hired an expert in automated testing to build a webinars have shown moderate uptake, likely due to their set of testing scripts for each of our custom applications convenience. Attracting attendees has been more of a that allows us to run a broad range of tests at the push of a challenge for the Traceability workshops and Food Safety button. We will now be able to run diagnostics on the entire workshops, where the workshops provide merit to cost- application at the moment a change is made, rather than share applications, but are not required to apply. waiting for a traditional testing resource that may or may not identify the problem. In some cases, the problem may As we move into the final year for GF2, all projects must not be evident on the screen or seemingly relevant to the be completed by December 15, 2017 with claim submitted change being tested and so it could remain unnoticed. This no later than January 15, 2018. Extensions cannot be will allow our traditional testers to focus more on “fit and granted. Therefore, producers will not have as much time finish” rather than the “nuts and bolts” of the application to in Year 5 to get their projects completed. The last intake in ensure that our business rules are being satisfied. Year 5 will be May 12 - June 1, 2018. When it comes to information security, you can never have too much but you also want to ensure that you have enough. OSCIA recently hired an external company to test the security of our online data systems (OntarioPrograms.net and our internal data management system) to ensure that adequate measures are in place regarding the security of the information they contain. We Proudly helping expect to receive an initial report by the end of January and a follow-up report a few months later, if deemed OSCIA secure necessary. Finally, all of the information that we rely on to make our the future of family decisions has to reside somewhere and OSCIA has had the benefit of running off of a durable system for a great farming in Ontario number of years. That said, the time has come to upgrade and advance those systems to ensure both the stability ... for over 20 years! and security of our information for years to come. The Executive Committee has granted approval of the proposed changes, and we will soon begin a strategic replacement of equipment. This is an exciting project that will ultimately impact everyone working for OSCIA.

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OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 28 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 RESEARCH AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT confirmed that the chemical Triclosan, one of the most Harold Rudy, Executive Officer commonly used antimicrobials in personal health care products, such as soaps, shampoos and other sanitation Sustainable Farm and Food Initiative (SFFI) goods, does not pose a threat in Ontario to the food chain or the environment. Triclosan is not water-soluble Good progress is being made on the complex topic of with 98% of the product removed along with biosolids at sustainable farms and food. OSCIA is very engaged with sewage treatment plants. industry leaders, meeting monthly to discuss a strategy toward harmonization and collaboration with many industry 3. BMP Verification partners. Synthesis Agri-Food Network and Orion Global OMAFRA provides funding, for verification of Best Business Solutions have been retained to build consensus Management Practices (BMPs). OMAFRA extension for a practical and transparent process across the value staff lead and coordinate the projects. Here is a list of 3 chain. new projects in 2016 administered by OSCIA, plus (d.) At the centre of our efforts is experience and the technical the now completed Biomass Combustion Emissions content of both the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) and project: Growing Your Farm Profits (GYFP). Collectively, producers a) Soil Health and Remediation – Adam Hayes are challenged to adopt best practices under the broad themes of People, Planet and Profit. OSCIA is also a b) N Testing Procedures in Labs; Evaluation of 360 member of the Canadian Round Table for Sustainable SOILSCAN – Ian McDonald Crops where a national perspective is gained. Consistency c) 4 R Stewardship Practices with Lystegro & Digestate among regions across Canada will be essential for – Christine Brown markets within and external to Canada. Efforts are also d) Biomass Combustion Emissions – Terrence Sauve underway to establish minimum standards for a national • Now completed, a key message from the research EFP. When GF2 comes to a close in March 2018, it is is: To minimize emissions while burning various anticipated that these efforts will be very constructive for biomass products, the boiler will operate at the next policy framework. Stay up to date on the SFFI maximum efficiency using oxygen sensors with here: http://www.sustainablefarms.ca draft controls. Surplus heat is stored in a water reservoir. A thermostat disperses heat as required Soil Health Initiatives for a greenhouse or building from the water Soil health remains OSCIA’s top research priority. We reservoir. continue to seek opportunities to support projects related to this priority. 4. OSCIA Sustainability Fund 1. Soil Monitoring Laboratory – First of its Kind in North In 2014, OSCIA established the Soil and Crop America Sustainability Fund to provide opportunity for new The Elora Research Farm, operated by the University of investment in projects specifically focused on soil health Guelph, is now home to a new soil monitoring research and development. There was an overwhelming laboratory. This laboratory is designed to better mimic response by Past-Presidents, Local/Regional field conditions, yet contain highly sophisticated Associations, members and other supporters of OSCIA, monitoring equipment. There are 18 soil columns, half of resulting in over $190,000 of new funds committed to the columns containing Elora Silt Loam and the other this cause. Two Soil Health Graduate Scholarships of half containing Fox Sand, transported intact from a $10,000 each have now been given out, the first in 2015 research farm near Cambridge. Each soil column is one to Jaclyn Clark for her research on inter-seeding cover meter wide by 1.5 meters deep and contains multiple crops into standing corn, and 2016 to Jordan Graham sensors with data loggers for sampling soil water, for his research examining the influence of biomass nutrients and greenhouse gases at various depths. Two crops such as switchgrass and miscanthus on soil cropping systems will be compared, the first as a organic carbon with Ontario soils. Guidelines have also conventional corn, soy, soy rotation commonly seen in been developed for a portion of these funds held southern Ontario. The second (Perennially Enhanced internally by OSCIA to be dedicated to provincially Rotation or PER) will include winter wheat with the corn, significant projects. soy rotation in addition to cover crops and inter-seeded crops to provide green vegetation throughout as much Controlled Drainage of the year as possible so the soil is never left bare. Funded by AAFC’s Agri-Risk program, OSCIA has I serve on the Advisory Committee for this initiative and partnered with University of Ottawa to support and expand OSCIA has specific duties and funds to support the research and outreach with controlled drainage. Knowledge Translation and Transfer (outreach). Research has confirmed corn yield can be increased up to 25% where controlled drainage was used effectively during 2. Effects of Triclosan on Soil/Plant Health drought. A new tool is being developed by a team at U. of One of OSCIA’s first graduate research scholarships Ottawa to assist farmers and extension staff, to better was funded as a results of surplus funds remaining after predict where controlled tile drainage is feasible. It works the OSCIA 2009 summer meeting hosted by then 1st best in slopes not exceeding 2%. Vice-President Barry Hill. Led by University of Guelph graduate student René Sahba Shahmohamadloo under the supervision of scientist Dr. Paul Sibley, research OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 29 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 On-Farm Research Network Strategic Planning in the Seed Industry In June, 2016, OSCIA in cooperation with Grain Farmers of OSCIA provides administrative support to the Ontario Seed Ontario, OMAFRA and U. of G. invited the Iowa On-Farm Growers’ Association (OSGA), a chapter of the Canadian Network to a workshop to explore opportunities from their Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA). CSGA is currently experiences to improve Ontario’s on-farm research. undergoing a strategic review. In addition, a strategic Additional consultation has taken place with similar review entitled Seed Synergy is underway encompassing organizations in Nebraska and Illinois to learn about multiple partners including CSGA, Canadian Seed Trade multiple models for on-farm research. For Ontario, the goal Association, Canadian Seed Institute, Canadian Food would be to better coordinate, capture data, conduct Inspection Agency, Commercial Seed Analysts of Canada, analysis, and report findings, utilizing advancements in Crop Life, and Canadian Plant Technology Agency. precision ag technology and a long-term data base. This Working together, these agencies plan to communicate concept is in very early discussion stages. with a much stronger voice on behalf of the seed industry.

Seed Dust Research OSCIA’s 30 Year History Three years of research, led by Dr. Art Schaafsma at the ‘The Soil Fixers’ (Are they Human, Biological or Ridgetown campus of the University of Guelph, has Extraterrestrial?) is a book currently under development to confirmed that reducing seed treatment dust from planters be completed some time in 2018. The publication will by 90% would eliminate most seed treatment chemical feature some of the stories, programs and projects of escapes into the surrounding environment. Five specific OSCIA over the past 30 years. recommendations evolved from this research: ensure pesticides stay on the seed by using approved fluency agents and polymers; avoid abrasive seed lubricants; filter and redirect planter exhaust dust into the soil; ensure clean air flows through the vacuum intakes, and; practice conservation tillage to minimize soil movement”. Soil and Crop Sustainability Fund Thank you to the Founding Partners who launched OSCIA’s Soil and Crop Sustainability Fund in 2014. This fund provides the opportunity for new investment in projects specifically focused on soil health research and development. There was an overwhelming response by our past-presidents, local/regional associations, members and other supporters of OSCIA, resulting in over $190,000 of funds initially being committed to this worthy cause. The Sustainability Fund is divided into two areas: 1. Soil Health Graduate Scholarship - in partnership with the University of Guelph • This is an annual scholarship of $10,000/year to applied, leading edge research on soil health • The award recipients’ research focus and research results will be profiled by OSCIA through media, newsletters and website Meet our Soil Health Scholarship winners for 2015 & 2016

Our first $10,000 ‘Soil Health Our second ’Soil Health Graduate Graduate Scholarship’ was awarded Scholarship’ was awarded to to Jaclyn Clark, who is researching Jordan Graham, who will be inter-seeding cover crops into researching the influence of standing corn at the University of herbaceous biomass crops, such Guelph. as switchgrass and miscanthus on Jaclyn is working under the soil organic carbon (SOC) levels in supervision of Dr. Bill Deen. soil across Ontario. Jordan is working under the supervision of Dr. Paul Voroney & Dr. Naresh Thevathasan.

2. OSCIA Internal Fund • Funding received from our local/regional associations and other sources where tax receipt is not required • Funding is awarded judiciously to projects targeted to research and development related to OSCIA’s mandate, initially focused on soil health. • Current commitment is to Tier Two grants. Other ideas are under consideration by the Executive Committee.

The door is always open for donating to the Fund. Details are provided at: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/soil-and-crop-sustainability-fund/

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 30 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 Regional Communication Coordinator Reports

Left to Right: Janice Janiec (GHSCIA), Neil Moore (East Central & Quinte), Ray Robertson (Georgian Central), Cathy Dibble (TVSCIA & Lead RCC), Miranda van den Berg (NWOSCIA), Tracy Myers (EVSCIA), Barb Keith-Badour (OROSCIA), Mary Feldskov (Heartland), and Brittany Roka (NEOSCIA) (*Absent - Krista Gladstone (St. Clair))

REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR LEAD option is rapidly becoming a popular option for - Cathy Dibble membership renewals and many events as well. Many of the RCCs host regional websites, Twitter and 519-463-9737; [email protected] Facebook accounts to take advantage of the ever- changing technologies that are becoming the most popular 2016 proved to be a very busy year for the Regional and frequently used methods of communication. Communication Coordinator team! We welcomed four new additions to the group this past year: Miranda van den Thanks to all of the RCC team, for your hard work, Berg in the Northwest, Stephanie Vanthof in the Northeast, dedication and determination; you are an incredibly Mary Feldskov in Heartland and Barb Keith-Badour in the enthusiastic, entertaining group! I certainly enjoy working Ottawa-Rideau Region. We wish former North Eastern with you and the support you give me as well! SCIA Coordinator, Brittany Roka, best of luck in her new role as the Association Development Advisor and hope to work closely with her in all the regions across the province to strengthen OSCIA in many areas. We are thrilled the latest OSCIA member benefit, discounts on soil analyses, will be continue to be available to members throughout 2017 as well. Thank you to the labs participating in this program! This idea was brought forward from suggestions from the St. Clair Region through their Regional Communication Coordinator, and we are pleased to report that well over 100 members have taken advantage of this program to date. Working with our provincial directors, regional boards and the local associations, RCCs provide an important link towards sharing ideas and information, and developing and distributing regional newsletters at least four times each year. Many RCCs are also very active in key regional events including Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, FarmSmart events, the Southwest Ag Conference, the East Central Farm Show and many more. Assisting county associations to maintain the electronic membership database across a large part of the province is another part of what we do, and encourage online renewals and payments to simplify the process for members who wish to go this route. The online payment

