HI and good evening … Beth here from Wellesley Fall Fair

Norma Bird from Wainfleet

Hi Everyone :)

Bev Uxbridge Fair

Hi everyone from Oro World's Fair

Good Evening everyone from Elmvale Fair

Good evening everyone from Kathryn from the Acton Agricultural Society - stay well, stay safe and stay cool :-)

hello from woodstock

George Araujo Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show!

Another "Hello" from Elmvale Fair

hello from Matheson Fair

hello from the Oro Fair

Those that have been tested if necessary can they be retested?

Moved to Port Dover in 2003. Great small town. Work as GM at The Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show in Simcoe.. 2 Daughters 18 & 21 a morning walk is Lake Erie waves on one side and Cows braying on the other. 😀

sorry that was a pm

If there are still gathering restrictions when it comes time for our AGM, how does that affect our status.

Why are improvement grants not available for Fair who do not own their buildings. We have needs like display cases etc.?

Can Fairs apply for Ag Exhibition Grant if they do it virtually this year

Madeleine you may have to take advantage of your District's zoom account for an AGM. If that needs to happen you will need to set some policies and procedures in place for voting.

Vince can you please explain how incorportation relates to Ag Societies?

under Ag Exhibition Grant can Rick talk more about grants for Farmstead Improvement Competition

some fairs have huge or at least large on going exspenses

Where do we find those Regulations? What is the OReg #?

How dose the membership number relate to Societies that ate not incorporated?

so are you suppling a grant for that?

I’ll confirm Judy, but I believe what Tobias is saying is that you can still qualify for the current grants if you hold an agricultural exhibition in some way, shape or form (ie: virtual)

Some of the larger fairs with active usage throughout the year are facing revenue shortfalls approaching $1,000,000 if large event restrictions continue through the end of 2020. The federal support so far has been loans that require debt servicing capacity to access (beyond the initial $40k) and most of us are charities and/or not-for-profits and by design don't generate large leverageable cashflows. Is there any consideration of providing support beyond the $5,000 grant? It won't cover one month of bare bones operating costs.

it is a serious issue, we need access to money

Is there any other grants or funding available through OMAFRA.

I would like to better understand the expectation to hold an agricultural exhibition given that our 2020 fair has been cancelled. We do not have the technical or person power wherewithall to hold a virtual exhibition

What does that matter what size of fair you are... we all have a heavy economical impact on our communities and expenses...

Ag Societies are unique entities and OMAFRA is our singular advocate that needs to be looking out for our needs. We are all very important to our rural communities.

How dedicated is OMAFRA in working for the 200+ Fairs across Ontario ??

Agree. with above. How is Ontario helping Agricultural Societies through this?

All Agricultural Societies in Ontario are incorporated under the AHOA.

Incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation.

I agree with George.... How is Ontario helping Agricultural Societies... on any other levels... ?

Agree with Harry and George. We need help over and above the $5000 max. especially those of us who own facilities and contribute significantly to the community.

Please repeat the name of that program

Fed Dev Ontatio is tapped out.

the question from Paul Ahrens was on behalf of Chesley Ag society

Yes it but we do not qualify for the programs.... here in eastern Canda.

Also our fairs also rely on other fundraising adventures that we are not able to have that support having a annual fair.

Thank-you Vince - we all must support your advocating efforts - I hope that OMAFRA listens...

Are you willing to promote the opportunity for a meeting between the Minister of Agriculture and the OAAS to have a personal conversation about the needs of our Agricultural Societies as being expressed this evening?

Ontario needs to look to the support that Alberta gives to their Ag Societies. And do likewise.

If OMAFRA wants an education someone should suggest they review my presentation from a couple of weeks ago.

If we are not bringing any revenue in at the fair, how do we hold a virtual fair and have the funds to pay out individual prizes? We rely on the gate receipts for this.

maybe instead of chats... how about how do you reach out the 220 fairs in Ontario...

One last thought that should be impressed upon OMAFRA - Ag Societies and the events at our facilities will be the last businesses allowed to start earning revenue again. We have no possibility of "Curbside". We have had no ability to continue earning revenue even at a reduced scale during the pandemic.

Vince: TIAO was given a grant from Ministry of Tourism to replace the membership fees they weren't going to get this year. Would OMAFRA consider keeping OAAS afloat in a similar way.

Thank you for another worthwhile meeting.

thank you for keeping the lines of communication open

Great meeting. One take away is that small fairs could form a partnership to do a virtual fair between them. Thanks for the opportunity. Cheers from Bobcaygeon fair

From Sharron New Liskeard Great meeting