Farm and Food Care is involved in several other iniatives to engage the consumer all of which can be found on the link above.
Which brings us to the next speaker, Bern Tobin, who gave us a session in media training.
'Explain it to me like I am a seven year old' was a quote he used to demonstrate how to get your message across to someone who doesn't have any knowledge your area.
'Know what you want to say, keep your game face on and stick to the subject' - sounds simple, right!
Bern was followed by Andrew Campbell who gave us an insight into social media.
The fastest growing form of media with 1 billion active users on Facebook, with users spending an average of 50 minutes per day . Twitter is also growing at an incredible rate, with users able to connect with thousands of people instantly, practically whenever they like. A powerful tool for promoting our industries but comes with a warning, '
Comments or opinions made over social media is like toothpaste;
'Once its out of the tube, it impossible to get back in again.'
Social media can be a great way to promote industry and your own business and tell the story the way you want it. Many lobby groups and activists are very good at making use of these networks to do just that.
To give an example of just a very different story can be conveyed by changing some of the dynamics but keep the basic facts, take a look at The Three Little Pigs
Next up for the afternoon is George Klosler from Farm Credit Canada speaking about 'Agriculture More Than Ever' which is an industry cause iniative to improve perceptions and create positive dialogue about Canadian agriculture. Together with those involved in agriculture,they shine a spotlight on the facts, stories and people that make the industry special.
There are some really great video clips on their website showing the wonderful stories of how are food is raised or grown and by whom. Thanks to Farm Credit Canada for sponsoring our shirts for the Nuffield delagates to wear on our travels !
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| Paul Inderbitzin proudly showing off his shirt on his birthday. |
Today we are on the bus by 8am, our final destination will be Niagara Falls.
First stop is Cranston Farms, a family owned and operated dairy and sweetcorn operation.
of the stalls is left to start the bacterial process of the new bedding as it is introduced.
Cows are fed on a Total Mixed Ration of maize, flaxseed, cotton and soya
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| Contented Cranston farms Cows |
Next we stop in Simca at VG Meats, a family operated business with four brothers involved. No doubt there are some parents to act as referees as well !
VG Meats are a vertically integrated business, growing, processing and marketing Angus cross beef.
The focus is on quality and while not the cheapest, they do strive to be the best. The brothers invest heavily in testing and quality management with an array of systems in place to support this. the retail meat is hung for around 21 days prior to sale and customers can have the meat they have purchased hung in a special display cabinet for up to 90 days.
Wholesale business accounts for around 50% of the sales with the rest retailed through the shop and is complimented with some lamb, pork and poultry.No hormones are used in the production of their meat as they have found it has an effect on flavour.
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| Meat in the hanging cabinet at VG Meats |
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Pruning at Meglomaniac Wines with Lake Ontario in the background |
We then moved inside which also happened to be underground, a great way to control the temperature for the fermentation process but with the added benefit of minimising planning issues!
Sue Anne, who also has her own winery, Staff Estate Winery is so passionate and enthusiastic about the wine and what she does and had us mesmerised with her knowledge. After tasting three wines and discussing the various characteristics of each one, we were putty in her hand!
Thanks Sue Ann for a great afternoon..
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| Getting the lowdown on wine with Sue Ann Staff |
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