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 31 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 EAST CENTRAL SCIA - Neil Moore EASTERN VALLEY SCIA - Tracy Myers (Durham, Haliburton, Peterborough, Victoria, York) (Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott, Russell, Stormont) 705-324-2594; [email protected] 613-874-1046; [email protected]

The ECSCIA began about 1964 and now includes Durham The Eastern Valley Soil and Crop Improvement Association Region plus Hope Township from Northumberland County, is comprised of five counties: Stormont, Dundas, Peterborough, and Victoria (City of Kawartha Lakes) and Glengarry, Prescott and Russell. Currently these counties Haliburton Counties;York Region was added in 2001. have a combined membership of 381 which includes those I promoted and helped with the 36th Annual East Central individuals who receive the quarterly newsletter Breaking Farm Show held March 2,3 2016 in the Commonwealth Ground. While each of the five counties actively participate Exhibition Building, Lindsay Fairgrounds. The 2017 East in their own activities, there has been increased interest in Central Farm Show will be March 8 - 9, 2017. moving forward with more regional activities which would ultimately involve a larger number of the membership. Our The County Soil and Crop Improvement Association business sponsors are also actively engaged in regional memberships were promoted and 201 County and local activities. memberships sold (12 Quinte and 189 East Central) – up from last year. In 2016 Eastern Valley organized and offered its membership the opportunity to participate in a regional ECSCIA uses some of the Farm Show proceeds to provide workshop which was thoroughly enjoyed. A “Bringing your $1,000 Scholarships for up to 4 recipients each year (6 for soil to life” workshop was offered which enabled those 2014, and 2015), and up to $1,100 for County SCIA and attending to gain a broader knowledge of the importance of 4-H clubs in the East Central area to assist with projects. soil nutrients and management. Odette Ménard and Dean This year’s projects: Durham East 4-H bus trip; breakfast Glenney, two renowned specialists in this field, spoke and for participants at Region 4-H show; and 4-H field crops engaged the audience in areas ranging from soil club $40 per member sponsor (two clubs in Peterborough, conservation techniques to fence row farming. Individuals one in Durham and one in Victoria) and the region 3 attending walked away with a greater knowledge and Judge-It – total $14,725. Also for the Junior Farmer 100 appreciation of innovative techniques available to them to celebration $800, farm safety $500, and a commitment of enhance and maximize their soil management. $30,000 to a 1910 display barn at Lang Pioneer Village. Member SCIA project support of $595.63. Eastern Valley directors are continually working closely with our OMAFRA Specialists, who are an important part of I sent out 4 newsletters in 2016. These were sent to 442 our regional team and support us in many ways. Our ECSCIA members for 2016 (435 in 2015, 457 in 2014, 441 Provincial Director, Warren Schneckenburger, is a great in 2013, 434 in 2012, 437 in 2011, 407 in 2010, 416 in asset to our region and provides us with much support as 2009, 363 in 2008, 335 in 2007, 335 in 2006, 295 in 2005, well. 282 in 2004, 346 in 2003, 377 in 2002, 328 members in 2001). The 64% via email is more than the 63% in 2015, During 2016, as Regional Communications Coordinator, I 56% in 2014, 55% in 2013 and 2012, 51% in 2011, 47% in was also involved in the following: 2010, 2009 and 2008, 46% in 2007, 45% in 2006 and 42% • Communicating with the directorship of EVSCIA, on a in 2005. regular basis, to overview the past year’s successes and to continue with our mandate of creating a more Twenty-four newsletter sponsors are contributing $100/ yr visible regional association that will continue to work each and this covers postage and extra costs as the with the five counties. printed copy is all colour now. The East Central/Quinte • SCIA web site hosts newsletters, coming events, project Promoted county annual meetings, met with information, and links updated to new information. membership and attended county director meetings to gain valuable input that would aid in future planning. Provincial Soil and Crop Conferences, Diagnostic Days, • Assisted with the promotion of Canada’s Outdoor Farm and Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show information is included Show. Provided information to membership within in coming events. GF2 promotion is included in the EVSCIA. newsletters. • Produced four issues of the regional newsletter, I calculated weather data from 24 co-operators in the Breaking Ground, with OSCIA News and OMAFRA Crop member counties and presented the data in newsletters Talk. and as part an annual report for the County annual • Assisted with recruitment of membership as well as meetings. maintaining a master membership list from information I attended County annual meetings, presented updates, provided by the local associations. and attended most of the County director meetings. • Attended 2016 Provincial Annual Meeting as well as the I promoted summer tours or twilight crop meetings hosted Regional Communication Coordinator (RCC) summer by County associations in the East Central Region training session. including York SCIA “Spring Information Shop Meeting” in • Participated in regular conference calls with other April; “BBQ/Information Evening” in August; “Cover Crop RCCs. Tour” in September; Durham SCIA “Spring Information • Worked closely with several EFP/GYFP coordinators to Shop Meeting” in March; Peterborough SCIA “Bus Tour” in ensure that membership of Eastern Valley were aware August, and the Victoria SCIA “Car Tour” in September.

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 32 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 of upcoming workshops and opportunities available We have seen some great examples during the past few through EFP. years that have worked well within some of the counties in • Investigated new sponsorship potential. Georgian Central Region. If you are looking for new ideas Goals for 2017: to inject some enthusiasm into your county, it may be worth A)Further assist in strengthening the local associations considering some of the following activities. A mystery tour, within EVSCIA crop walks, bus tours, sponsoring a 4-H Forage Masters Competition, sponsor a 4-H Crops Club, invite Agri- B)Secure additional sponsorship to assist in offsetting Business reps to sit on county Soil and Crop board, recruit newsletter costs young directors (with great success), machinery & GPS C)Continue with regional events that would encompass set-up and information days, plus many others. Many of membership within the five counties these activities and others can be replicated in any county D)Participate in additional local, regional and provincial where there is an interest or an opportunity. These ideas activities and projects. can also spark other ideas. It’s amazing what a little On behalf of the Eastern Valley Soil and Crop creativity can do!!!! Improvement Association I would like to express my I want to express appreciation to Andy Van Niekerk for his gratitude to the staff and directors of OSCIA and to support as chair of Georgian Central Region and to Lorie OMAFRA staff who have assisted our region with their Smith for her leadership and support. It is truly valuable input and support. We look forward to the appreciated. ongoing communication in 2017. On behalf of the Georgian Central Region members, directors and Grey Agricultural Services Centre staff, I GEORGIAN CENTRAL SCIA - Ray Robertson want to express appreciation to the OSCIA staff, directors (Bruce, Dufferin, Grey, Simcoe North, Simcoe and to Andrew Barrie and Meghan Moran with OMAFRA, South) who have assisted the Region and I look forward to continued OMAFRA support. 519-986-3756; [email protected]

Sixteen years after the beginning of the region structure being implemented, communications still remain an important function of the Georgian Central Region and member profiles have certainly been a highlight for many readers. Members have expressed very positive comments about it and recognize it as another great way to highlight some positive activity and real success stories within the region. Readers have commented how much they appreciate reading about other farmers in the region Sustainable Soluti ons for a and always pick up some good ideas from it. Greener Future To further support the communications function, we have partnered with agribusiness in the region, and we have been blessed by the very loyal support that we continue to • Beefi ial Reuse of Biosolids achieve. This partnership has supplemented the funding • Adaed Tehologies from OSCIA / OMAFRA to make it possible, and at the • Moile Deateig same time, has enabled us to be seen as a vehicle to assist agribusiness in getting into the farm community, the • Lagoo Cleaig people they do—or hope to do business with. • Cofi ed Spae Et Under the current grant guidelines, Georgian Central has • Teatet Plat B-pass been faced with focusing on education or research, but difficult to do both. Although Georgian Central did not • Vauu ad Haulage Seie organize a major event in 2016, they did make every effort • Custo, Moile Seeig to support and promote the various county events • Poe Teholog – Idust Leade throughout the region. Grey County did extend an invitation to other counties to attend a major crop walk event in Grey which was very well attended. Georgian CANADA’S PREMIER BIOSOLIDS Central teamed up with Grey County Soil and Crop and MANAGEMENT COMPANY Lystec Inc. for a fertility project, using “LYSTEGRO”- a new bio-fertilizer for corn. The research was conducted at five Call 905-544-0444 producer sites in Grey, Dufferin, North Simcoe and Wellington Counties. The results have been very www.terratecenvironmental.com interesting again in the second year of this project. A [email protected] complete presentation will be given at the OSCIA Annual Meeting in early February. One of the original reasons for the creation of the region structure was a greater sharing of ideas between counties. OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 eate is the 33 eogized leade Join thei theConversati opeation! o#OSCIAagm17 of uiipal iosolids pogas Tad the uti lizati o of iosolids o agiultual lads. Teate has poided opehesie tuke osulti g ad otati g seies to uiipaliti es fo lad appliati o, stoage of liuid ad solid iosolids, deateig of iosolids, ad lagoo ad pupig stati o leaouts.

We poide a highl eliale seie that is aked-up a lage fl eet of euipet. Teate is a tusted pate i the poisio of a esseti al seie fo oth uiipaliti es ad idust.

• Lage ad Sall Muiipaliti es • 30 Yeas of Epeiee • Food Poessig Idust • Taied ad Liesed Opeatos • Maufatuig Plats • Ceti fi ed NASM Pla Deelopes • Petoheial • Ceti fi ed Cop Adisos • Pulp ad Pape • Pofessioal Agooists GOLDEN HORSESHOE SCIA - Janice Janiec • Utilized the email ([email protected]) and Twitter (@GHSCIA) accounts to connect members across the (Brant, Haldimand, Halton, Niagara North, Niagara Region South, Norfolk, Peel, Wentworth) • Promoted local and OSCIA events, as well as other 519-856-259; [email protected] events of interest • Implemented a revised newsletter sponsorship program The Golden Horseshoe Regional Soil and Crop • Supported event planning for local associations, Improvement Association (GHSCIA) is a large region, including annual general meetings comprised of the following eight counties/municipal • Provided grant support to the Region and local regions: Brant, Haldimand, Halton, Niagara North, Niagara associations, for project planning/reporting and grant South, Norfolk, Peel and Wentworth. It is a very active reporting/submission of claims region, representing almost 600 members in 2016. • Assisted the Regional Board in review and Many local associations held successful events throughout implementation of the GHSCIA constitution the 2016 year, in addition to governance meetings, • Attended many county-level directors’ meetings, including: supporting governance, event-planning and membership • Spring phosphorus meeting in Brant, touring the activities Brantford Wastewater Treatment Plant • Assisted many counties with constitution renewal/ • Spring grower meeting in Haldimand development and implementation • Spring bus tour for Peel members touring Ingredion, • Participated in RCC conference calls and training Agromart Terminal, Doug Patterson’s and Gord Green’s events. farms The GHSCIA Region is a partner, along with Heartland • Summer twilight meetings, including soil health in Brant, SCIA, in the FarmSmart Agricultural Conferences and the cover crops in Halton, and agronomics in Niagara South regional Board of Directors actively participated in • Annual information and general business meetings. planning, advising and overseeing the YieldSmart, Some of these events used Tier One grants to support the FarmSmart and FarmSmart Expo events in 2016. activities and to help offset the costs of delivering About 400 producers showed up to hear Jerry Hatfield educational information to the local membership. from USDA-ARS in Ames, Iowa, talk about how changes in Agribusiness sponsorship of local events in the Golden a cropping system and management decisions are Horseshoe also remains strong. interconnected and impact yield and performance potential Additionally, Norfolk is currently running three, multi-year at RIM Park, Waterloo. While the topic was generally well- projects on split nitrogen applications, cover crops and received, many attendee comments reflected that more weather using a Tier One grant, and Halton used Tier One detailed information about management decisions would support to create a website for their county level have enhanced the day. Comments are always reviewed association. carefully by the Board and the organizing committee, and taken into account in planning future events. Also in 2016, all Golden Horseshoe counties reviewed and/or renewed their constitutions and by-laws, FarmSmart16 saw banner attendance of more than 1100 demonstrating due diligence and consistency with the producers and agricultural business representatives attend provincial requirements. outstanding presentations across 9 concurrent session themes, as well as the trade-show exhibition. Temple The GHSCIA Regional Board has also been active, hosting Grandin, as part of the Beef Symposium as well as a quarterly meetings through 2016 and tackling issues and feature speaker, was a big draw, attracting many new activities such as project planning, membership database, attendees to the event. A new session focussing on sponsorship, implementing the constitution, member Women in Agriculture was added to the event, and was services and value for membership. The Board said good- also big draw and a huge success. Overall session bye, with many thanks, to long-standing Secretary- presentations included many international speakers, along Treasurer Dianne Booker, as she and husband Craig with Ontario’s finest technical expertise in agriculture. moved from Haldimand to Grey County, and welcomed FarmSmart Expo in July saw more than 130 attendees Ingrid Sikkens of Niagara North as the new Secretary- partake in another successful, hands-on, full day program Treasurer. covering strip tillage, soil health, pest management, spray In the GHSCIA Regional Communications Coordinator patterns and forage management topics featuring many of role, the following was accomplished in 2016: Ontario’s well-known experts in these fields. • Produced 4 newsletters, continuing to highlight a feature farmer from one of the counties in each edition, along with regional events and topics of interest • Continued to use the Member Services website (www.oscia.wildapricot.org) and to support the local association secretaries to make use of it • Maintained and improved the local website (www.ghscia.me)

