ACORN News
Organic Grain and Oilseed Forum Widely Anticipated
“Organic grains and oilseeds are a staple in moving the entire organic industry forward–from making bread to feeding livestock–having a supply of quality organic grain is fundamental,” says Mark Bernard, co-ordinator for the newly formed Maritime Organic Grains Network.
ACORN and the OACC are hosting the first Organic Grain and Oilseed Forum, March 5-6th. This will be a great event to meet processors, make new business connections, and network with other producers–mark your calendars!
“There has been a lot of interest from conventional farmers switching some or all of their farms into organic grain production,” says Bernard.
Since the formation of the network in the Fall of 2007, the Maritime Organic Grains Network (MOGN) has developed a database of hundreds of growers, processors and interested stakeholders, distributed two newsletters, and planning for research trials for the 2008 growing season.
“The supply is not meeting the demand for organic grains, organic dairy, and many other livestock industries in the Maritimes are just starting out,” said Bernard.
There is a tremendous potential for the organic grain sector to increase with many different types of milling grains and specialty grains in demand. The price continues to stay stable and the supply unmet year after year. According to the recent MOGN crop survey, over 1,000 tonnes of organic grain were grown in the Maritimes in 2007 by 36 farmers.
It was to help meet the increasing demand for information and education, that the MOGN planned the Organic Grain and Oilseed Forum. The evening of the 5th will feature discussion on transitioning and record keeping, while the 6th will focus on organic production and market opportunities.
Featured speakers include Ted Zettel (Organic Meadow), Tom Manley (Homestead Organics), and Sébastian Angers. Ted is a former organic dairy farmer, involved in the largest organic dairy cooperative in Canada; Tom owns one of the largest organic feed mills in Eastern Canada; and Sébastian is an organic club advisor in Quebec.
“The caliber of the speakers and the content to be covered are excellent,” says Andrew Kernohan, organic grains producer from Nova Scotia.
The Organic Grain and Oilseed Forum is being held in conjunction with the Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network (ACORN) annual conference and public trade show, at the Memramcook Resort in N.B. Check out the full program here or call 1-866-32-ACORN.
We are grateful for the support of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Maritime ACAAF Councils, EcoCert Canada, and Speerville Flour Mill.
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