October 2022 Newsletter

OPVG News - October 2022

OPVG Newsletter

October 2022 Edition

Election reminder

 

As we mentioned in the September newsletter, OPVG has appointed Canlead Solutions as our Returning Officer once again this year to oversee the 2023 Board member elections. These are the current Board positions up for elections:

 

  • District 1: Chris Stewart and Tom Keller
  • District 2: Carl Merrick
  • District 3: Neil Reimer

 

The nomination period runs from October 3 to 14. You should have received notification directly from Canlead Solutions.

 

If you have any questions, contact Lona Ponte at Canlead Solutions at 

1 (800) 769-3272 ext. 205 or lona@canleadsolutions.ca.

November Policy Day

 

The 30 District Committee delegates will be invited to

attend an OPVG Policy Day on November 9 at the

Stoneridge Inn in London. The Board will be consulting

with delegates on a number of issues to assist the Board

in creating policies that serve all our growers.  

Here’s where things stand for this season's harvest.

 

  • Bonduelle reports that pea harvest is complete at above budget with good yields and quality. This year's sweet corn, green and wax bean, and lima bean harvest are set to be complete by mid October with all crops looking good overall to date. The squash and carrot crop looks promising despite some replants that were required early in the season.

 

 

  • Hartung reports that overall cucumber quality is good, with harvest resulting in approximately 93% of contract being delivered despite some growers being short on labour.  

 

  • Processors tell us the tomato crop is approximately 89% complete (as of Sept 30) with good solids, colour, yield and overall quality.

OMAFRA extends free HEPA unit program

In September, Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, announced that employers of International Agri-Food Workers (IAWs) are eligible for one free HEPA unit to continue to keep agri-food workers safe.

 

Eligibility for a free unit is per:

 

  • bedroom or 1,000 sq. ft. of sleeping space in employer-provided housing for IAWs
  • additional common area in congregate settings (kitchen, bathroom, etc.)
  • common area of workplaces employing IAWs (lunchroom, washroom, changeroom, etc.)

 

IAW employers can contact the government to request additional HEPA units. Email omafra.labour@ontario.ca and including business name, congregate living address and total number of additional communal areas that would qualify for a unit.
COMMUNITY

Farmer Wellness Initiative is always open

The Farmer Wellness Initiative provides access to free counselling services and tailored mental health support and resources to all Ontario farmers and their families. At the heart of this initiative is free counselling services – in person, by phone or virtually – with professionals that bring an agricultural background and training. The confidential service is accessible at 1.866.267.6255, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in English, French and 30 other languages. The program was developed through a partnership with Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), the Canadian Mental Health Association – Ontario Division and LifeWorks. 

 

More resources are also available here.  

Thanks to our

processor partner

OPVG would like to acknowledge Hartung Brothers Inc. who made a special effort to clean up the crop

by incentivizing growers with enhanced payment terms to allow them to continue harvesting

well into September. 

Resources for farm employers

 

Did you know that OFVGA has a library of online resources to help

farm employers keep employees safe including health and safety, vaccines, bicycle safety, etc. Resources are available in multiple languages

and free to all farm employers. 

 

www.ofvga.org/covid-19
CONNECT WITH US

Point. Shoot. Submit. 

 

The 2022 OPVG Photo Contest continues to accept entries through until the end of the year. We’d love to see what the fall season looks like on your farm – the people, the harvest, the weather, the farm pet.

 

  • Four categories: Our Farm Families, Something to Admire, Field to Fork, Best Overall
  • Prizes: $175 for winning photo in each category
  • Deadline: December 31, 2022

 

You don’t need to be an OPVG member to enter.  

Full details are available here.

Negotiations will be here before you know it.

We'd like your feedback, thoughts or concerns.

Please email us at opvg@opvg.org
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