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 34 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 HEARTLAND SCIA - Mary Feldskov NORTH EASTERN ONT. SCIA - Stephanie Vanthof (Huron, Perth, Waterloo, Wellington) (Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin, Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Sudbury, Temiskaming) 519-669-5608; [email protected] 705-647-4782; nofi[email protected] A Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, has been credited with the well-known phrase “the only constant is change.” This NOFIA partnered with NEOSCIA as the RCC for is true for Heartland Region, who said good-bye to their Northeastern Ontario in 2015 and spent the rest of that Regional Communications Coordinator (RCC) Melissa year visiting each of the eight districts to connect with each Luymes in the summer of 2016. On behalf of the Heartland local association and learn what was involved with the board, the county associations and members I would like position. Though NOFIA held the position, Brittany Roka to thank Mel for all of her hard work and dedication and was the point person. While 2015 was a year for learning, wish her well as she moves on in her career. NOFIA looked to 2016 to improve upon certain aspects of I joined Heartland Region in the late summer, just in time the Northeastern RCC role. Over the past year, the to attend Waterloo SCIA’s “Classroom in the Field” event Northeastern RCC has: held in August. In a summer that will be long remembered • Reviewed and updated all membership lists to ensure for its severe drought, this event happened to fall on one of the list reflected current memberships – this resulted in the rainiest days of the growing season. As resourceful as a 50% decrease in the number of mailed copies of the farmers are, the event was quickly moved to a nearby newsletter and an increase in electronic distribution. church and the program was adjusted to accommodate the • Produced all four issues of Breaking Ground in house– change in venue and the 80+ attendees. this has significantly reduced costs which puts less Moving on into the fall and winter, Huron County, pressure on the need to find sponsors. It also ensures Wellington County and Waterloo County SCIAs held their that NOFIA can compile and release the issue quicker to AGMs in December. Good food and great speakers gave remain within required timelines. members and guests lots of “take-home” information. • Helped plan a number of events, including the Congratulations to all the directors and especially to county Northeastern Crop Caravan, which involved 5 OMAFRA secretaries Lynn Strenske (Waterloo), Linda McFadden specialists traveling to 5 agricultural events in (Wellington) and Sharon Devine (Huron) for planning Northeastern Ontario over 5 days.More than 400 people successful events. Perth County’s AGM will follow in took part during the week. January 2017, with a great program and dinner promised • Helped, attended and reported on the OSCIA Summer by directors and secretary, Thelma Smith. I think I speak Tour in August, which was held in Sudbury. for everyone when I say “thank you” to the secretaries for • Attended a number of district events and meetings. all their hard work and dedication to their associations. For 2017, RCC goals include: As RCC, I picked up where Mel left off, producing the last 1. Helping plan and attend the upcoming Agricultural two of the four Heartland Region magazines. In addition to Symposium in Kapuskasing; the quarterly print magazines, I have started a monthly e- newsletter that will be sent to members with up-to-date 2. Identifying one or two important Soil and Crop events in information. each district and develop a tentative timeline for attending; Since I joined the association late in the year, I missed 3. Encourage the uptake of Tier 1 projects within each much of the activity, but here are some of the highlights: district; • FarmSmart in February had a record-breaking 4. Work with local associations to improve OSCIA branding attendance of over 1300 and awareness. • Huron’s spring meeting, featuring a Soil Erosion Workshop in March NOFIA/Northeastern RCC has also supported the Temiskaming Crops Coalition/Cochrane Soil & Crop • Perth Soil and Crop’s Twilight Tour in June Improvement Association in their Tier 2 “Rapid • Forage Expo, held in July at the farm of Carmen and Development of Forest to Farmland Project.” The second Beth-Anne Weppler near Clifford year of the project involved planting crops and forages on • FarmSmart Expo at the Elora Research Station, July newly mulched and cleared land and assessing the • Wellington’s farm tour, July implications. With only a few months as RCC under my belt, I’d like to In November 2016, Brittany Roka left NOFIA for a position thank the directors, secretaries and members for making with the Ontario Soil &and Crop Improvement Association, me feel so welcome and for helping me climb up the steep in Guelph. We wish her all the best in her new role and learning curve. Special thanks to Heartland Provincial look forward to working with her in this capacity. For the Director Stuart Wright and President John Poel for their foreseeable future, Steph Vanthof will be filling the role of assistance and patience as we figure this all out together. RCC and is looking forward to attending the AGM in Looking forward to 2017 I am confident that we can February! continue to provide great events and opportunities for our membership.

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 35 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 NORTH WESTERN ONT. SCIA - Miranda van den Berg Prorich each sponsored 2 bags to this program. (Kenora, Rainy River, Thunder Bay) Our regional newsletter (The Northwest Link) continues to be a great asset within our region between the three 807 577-4987; [email protected] districts. Because of the challenge of the larger geographical area this region covers, a majority of our As one of the newest Regional Communication members have indicated the value that The Northwest Link Coordinators, I’ve had the pleasure of taking over this role holds. Many prefer this method of receiving the within the Northwest from previous RCC, Jeff Burke. Since association’s news, updates and event announcements as taking on the position this past July, I’ve had the opposed to online. This year, there was again a total of 10 opportunity to attend some of the region’s annual events issues published. A number of sponsors, located in each of between all three of the districts. Below is an overview of the three districts, continue to support this newsletter. the past 6 months since taking on the position of RCC for Aside from The Northwest Link, members have also the Northwest Region. gained additional benefits within each of their districts. July brought on two of our annual summer crop tours Each district’s board is doing a great job in providing their hosted by the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station members with equipment rentals, information on the (TBARS, Thunder Bay) and the Emo Agricultural Research associations’ grants and funding, and advertising various Station (EARS, Rainy River). Both were very well information-related events such as webinars. attended. TBARS had a great attendance of approximately The main challenge within this region continues to be the 80 people, and Director of Research, Dr. Tarlok Sahota, geographical distances between the three districts. presented attendees with a detailed tour of this year’s trial However, many of our members in this area also face a plots. Lunch was provided followed by several local farm host of other problems on a day-to-day basis which differ crop tours in the area that same afternoon. About a week from those in the southern parts of the province. These afterwards, EARS hosted their own tour. This year’s tour include, but are not limited to, different climate/weather was exceptional as it was the site for the Executive patterns, types of crops grown, pests/diseases and soil Outreach Meeting. A great day was had by all as a large quality. We, the delegates of the Northwest, are working group of Provincial Executive and Directors joined in on hard with OSCIA to deliver the different types of knowledge touring the area and discussing the agricultural needs of and information we believe our members in this region this part of the province. may benefit from. And we certainly do appreciate the many At the beginning of December, all three locals held their ways in which the province continues to support agriculture annual meetings. This year, we had Ian McDonald from in the Northwest. OMAFRA give a detailed presentation on soil health and tile drainage, as well as a preview to compaction. Ian plans to present further on this in the new year through a webinar broadcasted to all three of our districts. Brittany Roka, OSCIA’s new Association Development Advisor, was also able to attend all three meetings. She gave a brief but very engaging presentation on her new position, which instilled some new energy among the members in attendance at each meeting. Andrew Brekveld, the new Regional Director who recently replaced outgoing director IT’S ABOUT EXCELLENCE Stefan Szeder, also attended all three. Each meeting was well attended and each of the districts presented some great ideas on how we as delegates can better serve them and improve on things in the new year. Congratulations to our Agribusiness and Food Group on receiving top Aside from these events, there were also a few more in honours in Chambers Canada 2016. For the second consecutive year, we have ranked #1 in Agribusiness law. We are pleased that our peers various areas of the regions before I came on board as and clients have acknowledged our commitment to the agribusiness and RCC for the Northwest. The Annual Thunder Bay Spring food sectors across Canada.

Farm Conference was held on March 30 and 31 and was With almost 550 lawyers in 12 offices across Canada, Miller Thomson once again a great success, showing the highest number offers the advantages of a strong national presence and reputation, with of exhibitors and attendees in recent years. This year’s key the ability to provide local perspective and expertise. This enables us to deliver informed, practical, and cost effective services and solutions to speakers included Ryan Boyd, a beef farmer near Forrest, all our clients. Manitoba, Rae-Leigh Pederzolli, a Masters student at the Wendy Baker, Q.C. Carol VandenHoek University of Saskatchewan, cereals specialist Joanna National Co-Leader National Co-Leader Follings from OMAFRA, Peter Jeffery from OFA and Alex 604.643.1285 519.780.4632 Graham, a Masters student at Lakehead University. [email protected] [email protected] Thunder Bay Soil and Crop Improvement Association also made a decision to run their own Forage Masters program FORWARD TOGETHER this year. The program was designed to be judged on suitability to livestock, without a high alfalfa requirement. MILLERTHOMSON.COM Nine farmers participated and there were 2 judges, one VANCOUVER CALGARY EDMONTON SASKATOON REGINA LONDON agronomist (Dr. Tarlok Sahota) and one nutritionist (Harold KITCHENER-WATERLOO GUELPH TORONTO VAUGHAN MARKHAM MONTRÉAL Bosma). Quality Seeds, General Seeds, Pickseed, and

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 36 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 OTTAWA-RIDEAU SCIA - Barb Keith-Badour QUINTE SCIA - Neil Moore (Ottawa-Carleton, Frontenac, Grenville, Lanark, (Hastings, Lennox & Addington, Northumberland, Leeds, Renfrew) Prince Edward) 613-264-1008; [email protected] 705-324-2594; [email protected]

