Feeding Your Future
Promoting agri-food jobs and training opportunities across
Ontario.
Making connections in the agri‑food workforce.
Employers are seeking qualified candidates for Ontario’s food, beverage and agri-products sector. Feeding Your Future wants to make it easier for employers to find, train, and retain the workers they need, and help employ Ontarians with meaningful jobs during COVID-19 and beyond.


Want to learn more?
Explore these project toolkits to learn more and register for upcoming events.
Employer Toolkit Job Seeker ToolkitJob Matching Concierge Service
OFA is partnering with AgCareers.com and CareersInFood.com to help agri-food businesses set up an account online, post job openings, and manage applications.

Streamlining the process of connecting job seekers with agri‑food employers
Through webinars, agri-training opportunities and virtual career fairs, Feeding Your Future allows candidates to learn more about agriculture, enter the workforce feeling prepared and confident and bridges the gap to new employers and job opportunities.
Webinars
Free webinars for job seekers and employers to learn about opportunities in agri-food, health, safety and workplace cultureAgri-training
A new online certificate for employees and job seekers as an introduction to agri-food safety and awarenessCareer Fairs
Free online events hosted across the province to connect agri-food employers and job seekersFacebook Posts
In the Know is a new agriculture-based mental health literacy training program aimed to educate any and all roles in agriculture about mental health. Read more here: ow.ly/SJn650DJIdD

In the Know addresses gap in agriculture-based mental health training | Farmtario
ow.ly
Reading Time: 3 minutes A farmer often goes about their day in relative isolation, especially this last year. Many will tell you there is reassuring sameness found on the farm when the outside world...- Likes: 2
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We love supporting Canadian farmers and all workers in the agri-food sector that help grow and distribute food from the field to our tables 🍽️ #ForksUp Canada ... See MoreSee Less
The deadline to apply is February 26, 2021.
www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogram.htm ... See MoreSee Less

Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program
www.omafra.gov.on.ca
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural AffairsThis session highlights projects in Ontario addressing skill & labour force challenges in the sector. Sign up now:
ofa.on.ca/communityofpractice/ ... See MoreSee Less
Visit our website to learn more about the new training certificate, developed with the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. This introductory online training program will help whether you are exploring a career in agriculture, looking to learn about safe work practices on a farm or considering how to add credentials to your resume. #ontag #FeedYourFuture #ontariojobs ... See MoreSee Less
Read more about the benefits of making this small investment for a long-term gain: ow.ly/UU2Q50DCyF1 ... See MoreSee Less

Ontario training program for new workers in agriculture
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The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is proud to launch an online training program for workers new to the agricultural sector, created in partnership with the University of Guelph –…Register for the #FeedYourFuture virtual career fair with @AgCareers on March 11 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Both employers and job seekers are welcome to register on our website! ow.ly/v3qQ50DCyYP ... See MoreSee Less
This week meet Megan Racey (Nutrition Babe) originally from Markham, Ontario!
Megan has followed a unique path, connecting interests in health science and the agri-food sector. She is a Post-doctoral Fellow at McMaster University creating impact from research and helping inform evidence-based decision making and has also started her own consulting company. Megan has earned three post-secondary degrees, all at the University of Guelph. An Honours Bachelor Science (BSc) in Nutrition and Nutraceutical Sciences, and a Master of Science (MSc) in Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, as well as a Doctorate in Philosophy in Human Health and Nutritional Sciences.
With a heavy academic background in health science, and no background in agriculture, Megan was first exposed to the relationship between health and agri-food during her Masters program. She was involved in the Agri-Food for Healthy Aging research group which works to improve well-being of older adults through food.
Following this, her PhD research focused on communicating the importance of dairy products and alternatives for bone health and growth to adolescents. Working with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO), opened Megan's eyes further to the key links between nutrition, health and our agri-food sector. During her PhD, she also worked at a Guelph agri-food consulting company where she learned of the many players involved in the food sector from farm to fork.
Megan never imagined to be where she is now, mainly because she was unaware of all the opportunities and careers that exist. She is happy to have discovered her passions, knowledge and skills that have intersected and now provide value within the agri-food and health science fields.
#FeatureYourFuture #FeedYourFuture ... See MoreSee Less
The SmartGrowth Program is providing eligible enterprises in Southern Ontario within the agri-food sector with financial support & growth strategies
Find details here: ow.ly/5r2150Dvxm5 ... See MoreSee Less

