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EDUCATING CONSUMERS Nicole Swain’s passion for public education earns her the “Farm Connections Leadership Award” What's the real story about GMO’s? How does the dwindling bee population affect our food sources? What's organic farming really all about? Nicole Swain is dedicated to providing answers and information about these examples of current is- sues in agriculture. Public education is Nicole Swain’s passion, and that’s what won the Blackstock farmer The Farm Nicole Swain is presented the “Farm Connections Leadershij Connections Leadership award. Award” from Cheryl Timbers, manager of the TD Bank branch in “It’s all about people having a relationship with Port Perry. Photo courtesy Bruce Sargeant the farmers who grow their food, and knowing where their food comes from,” Nicole explained. “Consumers at the grocery store are so far removed.” _ she’s a Director on the Durham Farm Fresh organiza- Nicole teaches chemistry, biology and special tion. She has organized workshops to educate teachers education at Donald A. Wilson Secondary School in on agriculture, and she pulls together resources for them. Whitby. A mother of two, she’s also active with her The student programs are designed to fit into their science husband Scott, and her in-laws Don and Louise, at curriculum. their fourth generation family farm in Blackstock. It’s “Public education is important, because we really want a beef and cash crop operation. to help develop educated consumers who can effectively Nicole shares her knowledge about agriculture understand the issues in the news — not just jump ona by presenting workshops through the Durham Farm —_ bandwagon if they see something on a Facebook post,” Connections High School Program. She’s the Com- Nicole said. “Farmers are doing good work and we want mittee Chair of this program, which she founded to get the message out.” eight years ago. Nicole is also a volunteer for the While the high school program is held in the classroom, Durham Farm Connections Grade 3 Program, and the Grade 3 Durham Farm Connections program is staged Mattress and Much More would like | TIME FOR A NEW to introduce to the Family R4- Sealy Posturepedic Adjustable Base with the Infuse Hybrid Mattress Queen Set _ “eal (Reg. $3080) Delivery Available 34 FOCUS - JANUARY 2015