Accomplishments in 2016: The QSCIA Region originally began about 1964, became ▪ Produced five quality newsletters, the Ottawa Rideau inactive, and revived in 2001 to include Hastings, L&A, Soil and Crop News, promoting local, regional and Northumberland and Prince Edward Counties. Hastings provincial activities. Distributing our January issue via had not been active but held meetings in 2007 to email has proven to be very successful. reorganize. In 2008, Hastings and L&A worked together and beginning in 2009 developed a constitution for a ▪ Ottawa-Carleton SCIA hosted a very successful summer combined Hastings / L&A SCIA. Hastings/ L&A SCIA and meeting with the Carleton County Junior Farmers at the Prince Edward SCIA did not have any meetings in 2016. Experimental Farm in Ottawa; members from across the Meetings are being planned for 2017. Region attended and have expressed interest in attending more activities at this venue I sent out 4 newsletters in 2016. These went to 213 (89 members, and previous members in H/L&A and PE to ▪ Promoted the Ottawa Valley Farm Show–one of Eastern keep their interest) in 2016, 130 members in 2015, 154 in Ontario’s agricultural traditions 2014, 159 in 2013, 174 in 2012, 175 in 2011, 153 in 2010, ▪ Promoted, attended and assisted with established local, 166 in 2009, 188 in 2008, 178 in 2007, 154 in 2006, 178 in regional and provincial events–Eastern Ontario Crop 2005, 157 in 2004, 183 in 2003 and 194 in 2002. 58% by Conference; seed shows; etc. email in 2016, 50 % in 2015, 49% in 2014, 53% in 2013, ▪ incorporated the new provincial branding in the 48% in 2012, 45% in 2011, 44% in 2010, 38% in 2009, newsletter design 34% in 2007 and 2008, 30% in 2006, 35% in 2005, and 31% in past years. Goals for 2017: Sixteen sponsors are contributing $100/yr each and this ▪ Host an informative and enjoyable Summer Meeting covers postage, and extra charges as the printed copy is all colour. The East Central/Quinte SCIA web site hosts ▪ Set-up a Facebook page and Twitter account newsletters, coming events, project information, and links ▪ Increase advertising in the newsletter in order to update updated to new information. our publication format Provincial Soil and Crop Conferences, Diagnostic Days, ▪ Expand membership base and Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show information is included ▪ Continue to promote and participate in local and in coming events. GF2 promotion is included in the regional events newsletters. ▪ Continue to promote EFP and GYFP workshops and the I added weather data from the 6 co-operators in the cost share programs member counties to the annual report presented at the Northumberland County Annual Meeting. Northumberland ▪ Continue to enhance newsletter content and distribution also has a separate annual report by Secretary Doug ▪ Increase awareness of OSCIA through internet media, Young. organizations, and publications I promoted the BBQ in August for Northumberland SCIA. I ▪ Continue to explore opportunities to partner with other promoted and attended the County annual meeting, organizations and programs to promote OSCIA and the presented updates, and I attended the County director ORRSCIA meetings. ▪ Explore possible projects that can be conducted on a local and regional basis ST. CLAIR SCIA - Krista Gladstone ▪ Continue to work with the Provincial RCCs to support (Essex, Kent, Lambton) provincial activities and goals 519-674-1500, ext. 63597; [email protected] ▪ Promote delivery of newsletter electronically. It continues to be a pleasure to work with the ORRSCIA The St. Clair Region Soil & Crop Improvement Association Regional Directors; our County Executives and local covers the southernmost part of Ontario and is comprised members; the OSCIA Provincial Executive, Directors and of Chatham-Kent, Essex and Lambton Counties which office staff; fellow RCCs; OMAFRA staff and the others I currently has a combined membership of approximately meet during OSCIA initiatives. I am looking forward to 300 people. another very exciting year. The Regional Communications Co-ordinator (RCC) for the St. Clair Region is Krista Gladstone, Program Co-ordinator with the Ag Business Centre at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus located in Ridgetown, Ontario.

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 37 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 During 2016, some of the RCC activities included: to St. Clair’s Provincial Director, Chad Anderson and Adam • The publishing and distribution of 4 major regional Hayes, Soil Management Specialist, OMAFRA for their newsletters, including OSCIA Provincial Newsletter, hard work in keeping the St. Clair Region on track. OMAFRA Crop Talk as well as local content; I look forward to working with the other RCCs on another • Annual promotion of newsletter sponsorship to help great year with OSCIA! offset some of the rising costs involved with publishing and creation of the quarterly newsletters (ongoing); THAMES VALLEY SCIA - Cathy Dibble • Distribution of extra newsletters to agribusinesses and (Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford) other interested parties to promote our grassroots soil and crop organization; 519-463-9737; [email protected] • Sent out membership renewal letters to past members to try and gain back/maintain membership levels and Oxford, Middlesex and Elgin Counties continue to engage also work on expanding St. Clair’s membership base; our members through many events, popular tours, • Provided Secretary-Treasurer duties to the St. Clair producer information meetings and field demos, and with Region Executive Board and assisted the 3 local good attendance at all the annual meetings. Members from associations as required; across the region participate in various field research trials, • Sent out various mailers to notify groups of upcoming both county and region based, as well as with OMAFRA events (e.g. Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, summer Field Crop projects too. twilight tours, local annual meetings notices/surveys, The second year of the region’s Tier Two #RootsNotIron etc.) and also assisted in the organization and planning project, in partnership with the Heartland Region, studying of local events/tours; the effect of year-round cover crops in standing field crops • Attendance at provincial and regional annual meetings generated at great deal of interesting data in 2016, results assisting with registrations, taking pictures and note- of which will be available on the region’s website and in taking for upcoming newsletter articles, etc.; Crop Advances. The region also joined forces with Elgin and Middlesex Counties for a Tier One project assessing • Active in key regional events that partner with OSCIA management strategies in advanced winter wheat. Thanks including Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (tending the to Peter Johnson and Shane McClure for their guidance, OSCIA/OMAFRA educational tent) and at the support, time and energy in keeping these projects rolling. SouthWest Agricultural Conference as one of the main Special thanks to our Treasurer, Marian Desjardine, for coordinators; keeping all the paperwork over many different projects in • Participation with regular RCC correspondence, order. conference calls, training sessions, and meetings; The regional newsletter receives plenty of positive • Assist and prepare OSCIA grant submissions, claims, comments from members across the region. With 650 invoicing and paperwork for St. Clair Region including registered members receiving newsletters, more than 35% Regional Communication Grants, Tier One Grants and now choose to receive the electronic version. In addition to Tier Two Grants; the four major newsletters produced, several smaller • Ongoing development and support of the St. Clair editions are published during the summer months and in Regional website (www.scscia.wordpress.com) December to announce regional events, showcase photos • Work with and support the region’s local membership and reports from local association events as well as mailing lists in the OSCIA Wild Apricot membership updated rainfall and heat unit data from each county. software program and use this program for electronic Local and regional directors staff the Middlesex SCIA distribution of newsletters and to notify members in a booth at the Western Fair Farm Show in London in March, timely fashion of upcoming events, etc.; encouraging new members to join and participate in field • St. Clair Region is happy to continue our partnership trials, and showcasing project equipment and results. One with our local Conservation Authorities (Essex Region director representing each county association and one Conservation Authority, Lower Thames Valley from the regional board sit on the Southwest Ag Conservation Authority and St. Clair Conservation Conference steering committee, meeting twice each year Authority) to publish a regular ‘Crops & Conservation’ to assist in choosing interesting session topics. article in our quarterly newsletters. This provides an All three counties use the Wild Apricot membership excellent opportunity for the exchange of information database to maintain membership and electronic mailing and sharing of ideas between the two organizations; list data on a regular basis. Many members are now using • We also partner with Weather Innovations Consulting LP the system to renew and pay for memberships online, and to provide the St. Clair membership with up-to-date are also updating their personal farming information at the weather summary data in each of our quarterly same time. Wild Apricot is also being used as an efficient newsletters. Through the newsletter, we encourage our and effective event registration tool. members to participate in the CoCoRaHS (Community The regional website continues to be a popular source of Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow) Canada network as information for coming local events, rain and heat unit volunteer observers to collect manual precipitation data data, local project reports, plot data and tour photos. which is then made available for anyone to view and @TVRSCIA 's Twitter followers among members increases use. regularly, and appears to be a popular method of sharing A special thank-you goes out to Cathy Dibble, RCC Lead event details, timely weather and pest updates, yields, for her ongoing guidance and support. Also, many thanks pictures from the field and much more. OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 38 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 OSCIA 2016 Annual Meeting Minutes

OSCIA Annual Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 9 & Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Crystal Ballroom, Lamplighter Inn and Conference Centre, London ON

Tuesday, February 9, 2016 Welcome • Gord Green, First Vice-President, called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.

Opening Remarks • Alan Kruszel, President, welcomed the delegates mentioning the variety of topics to be presented and the opportunity to network. He also expressed appreciation to the many sponsors for their support.

Video Greetings from the Minister • The Honourable Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, extended greetings to the assembled delegates.

US Agriculture’s Response to Lake Erie Algal Blooms • Dr. Tim Harrigan, Michigan State University, spoke about the many factors affecting phosphorus runoff and the various management decisions farmers can adopt that can reduce the amount of phosphorous entering watersheds.

New OMAFRA Field Crop Staff • Gord Green introduced the four new OMAFRA field crop staff, inviting them to share their backgrounds and their plans for upcoming growing season: • Jake Munroe, Soil Fertility Specialist • Ben Rosser, Corn Industry Program Lead • Joanna Follings, Cereals Specialist • Meghan Moran, Canola and Edible Bean Specialist.

President’s Report • President Alan Kruszel spoke about the many accomplishments over the past year including strategic planning by the Board of Directors, the successful first year of the new grant structure, alignment of an OMAFRA field crop specialist with each of OSCIA’s eleven regions, designation of the Provincial Soil, and the post-graduate student supported through the OSCIA Soil and Crop Sustainability Fund.

Executive Director’s Report • Andrew Graham reflected on the “goals scored” over the past year, that included: projects under the new grant structure; soil analysis discount for members; Provincial Soil Champion and Ontario Forage Master; designation of Provincial Soil with Minister Leal; and program milestones with new partnerships that have been forged.

Minutes of 2015 OSCIA Annual Meeting Motion #1 - Moved by Normand Delorme (Nipissing West/East Sudbury), seconded by Doug Walker (Huron), that the minutes of the 2015 OSCIA Annual Meeting be approved as presented. Carried

Financial Statements • Julie Henderson, Chief Financial Officer, presented the 2015 audited financial statements and Murray Short of RLB LLP provided details on the audit. The audit report indicated that OSCIA maintains its records and controls adequately and is financially viable to deliver all projects and programs.

Motion #2 - Moved by Andrew Harbers (Dundas) seconded by Bill Byker (Grenville), that the audited financial statements for the year ending September 30, 2015 be approved as presented. Carried Appointment of Auditors OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 39 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 Motion #3 - Moved by Josh Deschryer (Kent), seconded by Ryan Benjamins (Lambton), that the firm of RLB LLP be appointed as auditors for the fiscal year of October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. Carried

Honorary President • Gord Green introduced the 2016 Honorary President, Peter Johnson. Peter was OMAFRA’s Cereal Special from 1985 to his retirement last year (2015). OSCIA recognized his passion, enthusiasm, dedication, humour and professionalism.

Implementation of the New Strategic Plan of OSCIA • Angela Leach, Plan Insight, met with the Board of Directors last April where they identified four priorities to focus on over the next five years: • Increase membership engagement • Improve internal communications • Facilitate applied research and knowledge transfer • Develop and deliver adaptive and strategic program opportunities. • Angela presented the results of a membership survey conducted in the months prior. As the survey identified a desire for more support for local associations from the provincial office, she then encouraged delegates to pass their ideas along to Directors and senior staff.

(Presentations of Grant Reports were interspersed throughout the meeting.)