SmartGrowth Program to Open on January 4, 2021 | Bioenterprise
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Bioenterprise will be accepting applications for the second round of the SmartGrowth Program for companies to access funding and mentorship. Guelph ON, December 15, 2020 The SmartGrowth Program provid...Introducing David Thompson originally from Thessalon Ontario!
David currently works at the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre as Manager of the Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN). The RAIN is a collaborative network that focusses on building a more resilient agri-food sector in northern Ontario. With his educational background and interests, David never expected he would assume the role he is in but is passionate about supporting and building rural communities in northern Ontario.
After high school, David had a strong interest in computers which led him to pursue a Diploma in Computer Networking at Seneca College. He chose to continue his studies at Algoma University where he graduated with a Degree in Community Economic and Social Development. In 2012, he completed his Masters of Business Administration with a focus on Community Economic Development at Cape Breton University. His major research project focused on overcoming challenges of beef farmers to create effective value chains in northern Ontario.
David did not grow up on a farm although his grandfather had a dairy farm. His parents were still committed to giving his family an appreciation for farming and David worked on various farms when he was growing up. His interest in working in agriculture didn't spark until he worked with a research institute with Algoma University. In this role, he conducted market research for local beef farmers who wanted to make their businesses more resilient in northern Ontario.
David came to understand the significance of coordinating farm programs and applied research projects to continue to help the agriculture sector in northern Ontario thrive. His experiences have helped him truly appreciate the relationships he has built along the way to develop valuable projects and programs.
#FeatureYourFuture #FeedYourFuture ... See MoreSee Less
Get ready to implement In the Know training in your workplace starting in March
In the Know is a new agriculture-based mental health literacy training program aimed to educate any and all roles in agriculture about mental health. Read more here:

In the Know addresses gap in agriculture-based mental health training | Farmtario
Reading Time: 3 minutes A farmer often goes about their day in relative isolation, especially this last year. Ma...
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Take advantage of the opportunity to #GrowYourBrand through @UtensilDotCA's new course that will help you build your brand personally & professionally
Sign up now to get group discounts for your entire team for interactive training opportunities!

Grow Your Brand
train.utensil.ca
Inscrivez-vous dès aujourd’hui!
Ne manquez pas le webinaire « Partir sa petite entreprise maraîchère » à 13h30 avec Jeremy Colbeck. S’inscrire ici: https://feedingyourfuture.ca/webinars/
@comm_UCFO #FeedYourFuture
Take part in celebrating #CdnAgDay today!
We love supporting Canadian farmers and all workers in the agri-food sector that help grow and distribute food from the field to our tables 🍽️ #ForksUp Canada
Excited to share the progress of this project to address Ontario agri-food labour challenges! @ComFuturesON

@letsgrowfood sharing now about the feeding your future project and some of the outcomes @FeedYourFuture
Attention all Francophone @OntarioFarms members! @comm_UCFO will be hosting a webinar on February 24
À l’attention de tous les membres @OntarioFarms francophone! @comm_UCFO organisera un webinaire le 24 février prochain. Inscrivez-vous ici:
https://feedingyourfuture.ca/webinars/
Don't miss your chance to apply for the Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program to improve the health & safety of workers and address impacts related to COVID-19
The deadline to apply is February 26, 2021.
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogram.htm
Sign up today for @WSPS_NEWS webinar on Strategies for Agricultural Workers Affected by COVID-19 THIS Wednesday from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Learn how to customize your workplace safety plans & more information about funding services provided by WSPS.
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Strategies for Agricultural Workers Affected by COVID-19. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Join the WSPS Agriculture Specialists, as they provide insights into safety issues in business during the COVID-19 p...
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Tune in to a Growing Your Agri-Food Workforce through Skills & Training Opportunities webinar on February 23 from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
This session highlights projects in Ontario addressing skill & labour force challenges in the sector. Sign up now:
https://ofa.on.ca/communityofpractice/
Proud of success stories like these and to work with @AgCareers & @CareersInFood to help farmers face labour shortages throughout this challenging time

Like many farm businesses in 2020, the Foster family found themselves looking to fill vacancies during a pandemic escalated agri-food labour shortage. Read the Foster’s @FeedYourFuture success story in the latest edition of #OFAToday. https://bit.ly/3b88CPy
