For the 2013 FarmSmart events the administration team are using the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association’s (OSCIA) online database management system, Cloverpad. The system has been working quite well, although we have been hearing of some concerns. The FarmSmart administration team have compiled this list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help answer some of your questions.
Q: Why do I have to enter my address information twice: once for the registration and once for the payment process?
A: While we know this may seem like a duplication, rest assured it is a security feature for you, our member and registrants. The information you enter as part of the event registration is maintained within our OSCIA database system, so that our organization and event administrators can access it for registration and event purposes. Once you proceed to the payment system, you have exited the OSCIA database and are now working through the PayPal system. Your administration teams at OSCIA do not have access to this information through this system. At PayPal they ask the information to verify that in fact the person using the credit card is the person to whom it is issued. While we recognize that the duplication may seem unnecessary, please rest assured that these measures are part of the layers of security features in place to protect you and your credit card information.
Q: The system seems to generate several emails per registration. Why?
A: The system is populated to generate email verifications to confirm that the transaction has been accepted. You will receive an email verification to confirm that your registration has been received and that you are registered (which we know is important to you) and the necessary paperwork you will need for your business and record keeping purposes: a) an invoice and b) a receipt, once payment has been received (either immediately if paying online by PayPal or upon receipt of payment by the team). By default the system was generating an email at the time the event registration was initiated. Your event administration team has turned this function off and emails are no longer generated to document the start of registration effort.
Q: How will registration transaction show on my credit card statement?
A: Credit cards processed through the PayPal system will show as “PayPal OntarioSoil”. Manual credit card processing will appear as “FarmSmart Caledon.” If you have any questions about your FarmSmart registration on your credit card statement, please email goldenhorseshoe.scia@rogers.com or call 905-703-0744.
Q: The system just doesn’t seem to be working for me. What are my other registration options?
A: The online system is available for those who prefer this type of registration system, however we know that some people still prefer the personal touch. The friendly staff at the ministry’s Agriculture Information Call Centre (AICC) are available to take your registration information. Call them at 1-877-424-1300 and they will be happy to help you.
Q: I want to register several people at once and pay for them all. Do I have to pay for them all individually on the online system?
A: We recognize the online system may take a while if you are making multiple registrations. For transactions involving multiple registrations we recommend you call 1-877-424-1300 for registration purposes.