Tier One Grant Presentations • Georgian Central Region & Grey County (Joint project) - LysteGro - A New Bio-Fertilizer for Corn - Andrew Barrie, OMAFRA • Halton County- Assessing Innovative Soil Sampling Technology in Relation to Biosolids Application within Halton Region - Adrian Mohammed and Kaye McLagan • Heartland Region - Website Redesign - Melissa Luymes, Heartland RCC • Renfrew County - Proline Fungicide on Corn Silage to Reduce Mycotoxins - Tom Agnew • Oxford - Verifying a Pre-Sidedress Soil Nitrate Threshold Test for Evaluating Nitrogen - Scott Innes • Norfolk - Systems Approach to Cover Crops in a Rotation - Mike Pasztor

Tier Two Grant Presentations • St. Clair - Advancing Cover Crop Systems in Ontario - Focus on Soil Nutrients (N&P), Soil Health, Insects and Nematodes - Adam Hayes, OMAFRA • Thames Valley - Roots Not Iron - Mike Miller • Ottawa-Carleton - Environmentally Sustainable Utilization of N on Corn - Sean Cochrane • Cochrane-Temiskaming - Rapid Development of Farmland from Boreal Forest and an Evaluation Relative to Traditional Clearing Methods - Ed Haasen

Resolutions Resolution #1 - Brant – Forage Master Program THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that OSCIA actively pursue new sponsors for the Program and relaunch in 2017 with a new, updated and redesigned format. Moved by John Sikkens, seconded by Steve Sickle (Brant). Carried

Resolution #2 - Dufferin – Loss of Productive Farmland to MNRF and Conservation Authorities THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the OSCIA petition OMAFRA and MNRF to review the current MNRF policy regarding agricultural leases and reinstate the granting of medium and long term leases to farmers. Moved by John Sikkens, seconded by Alan Lyons (Dufferin). Carried

Resolution #3 - Dufferin – Tillage and Crop Rotation Research for Dundalk Plain THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA work with the University of Guelph and OMAFRA to set out tillage/crop rotation trials in the Dundalk Plains area of Ontario to determine sustainable reduced/conservation tillage practices that are both economical and enhance soil health. Moved by John Sikkens, seconded by Alan Lyons (Dufferin). Carried

Resolution #4 - Dundas, Glengarry, Ottawa-Carleton & EVSCIA - Lack of OMAFRA Field Crop Specialists in the East THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association work with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and other major farm groups (GFO, OFA, CFFO) to have a new, bilingual field crop specialist placed in Eastern Ontario on a timely basis. Moved by John Sikkens, seconded by Réjean Pommainville (Russell). Carried Resolution #5 - Elgin – OSCIA Cost Share Programs

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 40 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, OSCIA work with funding partners to allow funding to be proportionally awarded to all applications received before the deadline. Moved by John Sikkens, seconded by Nick Hoffsuemmer (Elgin). Carried

Resolution #6 - Elgin – Algae Blooms in Lake Erie THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA work with other groups to further support research to determine actual phosphorus requirements for crop production and BMPs to minimize its environmental impact. Moved by John Sikkens, seconded by Nick Hoffsuemmer (Elgin). Carried

Resolution #7 - Elgin – Request for Pilot Project - Algae Blooms in Lake Erie THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA initiate a pilot project in conjunction with Conservation Ontario, to start and establish and determine Baseline appropriate Nutrient Management in urban areas to minimize Nutrient run off and contamination and maintain a clean water environment. Moved by John Sikkens, seconded by Nick Hoffsuemmer (Elgin). Carried

Resolution #8 - Elgin – Pollinator Health and Species At Risk THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA encourage the maintenance of pollinator and wildlife habitat on all land uses within the agricultural landscape. Moved by John Sikkens, seconded by Nick Hoffsuemmer (Elgin). Carried

Resolution #9 - Elgin – Ontario Corn Committee Trials THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the OSCIA express appreciation to OCC and encourage the continuation of the managed trials. Moved by John Sikkens, seconded by Nick Hoffsuemmer (Elgin). Carried

Resolution #10 - Lambton – Designating Agricorp Staff as ‘Professional Pest Advisors’ THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA work with Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and Agricorp, to ensure that these field staff are considered “Professional Pest Advisors” under the regulation. Moved by Don Oliver, seconded by Ryan Benjamins (Lambton). Carried

Resolution #11 - Middlesex – Phosphorus Residue THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA work with other farm groups to ensure that any mandated phosphorus reduction be based on scientifically attainable levels, and; FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA ensure that any target level set also consider that any food production will have an environmental footprint, and FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA suggest to both levels of government that new funding be provided for research and extension to develop practices that reach these goals. Moved by Don Oliver, seconded by Larry McGill (Middlesex). Carried

Resolution #12 - Middlesex – Pollinator Habitat THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA request provincial governments for funding to retire lands that will allow creation of pollinator habitat and other conservation practices. Moved by Don Oliver, seconded by Larry McGill (Middlesex). Defeated

Resolution #13 - Middlesex – OMAFRA Field Crop Specialists THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA request OMAFRA to appoint a representative to the Soil and Crop Regions currently without OMAFRA representation. Moved by Don Oliver, withdrawn by Larry McGill (Middlesex).

Resolution #14 - Nipissing West/East Sudbury – Sandhill Cranes THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA request the Minister of the Environment, Environment Canada to allow a limited Sandhill crane hunt in Specific Wildlife Management Units in Ontario to help in reducing crop damage and economic losses. Moved by Dale Ketcheson, seconded by Normand Delorme (Nipissing West/East Sudbury). Carried

Resolution #15 - Prescott – Crop Enhancement Products THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA investigate the possibility of establishing independent testing of crop enhancement products to get unbiased data on their effectiveness. Moved by Dale Ketcheson, seconded by Allain Mallette (Prescott). Carried

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 41 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 Resolution #16 - Simcoe North – Reduced Load Exemption Request THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA request the Ontario Minister of Transport to extend similar exemptions to vehicles delivering these vital, time sensitive farm supplies. Moved by Dale Ketcheson, seconded by Wayne Simpson (Simcoe North). Carried

Resolution #17 - Thunder Bay – Wildlife Damage on Crops for Crop Insurance THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the OSCIA works with AgriCorp to create an insurance policy that covers crop damage due to wildlife damage. Moved by Dale Ketcheson, seconded by Andrew Brekveld, Thunder Bay). Carried

Resolution #18 - York – Wildlife Losses THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the OSCIA request the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to establish an “easy to obtain” permit for hunting and scaring methods for nuisance wildlife foraging in identified problem areas. Moved by Dale Ketcheson, seconded by Alvin Brooks (York). Carried

Resolution #19 - Simcoe South/Grey – Request for Release of Neonic Comparison Project Results THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA request the immediate release of the 2014-2015 results of the on-farm neonic comparison project. Moved by Dale Ketcheson, seconded by Stephanie Kowalski (Simcoe South). Carried

Sustainability Fund • Harold Rudy, Executive Officer, Research and Business Development, gave updates on current research into pollinator health research by researchers at University of Guelph, Ridgetown College, supported by the Agricultural Adaptation Council and industry sponsors. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wednesday, February 10, 2016

OSCIA Program/Project Updates Growing Forward 2 • John Laidlaw, Program Manager, reviewed the changes in the third year of Growing Forward 2. All cost share is merit- basedFive workshops are now available: Environmental Farm Plan; Growing Your Farm Profits; Biosecurity; Food Safety; and Traceability, the last three only offered fully this past year. Participation numbers are solid and growing and surveys indicate high participant satisfaction.

Environmental Programs • Christine Schmalz, Environmental Programs Manager, reported on Environmental Farm Plan, Species At Risk Farm Incentive Program, Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Initiative, including Manure and Biosolids Management Program and the Farmland Health Checkup, all of which have been well-subscribed by producers.

Research and Business Development • Harold Rudy, Executive Officer, Research and Business Development, updated delegates on initiatives he works with: Soil and Crop Sustainability Fund; pollinator health research; Farm, Food & Beyond: Our Commitment to Sustainability; analysis of Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) and Growing Your Farm Profits programs; early development of a national EFP; collaboration on soil health research proposals; a precise greenhouse gas research project; and a biomass heating research project. Harold also reported on Ontario Seed Growers’ Association activities.

Ratification of the Board of Directors • Each Director has been elected by their own region, and that slate of Directors requires ratification at the following OSCIA Annual Meeting by the delegates. Motion #4 - Moved by Aaron Steven's (Waterloo), seconded by Kaye McLagan (Perth), that the slate of Directors be approved. Carried The 2016 OSCIA Provincial Directors are: East Central……Don Oliver Heartland…..Stuart Wright Quinte…….Dale Ketcheson Eastern Valley….Warren Schneckenburger North Eastern Ont……Mack Emiry St. Clair……..Chad Anderson

Georgian Central….Les Nichols North Western Ont……Stefan Szeder Thames Valley…….Jamie Littlejohn Golden Horseshoe……John Sikkens Ottawa-Rideau……..Peter McLaren OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 42 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 Research Committee Reports • All reports from Directors who sit on research committees are included in the annual report. • G. Green, A. Kruszel and D. Ketcheson presented their reports to the delegates at the meeting.

Cover Crop Choices and Management Practices on My Farm • John Burk, Bay City, Michigan, shared his experiences using cover crops to increase organic matter and enhance soil health which produces better yields very economically.

Ontario Forage Masters • Chris Brown, 2015 Ontario Forage Master from Lennox & Addington County, gave his winning presentation “The Value of Forages on Beslea Farms”.

Reducing Phosphorus Export in Agricultural Runoff • Dr. Merrin Macrae, University of Waterloo, shared her research into factors that affect surface and subsurface phosphorus loss and practices that can minimize this loss.

Slate of Executive Board • The 2016 slate of Executive Board was presented:

The 2016 OSCIA Executive consists of:

President……………………. Gord Green Honorary President………… Peter Johnson 1st Vice President…………… Mack Emiry Immediate Past President….. Alan Kruszel 2nd Vice President………….. Peter McLaren Executive Director………….. Andrew Graham 3rd Vice President………….. Les Nichols OMAFRA Representative… Dawn Pate

2015 Soil Champion Presentation • Dean Glenney, Haldimand County, spoke about his innovative conservation practices that have increased yields substantially. • Thanks to the generosity of the sponsors, Don Loeb and Lillie Ann Morris, this is now an annual award.

2016 Soil Champion Award Presentation • Vollmershausen Farms, Oxford County, was selected as the 2016 Soil Champion. Tyler accepted the award on behalf of his whole family and encouraged others to focus on continuous learning, ask questions, and embrace change.

Cover Crops: The New Paradigm. Financial Yield Not Physical Yield • Blake Vince, Kent County, spoke of his experience going past no-till to year round, high diversity cover crops in order to build healthy, more productive soil.

Panel Discussion on Cover Crops • John Burk, Blake Vince and Tyler Vollmershausen answered detailed questions from the delegates on initiating and maintaining cover crops.

Banquet Speaker • Dr. John Varty spoke on how agricultural commodities have driven major change in world markets over the centuries.

