"In The Wake of Walkerton - PEI's Proactive Approach" is the title of this year's Prince Edward Island Farm Women's Conference. To be held at the Loyalist Inn, Summerside on Tuesday, February 27, the conference is taking a proactive role in educating participants in the importance of on-farm food safety and water quality. "This year's conference is open to both men and women so that the information can be taken home and discussed around the kitchen table," says Janice Whalen, Conference Coordinator.
The guest speaker is Kelly Daynard, the communications manager from the Ontario Cattlemen's Association. She was responsible for releasing information to the media on behalf of the farmer involved in the E-coli contamination of the Walkerton drinking water. She will be discussing the tragedy from a farmer's perspective and examining the resulting implications.
Following Ms. Daynard's presentation, the Conference Planning Committee has invited three professionals to emphasize the importance of food and food production safety, while helping everyone to understand the basic concepts behind quality assurance. Joy Shinn is the Quality Control Supervisor for the PEI Preserve Company and she has been responsible for implementing HACCP, a universal quality control program, into their food production line. John Jamieson is the Canadian Quality Assurance Coordinator for the Prince Edward Island Hog Commodity Board. He is currently assisting hog farmers across the Island to implement a recording system into their operations to ensure safe, high quality pork. Beth Patillo-Lamb is a horticulture consultant who has Island clients that she is working with to develop quality assurance practices.
The camaraderie shared by Island farm women during previous conference's will be highlighted this year by a book launch in the afternoon. "Growing from Strong Roots" is a Millennium project which celebrates women who have made significant contributions to Prince Edward Island agriculture. Eric Hammill will be present at the ceremonies to make a few remarks and to launch this historical keepsake. The women honoured in this book have been invited as guests to share their memories and pay tribute to all women who have made agriculture the Island's number one industry. The book launch will start at 3 pm and will be open for all who want to celebrate their accomplishments.
For more information, contact Janice Whalen, Conference Coordinator at (902) 651-2167.