Classic calendar introduces some of Ontario’s fabulous farmers
To know your farmers is to know your food

For immediate release
October 28, 2011 (Guelph, Ontario): A 2012 edition of a popular black and white calendar showcasing the photos and stories of 13 Ontario farmers and farm families was unveiled at a gala in Guelph last night. The seventh annual “Faces of Farming” calendar is designed to introduce the public to a few of Ontario’s passionate and hardworking farmers – the people who produce food in this province.
The calendar is produced by the Farm Care Foundation. All of the calendar’s models are real, working Ontario farmers and hail from all parts of the province. They represent a variety of ages (from 19 to 85) and produce a variety of crops including apples, potatoes, milk, poultry, pork, eggs, beef, grape vines and cash crops like corn, wheat and soybeans.

The artistic, black and white calendar photos, taken by Kitchener photographer Terry Scott White, are both dramatic and appealing, as are the farmers’ stories which include:
• An octogenarian who, although raised in Toronto, is now a beef farmer near Milton;
• A dairy farmer with a passion for classical music;
• A couple who grow vines for grape growers across Canada;
• A sixth generation farmer who hopes his children will be the seventh generation on their farm;
• Two farm families who emigrated to Canada from Holland because of the opportunities available to them here;
• Several farmers who pursued other careers (including journalism, horse training and international marketing)
before the lure of the land brought them home;
• And more!

Complimentary copies of the calendar will be sent as Christmas presents from Ontario's farmers to politicians, grocery stores, butcher shops and media. It is sponsored by many Ontario agribusinesses and commodity groups.

Due to increasing demand, 7,000 copies have been printed, more than double the 3,000 copies printed in the first year of the calendar’s release. Again this year, the calendar will be sold at TSC stores across Ontario this year. It is also available through the Ontario Farm Animal Council and AGCare office in Guelph, by using the online order form www.ofac.org or by calling 519-837-1326.

Established in the fall of 2010, the Farm Care Foundation funds educational and charitable programs that enhance public
trust and confidence in Canadian food and farming.

For more information:
Kelly Daynard, kdaynard@ofac.org, 519-837-1326 (office), 519-993-8634 (cell)

2012 Faces of Farming Calendar Participants
Media Information

Interviews with specific Faces of Farming calendar participants can be arranged by calling Kelly Daynard at the OFAC office, (519) 837-1326 or emailing kdaynard@ofac.org.

• 
  January Heiko, Wayne and Mike Oegema of St. Thomas (Elgin County) Sponsored by Turkey Farmers of Ontario
• February Cathy McKay of Port Perry (Durham Region)
  Sponsored by the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association
• March Jim and Rob Judge of Simcoe (Norfolk County)
  Sponsored by New Life Mills
• April Amy and Emmy Cronin of Bluevale (Huron County)
  (and cover) Sponsored by Molesworth Farm Supply Inc.
• May Darryl Drain of Tweed (Hastings County) Sponsored by Egg Farmers of Ontario
• June David Murray of Mitchell (Perth County) Sponsored by Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Limited
• July Wim Duizer of Woodstock (Oxford County) Sponsored by Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
• August Sandy Grant of Milton (Halton Region) Sponsored by Canada Beef Inc.
• September Jim Patton of Everett (Simcoe County) Sponsored by the Ontario Broiler Chicken Hatching Egg Producers Association
• October Erin Leduc of Moose Creek (Stormont County)
  Sponsored by Grain Farmers of Ontario
• November Andrew Campbell of Appin (Middlesex County)
  Sponsored by the Farmers Feed Cities campaign
• December Wes and Briar Wiens of Niagara-on-the-Lake (Niagara Region) Sponsored by RBC Royal Bank
• January, 2013 Stephanie Kowalski of Glencairn (Simcoe County) Sponsored by the Farm Care Foundation