Adjournment • The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

______Andrew Graham, Executive Director Alan Kruszel, President

AG/ms

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 43 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 Agricorp is also having discussions with the Grain Farmers Association Resolutions of Ontario about potential impacts from the new regulations and will be happy to keep you informed about Resolutions are an opportunity for local associations to these discussions. To help clarify program expectations communicate their concerns to delegates from across under the new regulations for our customers, we have and Ontario. If passed, the provincial board will discuss the will continue to focus our communications on the resolution, take the direction of the resolution under importance of following good farm management practices advisement and forward it on to the appropriate agencies while complying with the regulations. We regularly post or organizations. program information, updates and news on agricorp.com The resolutions brought forward for the 2017 OSCIA so that customers can easily find the most current Annual Meeting can be found as a separate handout in the information. delegate kit. Thank you again for interest. I have asked Mike Vlcek to The recommendations of the resolution are listed on the follow up with you to answer any questions you may have. OSCIA website. When a response is received from the agency or organization, it is posted on OSCIA’s website Sincerely, with the response forwarded to the secretary of that Doug LaRose county/district. On the OSCIA website, go to ‘Association’, CEO, Agricorp ‘Annual Meeting’, then ‘Resources’. c. Don McCabe, President, Ontario Federation of EXAMPLE from 2016 AGM Agriculture David Hagarty, Director, Farm Finance Branch, OMAFRA "Resolution #10 - Lambton - Designating Agricorp Staff as ‘Professional Pest Advisors’ Responses to Resolutions can be WHEREAS under the new Ontario class 12 pesticide regulations Agricorp field staff are note considered found on OSCIA’s website: “professional pest advisors” and are not permitted to www.ontariosoilcrop.org/association perform a “Crop Pest Assessment”, and; Contact Amber Van De Peer for previous WHEREAS these individuals are qualified to advise on replant decisions and are able to determine the likely years’ resolutions and responses cause of stand loss, and; [email protected] WHEREAS there could be significant delays in replanting waiting for a “Professional Pest Advisor and; WHEREAS these planting delays will most likely have a negative economic impact. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that OSCIA work with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and Agricorp, to ensure that these field staff are considered “Professional Pest Advisors” under the regulation. Moved by Don Oliver, seconded by Ryan Benjamins (Lambton) Carried

Here's where it was sent: CEO of Agricorp & Minister of Environment and Climate Change Copied to: President of Ontario Federation of Agriculture

REPLY BY DOUG LAROSE, CEO AGRICORP Dear Mr. Graham, COMPOST SALES Thank you for your letter informing me of the OSCIA’s resolution to work with Agricorp to have our field staff approved as professional pest advisors under the new Ontario class 12 pesticide regulations. We understand that the Ministry of Environment and [email protected] Climate Change has identified a potential shortfall in www.lifecycleorganics.ca professional pest advisors and is looking at options to @LifecycleC resolve this potential problem, including the use of Agricorp staff. Agricorp is working with OMAFRA to support the (905) 912-2749 MOECC analysis and is committed to collaborating with government on this priority. OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 44 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 OSCIA Soil & Water Association Contributions Conservation Farm Signs OSCIA provided financial support to the following The local associations have an opportunity to provide a organizations/events during 2016: Soil and Water Conservation Farm gate sign to farmers with a commitment to good soil management on their • Junior Farmers’ Association - Sponsorship farms. These practices include controlling soil erosion, maintaining crop productivity, and protecting water • Christian Farmers Federation - Sponsorship resources. • Soil Conservation Council of Canada - Summit Recipients are chosen at the local level and signs can be obtained by contacting the OSCIA Provincial office at: • OFA - Sustainable Farm and Food project [email protected]. • International Association for Great Lakes Research - 59th Conference UPDATE: We recently revamped the sign. The new sign is similar to • Ag Research & Extension Council of Alberta - the other Farm Gate signs that OSCIA supplies. These National EFP Benchmarking Study signs are available at cost recovery. The recipients since 2016 February AGM are: County Name OSCIA Memberships

Renfrew Rene & Karen Coulas • Agricultural Adaptation Council Glengarry Rob McDonald • Canadian Forage and Grassland Association Association Recognition • Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops • Farm and Food Care Certificates • AgScape OSCIA has a certificate to acknowledge the recipient for • Ontario Agri-Food Technologies his/her contribution to the Association and the advancement of crop production. These certificates are • Ontario Forage Council of Canada used at both the local and provincial level. The award was • Soil Conservation Council of Canada developed by the OSCIA Board of Directors in 1982. The recipients of the OSCIA Recognition Certificates since the 2016 February AGM are: County Name Algoma Harold Stewart Dufferin Jim Irvine OSCIA Tier One Grant Golden Horseshoe Dianne Booker Report Reminder Halton Lance Pocock Tier One Grant Report Leeds Gordonvale Jerseys ReminderFinal reports for ALL Tier One NWOSCIA Bruce Forrest NWOSCIA & OSCIA Stefan Szeder projects MUST be submitted, if not OSCIA David Armitage already done so, as soon as OSCIA Dawn Pate possible, so that appropriate data OSCIA John Sikkens can be included in the OSCIA OSCIA Dale Ketcheson Report to the Ministry due late Ottawa-Carleton Gib Patterson February 2017 Oxford Dan Van Weerdhuizen Rainy River Larry Lamb Renfrew Gerry Rook Wentworth Dave Vollick Wellington Wayne Cunningham

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 45 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 OSCIA Outline of Programs/Projects Date Jan 30, 2018 Aug 1, 2018 Nov 1, 2018 Nov Feb 20, 2018 Feb 10, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Dec 16, 2016 Dec Mar 31, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Mar 31, 2017 Mar 31, 2019 Mar 31, 2018 Mar 31, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Mar Completion

Start Start Date Jul 8, 2015 Jun 2, 2015 Jun 1, 2016 Sep 5, 2014 Dec 1, 2014 Dec 1, 2013 Dec Apr 1, 2013Apr 1,Apr 2016 1, 2014Apr

May 6, 2015 May 1, 2016 May 1, 2016 Jun 28, 2016 Dec 16, 2016 Dec

Acronym GF2 GLASI SARFIP–F SARFIP–P SARPAL Neonicotinoid eEFP SHIP-P SHIP-F

TOTAL VALUE OF PROGRAMSVALUETOTALOF 34,375,953 $ OSCIA Outline of Programs/ Projects Programs/ of Outline OSCIA PROGRAMS PROGRAMS

Up Up

$ 250,000 $ - $ 50,000 $ - OVER $ 250,000 250,000 $ OVER Growing 2 Forward InitiativeGreat Agricultural Stewardship Lakes at ProgramFarm Incentive Risk Species Lands at Agricultural on Risk Partnerships Species Grant/AgreementOMAFRA Pollinator Health & Treatment Seed Through the EFP Information Strengthen Technical of the Transfer Process Educational Health Check-Soil 50,001 $ Health Soil Check- Amendments 4R For Soil N Levels Soil of Detection Enhancing Heating Energy for Systems Biomass 0 $ Remediation Soil !

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 46 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 2016 Financial Statements

ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 47 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Page

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT 3

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of Financial Position 4

Statement of Fund Balances 5

Statement of Operations 6

Statement of Cash Flows 7

Notes to the Financial Statements 8 - 11

Schedule of Other Revenue - Operating Fund 12

Schedule of Expenses - Operating Fund 13 - 14

Schedule of Directors' and Committees' per Diem and Expenses 15

Schedule of Memberships 16

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 48 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

To the members of: Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association

We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, which comprise the statement of financial position as at September 30, 2016 and the statements of fund balances, operations and cash flows for the year then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with Canadian accounting standards for not for profit organizations and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor's Responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audit is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Opinion In our opinion, these financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association as at September 30, 2016 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian accounting standards for not for profit organizations.

Guelph, Ontario Chartered Professional Accountants January 9, 2017 Licensed Public Accountants

Page 3

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 49 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 4 0 0 Page 78,569 26,862 10,643 39,393 99,560 99,560 140,070 480,346 118,834 136,992 218,272 394,657 1,113,897 1,229,971 2,755,290 3,375,706 4,230,294 $ $4,724,511 $ $4,724,511 0 0 69,200 11,406 83,913 27,831 14,441 83,950 91,553 800,904 881,510 269,389 395,611 101,116 192,669 2016 2015 1,406,102 2,868,441 4,274,543 4,651,686 $ $5,239,966 $ $5,239,966 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (727,569) (727,569) (727,569) (727,569) $ $(727,569) $ $(727,569) Eliminations 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 920,238 920,238 819,122 101,116 920,238 Externally $ $920,238 $ $920,238 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 485,864 2,868,441 3,354,305 3,354,305 Internally Restricted Restricted A S S E T S S A $ $3,354,305 $ $3,354,305 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11,406 83,913 27,831 14,441 83,950 800,904 796,769 269,389 395,611 See notes to the financial statements Fund Funds Fund 1,609,079 1,297,381 Operating $ $1,692,992 $ $1,692,992 Unrestricted L I A B I L I T I E S A N D F U N D B A L A N C E S C N L A A B D N F U D N I L T A B I E S L I A ) 4 ) 5 (note (note Cash Accounts receivable receivable remittances Government Prepaid expenses Cash Portfolio investments Accounts receivable Accounts payable payable Grants Accrued payroll Deferred revenue Accounts payable Deferred revenue ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION IMPROVEMENT CROP SOIL AND ONTARIO POSITION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT AS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 RESTRICTED ASSETS CAPITAL RESTRICTED BALANCES FUND CURRENT CURRENT

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 50 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 5 0 0 Page 20,687 46,500 144,731 372,364 2016 1,297,381 2,770,023 3,354,305 Closing $ $4,651,686 0 0 377 4,756 2,639 6,786 14,291 132,199 103,350 113,152 Income Investment $ $ 0 0 0 0 10,000 10,000 (10,000) 392,803 (392,803) Transfers $ $ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (4,140,321) (17,740,189) $ $(21,880,510) 0 0 0 0 0 5,500 5,500 4,438,305 17,725,898 $ $22,169,703 0 20,310 31,000 392,803 142,092 365,578 See notes to the financial statements 2016 Revenue Expenses 1,004,641 2,273,870 3,225,653 Opening $ $4,230,294 ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 30, SEPTEMBER ENDED YEAR Contingency NSC Health and Wellness Capital Working Infrastructure Sustainability fund Project and program administration ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION IMPROVEMENT CROP SOIL AND ONTARIO STATEMENT OF FUND BALANCES THE FOR UNRESTRICTED OPERATING FUND FUNDS RESTRICTED INTERNALLY EXTERNALLY RESTRICTED FUND

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 51 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 6 0 0 Page 3,800 8,855 19,594 25,752 28,386 23,333 16,661 65,222 41,608 (21,888) 142,000 638,706 128,001 353,873 416,064 146,825 157,981 249,367 2,144,672 17,900,065 18,658,883 14,828,889 18,409,516 $ $ 0 0 3,500 9,466 25,946 26,060 21,427 61,145 20,803 55,752 53,964 421,392 142,000 132,199 677,935 123,097 351,429 545,978 200,857 136,219 2016 2015 2,504,678 17,725,898 18,678,032 14,116,319 18,256,640 $ $ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (29,000) (3,594,870) (3,623,870) (3,623,870) (3,623,870) Eliminations $ $ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14,291 17,725,898 17,740,189 17,740,189 17,740,189 Externally $ $ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5,500 113,152 118,652 118,652 Internally Restricted Restricted $ $ 0 0 4,756 3,500 9,466 29,000 25,946 26,060 21,427 61,145 20,803 55,752 53,964 142,000 672,435 123,097 351,429 545,978 200,857 136,219 302,740 See notes to the financial statements Fund Funds Fund 3,594,870 4,443,061 2,504,678 4,140,321 Operating Unrestricted $ $ for (schedule 2) (schedule (schedule 2) (schedule (schedule 2) (schedule ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 30, SEPTEMBER ENDED (schedule 4) (schedule YEAR (schedule 2) (schedule (schedule 1) (schedule 2) (schedule fund revenue fund Directors Committees expenses fund Project and program daily rate receipts OMAFRA Grant (loss) income Investment IT surcharge Other Project and program administration Advertising and promotion Administration Miscellaneous projects Grants Other GST/HST Professional and consulting fees Payroll and related expenses Sponsorships Memberships Travel Amortization IT services Project and program administration the year Per diem and expenses (schedule 3) (schedule expenses and diem Per ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION IMPROVEMENT CROP SOIL AND ONTARIO OF OPERATIONS STATEMENT THE FOR REVENUE EXPENSES EXCESS OF REVENUE OVER EXPENSES

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 52 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

2016 2015

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES Excess of revenue over expenses $ 421,392 $ 249,367 Add: Items not affecting cash Amortization of capital assets 55,752 65,222 477,144 314,589

Net change in non-cash operational balances Accounts receivable 489,715 4,486,829 Government remittances receivable 15,456 (3,112) Prepaid expenses 10,643 (9,643) Accounts payable (19,569) (4,000,548) Grants payable 14,441 (12,368) Accrued payroll (53,042) 26,286 Deferred revenue 152,233 35,840 609,877 523,284 1,087,021 837,873

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Bank indebtedness 0 (738,300)

CASH (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES Portfolio investments (113,151) (647,997) Purchase of capital assets (20,831) (88,033) (133,982) (736,030)

CHANGE IN CASH 953,039 (636,457)

CASH, beginning of year 1,253,967 1,890,424

CASH, end of year $2,207,006 $1,253,967

CASH REPRESENTED AS: Current cash $ 800,904 $ 1,113,897 Restricted cash 1,406,102 140,070

$2,207,006 $1,253,967

See notes to the financial statements Page 7 OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 53 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

1. ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association was created under the laws of Ontario in 1939 and qualifies as an agricultural organization as defined in s.149(1)(e) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and is, therefore, exempt from income taxes. The objectives of the Association include the following:

(a) Producer Awareness; (b) Development and Delivery of Stewardship Programs; (c) Support Local Association Development; and (d) Strategic Alliances for Fulfilling Our Mission and Addressing Consumer Concerns.

Membership through local Associations represents a credible, active grassroots voice, devoted to communicating and facilitating responsible, economic management of soil, water, air and crops.

The Association is a significant link between research and production and promotes producer responsibility and the use of science and technology for the benefit of consumers. The Association sponsors education and information programs, field days, regional events, local demonstrations and theme conferences.

The Association also administers programs under contract with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC), Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), Environment Canada (EC) and other agencies.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian accounting standards for not for profit organizations and include the following significant accounting policies:

(a) FUND ACCOUNTING

The Association receives funding for specific purposes and the statements have been presented using the Restricted Fund method, which segregates the following fund balances:

(i) Unrestricted Operating Fund

This fund reflects the daily operations of the Association.

(ii) Internally Restricted Contingency Reserve Fund

This fund is restricted by the organization to support ongoing Association activities. The Board of Directors requires that the Association maintains a minimum balance of $1,000,000 for this purpose.

(iii) Internally Restricted NSC Fund

This fund included money which remained after the completion of the National Soil Conservation Program (NSCP). The Association delivered the NSCP to Ontario farmers under contract with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

In the current year, the Association wound this fund up into the Internally Restricted Contingency Reserve Fund.

Page 8 OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 54 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

(a) FUND ACCOUNTING (continued)

(iv) Internally Restricted Working Capital Reserve Fund

This fund has been established to allow the association to meet its financial obligations for a period of six months. This fund may be used to temporarily cash flow the operating expenditures of the organization or to appropriately respond to changing needs in program engagement.

(v) Internally Restricted Infrastructure Reserve Fund

This fund has been established to cover future costs for information technology, leasehold improvements and/or to reserve capital for special projects.

(vi) Internally Restricted Health and Wellness Reserve Fund

This fund has been established to hold in trust, for permanent employees, an internal short term disability allotment.

(vii) Internally Restricted Sustainability Fund

This fund has been established to hold funds collected from local, regional and provincial associations for future funding of on-farm applied research. During the year ending September 30, 2015, the Board of Directors committed $50,000 over five years to this fund. $10,000 was transferred to this fund from the unrestricted operating fund during the current year.

(viii) Externally Restricted Fund

The purpose of the fund is to manage projects on behalf of a number of funding providers. Each project is subject to the terms and conditions described in its individual funding agreement.

(b) CAPITAL ASSETS Capital assets are recorded at cost and amortized on the basis of their estimated useful life using the following methods and rates: Computer hardware - 3 year straight-line basis Leasehold improvements - 5 year straight-line basis

(c) IMPAIRMENT OF LONG LIVED ASSETS Long lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying value exceeds the total undiscounted cash flows expected from their use and eventual disposition. The amount of the impairment loss is determined as the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its fair value.

(d) DEFERRED REVENUE

Project and Program Administration Fund funding is recognized over the period designated by the funder. Deferred revenue represents the excess of funding received over related expenses.

Page 9 OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 55 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

(e) REVENUE RECOGNITION

Project and program daily rate receipts and revenue from investments are recognized as services are provided. Project and program administration fund revenue, other revenue and IT surcharge revenue are recognized as services are provided and collection is reasonably assured. The OMAFRA grant is recognized as the tier two grants expenses are incurred.

(f) USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Canadian accounting standards for not for profit organizations requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the year. Significant areas requiring management's estimates include the useful lives of capital assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(g) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Measurement of financial instruments The organization initially measures its financial assets and liabilities at fair value, except for certain non-arm’s length transactions. The organization subsequently measures all its financial assets and financial liabilities at amortized cost, except for investments, which are measured at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized in fund balances.

Financial assets measured at amortized cost include cash and accounts receivable.

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost include accounts payable, grants payable, accrued payroll and deferred revenue.

The organization’s financial assets measured at fair value include portfolio investments.

Impairment Financial assets measured at amortized cost are tested for impairment when there are indicators of impairment. If an impairment has occurred, the carrying amount of financial assets measured at amortized cost is reduced to the greater of the discounted future cash flows expected or the proceeds that could be realized from the sale of the financial asset. The amount of the write-down is recognized in excess of revenue over expenses. The previously recognized impairment loss may be reversed to the extent of the improvement, directly or by adjusting the allowance account, provided it is no greater than the amount that would have been reported at the date of the reversal had the impairment not been recognized previously. The amount of the reversal is recognized in excess of revenue over expenses.

Transaction costs The organization recognizes its transaction costs in excess of revenue over expenses in the period incurred. However, financial instruments that will not be subsequently measured at fair value are adjusted by the transaction costs that are directly attributable to their origination, issuance or assumption.

Page 10 OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 56 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

3. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Unless otherwise noted, it is management's opinion that the organization is not exposed to significant interest, credit, currency, liquidity, or other price risks arising from their financial instruments.

The extent of the organization's exposure to these risks did not change in 2016 compared to the previous period.

The organization does not have a significant exposure to any individual customer or counterpart.

Transacting in financial instruments exposes the company to certain financial risks and uncertainties. These risks include:

Currency risk

The currency risk refers to the risk that the fair value of the financial instruments or future cash flows associated with them will fluctuate relative to the Canadian dollar due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The organization is exposed to United States currency rate risk on foreign investment balances in the amount of $78,139 (2015 - $180,826) denominated in Canadian dollars.

4. PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS Portfolio investments throughout the year consisted primarily of fixed income funds and guaranteed investment certificates. At year end, $543,941 was held in four guaranteed investment certificates, which mature between January 16, 2017 and January 15, 2019 and earn interest at between 1.1% and 2.5% per annum. The Association has pledged investments with a carrying value of $138,546 from the Contingency Reserve Fund as security for a line of credit with a $150,000 limit.

5. CAPITAL ASSETS Accumulated Net Net Cost Amortization 2016 2015

Computer hardware $ 336,731 $ 318,286 $ 18,445 $ 35,023 Leasehold improvements 148,465 82,997 65,468 83,811

$485,196 $401,283 $ 83,913 $ 118,834

6. LEASE OBLIGATIONS

The Association leases office and storage facilities under operating leases expiring on October 31, 2021. Future minimum lease payments are as follows:

2017 $ 124,859 2018 124,268 2019 124,268 2020 124,268 2021 124,268 Thereafter 10,356

$632,287

Page 11

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 57 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION OTHER REVENUE - OPERATING FUND Schedule 1 FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

2016 2015

OTHER REVENUE Sponsors Annual Meetings $ 17,750 $ 18,000 Summer Meeting 16,201 18,750 Canada's Outdoor Farm Show 5,000 4,000 Forage Master 0 2,200 Neonic pollinator receipts 501,333 298,106 Biomass Heating Demo receipts 36,471 72,729 Membership fees 30,473 28,088 Ontario Seed Growers' Association 25,000 20,992 Forage quality receipts 13,727 10,118 One-time receipts 11,534 92,614 Annual meeting registration fees 9,979 7,383 Sustainability fund receipts 5,500 21,000 Seed Fair grants 1,500 1,500 Summer Meeting registration 1,045 1,006 Sales 1,376 632 Soil Champion Award 1,046 3,160 Greenbin composting receipts (OMAFRA) 0 30,657 Farm Innovation Program receipts (AAC) 0 6,271 Successful farm management program 0 1,500

$677,935 $638,706

See notes to the financial statements Page 12 OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 58 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION EXPENSES - OPERATING FUND Schedule 2 FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

2016 2015

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION Enhanced communications $ 20,637 $ 25,752 Promotional items 5,423 0 $ 26,060 $ 25,752 ADMINISTRATION Office lease $ 132,967 $ 131,902 Office expenses 67,491 94,088 Telephone 25,095 27,630 File storage 34,189 22,856 World Wide Web 26,228 19,602 Insurance 21,671 16,941 Postage 16,988 15,940 Photocopier lease/usage 16,815 13,173 Field performance reviews 9,393 0 Bank charges 470 11,741 Cage rental space 122 0 $351,429 $353,873 MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS Neonic pollinator expenses $ 501,333 $ 298,106 Biomass Heating Demo expenses 20,464 72,429 Forage quality expenses 12,493 10,424 Forage Masters Program 9,717 4,448 AFGC expenses 1,971 0 Greenbin composting expenses (OMAFRA) 0 30,657 $545,978 $416,064 GRANTS Regional Communication grants $ 78,041 $ 49,992 Tier two grants 63,475 23,538 Tier one grants 56,853 0 Seed Fair grants 2,488 2,901 Regional Partner grants 0 34,685 Major grants 0 16,861 Regional Paired Partner grants 0 10,172 Educational grants 0 6,176 Project grants 0 2,500 $200,857 $146,825

See notes to the financial statements Page 13

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 59 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION EXPENSES - OPERATING FUND Schedule 2 (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

2016 2015

OTHER Annual meeting $ 86,807 $ 94,565 Summer meeting 17,123 24,040 Staff training and development 14,290 15,620 Canada's Outdoor Farm Show 5,669 4,772 Executive Director expenses 3,859 5,077 Executive Officer expenses 2,754 7,201 Board training and development 2,702 0 Project development 1,969 0 Soil Champion certificate 1,046 3,160 Miscellaneous 0 3,546 $136,219 $157,981

See notes to the financial statements Page 14

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 60 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION DIRECTORS' AND COMMITTEES' PER DIEM AND EXPENSES Schedule 3 FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Per Diem Expenses 2016 2015

DIRECTORS Executive meetings $ 13,982 $ 28,934 $ 42,916 $ 52,206 Directors meetings 15,063 18,997 34,060 28,538 County meetings 13,216 9,409 22,625 18,903 Ad Hoc meeting 6,953 10,913 17,866 20,412 Regional meetings 1,599 4,031 5,630 7,942

$ 50,813 $ 72,284 $ 123,097 $ 128,001 COMMITTEES Farm and Food Care $ 3,274 $ 3,088 $ 6,362 $ 3,739 Finance Committee 2,250 2,105 4,355 1,496 Soil Conservation Council of Canada 2,525 921 3,446 1,580 Forage and Grasslands Committee 900 2,282 3,182 1,502 Ontario Forage Council 875 1,397 2,272 2,511 Cereal Crops Committee 875 889 1,764 870 Ontario Agri-Food Technologies (OAFT) 450 1,200 1,650 1,990 Canadian Certified Crop Advisors 486 408 894 1,143 COFS Committee 356 230 586 331 Oil and Protein Committee 263 215 478 427 Field Crop Committee 416 0 416 1,031 Committee membership 100 195 295 18 AgScape 0 125 125 669 Soil Management Research Committee 113 0 113 1,245 Health and Safety Committee 0 8 8 14 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 0 0 0 611 Forage Crops Committee 0 0 0 417

$ 12,883 $ 13,063 $ 25,946 $ 19,594

See notes to the financial statements Page 15

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 61 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 ONTARIO SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS Schedule 4 FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

2016 2015

MEMBERSHIPS Ontario Agri-Food Technologies $ 2,500 $ 2,500 Farm and Food Care 2,500 2,500 Canadian Forage and Grassland Association 1,500 1,500 Soil Conservation Council of Canada 1,000 1,000 Ontario Forage Council 600 600 AgScape 500 500 Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops 500 0 Agricultural Adaptation Council 150 150 Soil and Water Conservation Society 196 105 Other 20 0

$ 9,466 $ 8,855

See notes to the financial statements Page 16 OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 62 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 County/District Grant Payment Summary 2016 Paid to date to Paid To Date To Claimed Claimed Pre- Approved FarmlandHealth & Education Grant date Paid to to Paid

To Date To Claimed Claimed SeedFair

Pre- $300.00 $300.00 $282.30 $292.30 $300.00 Approved date Paid to to Paid To Date To Claimed Claimed Tier Two Pre- Approved date Paid to to Paid To Date To Claimed Claimed Communication Grant Communication Pre- $7,000.00 $4,060.86 $4,060.86 $7,000.00 $4,666.90 $4,000.00 $7,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $7,000.00 $2,253.11 $2,253.11 $7,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $7,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $26,100.00 $0.00 $0.00 $7,000.00 $5,575.65 $3,463.35 Approved $77,000.00 $29,861.68 $18,136.94 $102,316.50 $24,608.25 $12,872.25 $1,500.00 $582.30 $592.30 $4,300.00 $2,370.62 $0.00 TITLE Grants for April 1, 2016 to March 2017 31, GrantsAprilforto 1,2016 Technology in Relation to Biosolids to Relation in Technology years fiscal; 2017 Annual Meeting Annual 2017 fiscal; years Bus Tour Bus Summer Bus Tour Bus Summer & meeting Agriculture in Advancement Tour Bus Summer - meeting Education & AGM 2017 Guest - Life to Soil your Bringing ($1225), Meeting Information Spring SCIA withRussell Tour Bus 2016 2016 Trip Summer & Appreciation trip Bus Education Agri-Food ($387.39); Tour Crop Summer 2016 Rental Room - AGM 2017 Sampling Soil Innovative Assessing last - 2016 Janury for meeting AGM a in Crops Cover to Approach Systems Meeting Information Annual 2017 fees Speaker - AGM Huron Meeting Summer Field- the in Classroom FieldCrop OMAFRA - Caravan Crop Day Information & AGM education & retention Membership 2016 SCIA Sudbury Tour Crop Temiskaming 2016 July - Executive HostingOSCIA Conference Farm Spring Bay Thunder Local Project Trials ($1000) Trials Project Local Jan.9/17 Speaker Applications within Halton Region-part 2 withinRegion-part Halton Applications Rotation 2016 Annual Meeting (1,112.61) Meeting Annual 2016 Specialists Education/Information Day Education/Information Tier One

date Paid to to Paid

Date Claimed To To Claimed

Pre- $300.00 $900.00 $803.23 $803.23 $950.00 $350.00 $200.00 $819.96 $790.00 $409.65 $409.65 $775.00 $202.70 $200.00 $1,500.00 $904.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $1,460.00 $1,500.00 $951.44 $1,400.00 $1,355.56 $1,045.25 $1,500.00 $387.39 $387.39 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $1,420.41 $1,500.00 $1,420.40 Approved $43,659.00 $19,086.18 $6,797.04 Peel York Grey Perth Brant Bruce Huron Halton Kenora Russell Norfolk Algoma Dundas Victoria Dufferin Durham Prescott Sudbury Muskoka Waterloo Cochrane Stormont Glengarry Manitoulin Wellington Haldimand Wentworth Rainy River Parry Sound Thunder Bay Thunder Peterborough Simcoe North Simcoe Simcoe South Simcoe Niagara North Niagara Niagara South Niagara West Nipissing West Temiskamming TOTALS Halton 2nd Grant 2nd Halton Association EasternValley HorseshoeGolden Georgian Central Georgian Heartland Eastern Ont. North North Western Ont. East Central East OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 63 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 Paid to date to Paid To Date To Claimed Claimed Pre- $1,500.00 $2,800.00 $2,370.62 Approved FarmlandHealth & Education Grant date Paid to to Paid

To Date To Claimed Claimed SeedFair

Pre- $300.00 $300.00 $300.00 $300.00 Approved date Paid to to Paid To Date To Claimed Claimed Tier Two Pre- $23,472.00 $11,736.00 $0.00 Approved date Paid to to Paid To Date To Claimed Claimed Communication Grant Communication Pre- $7,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $7,000.00 $4,100.86 $2,399.83 $7,000.00 $6,386.36 $1,959.79 $25,744.50 $12,872.25 $12,872.25 $7,000.00 $2,817.94 $0.00 $27,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 Approved $77,000.00 $29,861.68 $18,136.94 $102,316.50 $24,608.25 $12,872.25 $1,500.00 $582.30 $592.30 $4,300.00 $2,370.62 $0.00 TITLE Grants for April 1, 2016 to March 2017 31, to Grantsfor April 2016 1, Frontenac withsplit - costs Tour Bus Fall Frontenac withsplit - costs Tour Bus Fall Benchmarking Health Soil late after Crop Cover a as Rye Cereal application 1st if only - Meeting Annual Meeting General Annual ESCIA AGM & Tour Twilight Meeting Annual Extremely in Management Nitrogen Extremely in Management Nitrogen Extremely in Management Nitrogen Summer Tour Companion Crop to Wheat to Crop Companion Drilling Wheat; and Planting Radish as a a as Radish Planting and Wheat; Drilling harvest soybeans; Broadcasting vs. vs. Broadcasting soybeans; harvest funding is not 100% used. 100% not is funding Advanced Wheat Advanced Wheat Advanced Wheat Advanced Tier One

date Paid to to Paid

Date Claimed To To Claimed

Pre- $290.00 $1,500.00 $4,866.60 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $1,020.00 $1,500.00 $1,200.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $1,535.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $2,985.36 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 Approved $43,659.00 $19,086.18 $6,797.04 Elgin Essex Leeds Oxford Lanark Renfrew Lambton Grenville Middlesex Frontenac HastingsL&A Prince Edward Prince Chatham-Kent Ottawa-Carlton Northumberland TOTALS Association Northumberland, 2nd Northumberland, Ottawa-Rideau Quinte St.Clair ThamesValley OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 64 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 OSCIA Regional Associations & Boundaries Map

Map Legend:

1 St. Clair Lambton, Kent, Essex 7 Quinte Prince Edward, Hastings Lennox & Addington, Northumberland

2 Thames Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford 8 Eastern Valley Prescott, Russell, Glengarry, Stormont, Valley Dundas

3 Heartland Huron, Perth, Waterloo, 9 Ottawa-Rideau Grenville, Leeds, Lanark, Renfrew, Wellington Ottawa-Carleton, Frontenac

4 Georgian Bruce, Grey, Dufferin, Simcoe 10 North Eastern Parry Sound/Nipissing East, Muskoka, Central North, Simcoe South Ontario Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin, Temiskaming, Sudbury, Nipissing West/ East Sudbury

5 Golden Niagara North, Niagara South, 11 North Western Rainy River, Thunder Bay, Kenora Horseshoe Haldimand, Wentworth, Halton, Ontario Peel, Brant, Norfolk

6 East York, Durham, Peterborough, Central Victoria, Haliburton

OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 65 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 1959 George van Sickle* Brant OSCIA Presidents and Year 1958 H.H.G. Strang Huron 1957 Jas A. McBain Elgin Served 1956 W.W. Dawson* Peterborough 1955 Andy Johnson* Renfrew 2016 Gord Green Oxford 1954 W.J. Schneller* Waterloo 2015 Alan Kruszel Stormont 1953 Howard Harper* Ontario 2014 Allan Mol Thunder Bay District 1952 William Wallace Essex 2013 Henry Denotter Essex 1951 J.B. Graham Wentworth 2012 Joan McKinlay Grey 1950 L.B. Mehlenbacher* Haldimand 2011 Max Kaiser Lennox & Addington 1949 H.H. Mcnish* Leeds 2010 William Barry Hill Brant 1948 A.A. McTavish* Bruce 2009 Murray Cochrane Algoma 1947 T.A. Wilson* Lanark 2008 Pat Lee Oxford 1946 Frank V. Dedrick* Norfolk 2007 Frank Hoftyzer Peterborough 1945 G.R. Richard* Durham East 2006 Keith Black Huron 1944 Gordon Hancock* Peterborough 2005 Kevin Ferguson Ottawa-Carleton 1943 H.E. Simpson* Simcoe North 2004 Steven Eastep Wellington 1942 W.E. Breckon* Halton 2003 Lloyd Crowe Prince Edward 1941 R.J. McCormick* Brant 2002 Greg Kitching Halton 1940 Clarke Young* York 2001 Fred Judd Norfolk 1939-1938 Alex. M. Stewart* Middlesex 2000 Ben Kamphof Thunder Bay District 1999 Allan Yungblut Niagara North (* deceased) 1998 Denis Perrault Russell 1997 Jim Fischer Bruce 1996 Jim McWilliam Durham West 1995 Allan Brown Simcoe North 1994 Victor Roland* Perth Honorary Presidents and 1993 Ken McCurdy Hastings 1992 Elwin Vince Kent Year Served 1991 Maurice Martin Elgin 1990 Jim Yungblut Niagara South 2016 Peter Johnson 1989 Bill Zandbergen Dundas 2015 Dr. David Hume 1988 Don Hill Grey 2014 Jim Arnold 1987 Richard Sovereign Halton 2013 Colin Reesor 1986 Donald MacDonald* Frontenac 2012 Lee Weber 1985 Frank Little Essex 2011 Peter Hannam 1984 Laurence Taylor Huron 2010 Don Lobb 1983 Grant Richardson Haldimand 2009 Lyle Vanclief 1982 Graydon Bowman* Temiskaming 2008 Ginty Jocius* 1981 Ken Patterson* Middlesex 2007 Bill Parks 1980 Jean-Noël Dessaint* Ottawa-Carleton 2006 Dr. Allan Hamill 1979 John McGill* Lanark 2005 William Curnoe 1978 John Benham Wellington 2004 Harvey Wright 1977 George Gardhouse Peel 2003 Dr. Terry Daynard 1976 Howard Huctwith Lambton 2002 Ken Knox 1975 James Barrie Waterloo 2001 Dr. Charles S. Baldwin 1974 Leland Wannamaker* Lennox & Addington 2000 Dr. Gordon Surgeoner 1973 Russell Morrison Durham East 1999 Dr. Rob McLaughlin 1972 Alfred Baudette Stormont 1998 Galen Driver 1971 Henry Davis South Simcoe 1997 Ralph Shaw 1970 Ross Leedham Norfolk 1996 John Benham 1969 Howard Salmon Wentworth 1995 Vernon Spencer 1968 Fred Cohoe* Oxford 1994 Everett Biggs* 1967 Reg McCann* Northumberland 1993 Jack Riddell 1966 Leonard Trivers* Algoma 1992 Tom Sawyer 1965 Robert Sparrow Ottawa-Carleton 1991 Dr. Stan Young* 1964 George Stuffel* Dundas 1990 Dr. Clay Switzer 1963 Eugene Lemon* York 1989 William A. Stewart 1962 Hugh Glasgow Kent 1987 Vacant 1961 Grover Smith Prince Edward 1986 Mike Clitherow 1960 Morris Darby North Simcoe (* deceased) OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 66 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 ______Notes ______OSCIA ANNUAL MEETING 2017 67 Join the Conversation! #OSCIAagm17 Thanks again to our 2017 Sponsors!

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