​August 26, 2020
By Drew Spoelstra, Executive Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Ontario farms are places of business, where animals are raised, safe and sustainable food is produced, and where a living is made. But they are also homes, where families are raised, and children play. Ontario’s agriculture industry is experiencing increased incidents of trespass, with activists illegally entering property, barns and buildings, breaching biosecurity protocols, and causing significant disruptions to the entire agri-food sector. Once lawful protests have escalated to barn break-ins, theft of animals, harassment and threats, and large-scale demonstrations which go beyond peaceful protest. These actions put the entire food system at risk. Without a healthy and sustainable value chain from farm to table, Ontario’s livestock and poultry sector cannot survive, thrive, prosper or profit.
Individuals are entitled to their beliefs and have the right to protest. However, protests should never break the law, interfere with legal businesses, or endanger the safety of people or animals. In recent months, animal activism has escalated beyond peaceful protest. The rise in less-than-peaceful protests are cause for concern, as they not only threaten the personal safety and mental well-being of farmers, their families, employees, and the animals, it threatens the integrity of Ontario’s entire agri-food system.
Animal rights activism in the agriculture industry poses significant challenges down the entire value chain, including processing facilities, their workers, and livestock transporters. There is a real concern around processing plants, where animal rights activists stop livestock trucks, and create safety issues for all parties involved. Transport trailers are unable to quickly stop if someone suddenly blocks the roadway, and creates major safety concerns to the drivers, the animals, and the protestors. Activists enter the vehicle’s blind spots when they come up to the trailer and interfere with the animals, creating another safety issue as the driver cannot always see when they start driving again. Drivers face on-going abuse, including harassment, threats, and items being thrown at the vehicle and trailer. Not only do they affect the mental health of the transport driver, these actions can cause significant stress and harm to the animals on the trailer.​Lack of convictions and current fines within the judicial system aren’t acting as a deterrent. The new Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020 aims to do just that. The new legislation offers farmers, livestock transporters and processing plants new protections, and gives the judicial system new tools to address the extreme actions by activists aiming to end animal agriculture. The Act creates “animal protection zones”, which includes barns, livestock vehicles and processing facilities, and makes it illegal to enter barns or interfere with livestock transport without consent. The inclusion of designated animal protection zones will help to eliminate and reduce the risk of distress for farm animals and exposing livestock to disease and stress, as well as introducing contaminates to the food supply. Trespass protection is enhanced, with significant penalties for violations up to $15,000 for a first offence, and up to $25,000 for subsequent offences. Trespassers are also financially liable for damages as a result of their actions.
Comments and statements from those opposing the new act claim that it stifles free speech, impedes one’s right to protest and prevents exposing the abuse of farm animals. Concerns around the issue of animal abuse, and the ability and obligation to report such actions are entrenched within the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act, 2019, which came into effect January 1, 2020. Ontario farmers firmly believe in and advocate for the humane treatment of all animals, including livestock and poultry, and do not stand for animal abuse or neglect. The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020 acts as a complement to the PAWS Act, and together, these pieces of legislation ensure the highest standards of animal care, protect people, animals, and the province’s food supply, while respecting lawful and peaceful protests. The new legislation does a commendable job at accomplishing the needs of the agri-food sector to keep the farm and food supply safe across the province, and provides the necessary protection of Ontario farms, families, employees, their animals and the safety of the entire food system.
Farmers are an integral part of the food value chain. We stand firmly with our partners in the transportation and processing industries to maintain a safe and sustainable food system for all Ontarians.
Drew Spoelstra is an Executive Member on the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) Board of Directors. He is the Zone 5 Director representing the interests and priorities of OFA members in the region of Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth and Niagara.
For more information, contact:
Drew Spoelstra Executive Member Ontario Federation of Agriculture 905-379-5751

​By Paul Vickers, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Farm safety should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds while working on the farm every day. However, as we all know, unfortunate events still occur. It’s important to have professionals well-equipped and knowledgeable to handle those situations when they do happen.
The Bruce County Federation of Agriculture (BCFA) identified the importance of trained medical workers in rural hospitals and organizes an annual medical students’ tour. Since 2003, first-year medical students at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University spend a two-week placement in a rural hospital during their first-year studies. One day throughout the placement, BCFA works with a member of the doctor recruitment committee to tour these students around local farm operations and businesses. The number of students who participate vary. However, many local hospitals such as Walkerton and Chesley, are very committed to the success of the day.
On the full-day tour, the medical students will visit a dairy farm, a tractor dealership and a grain elevator before arriving at the local fire station for a series of presentations. Speakers include a local news reporter, a veterinarian, and a farmer who has been involved in a farm accident, which is the newest addition to the speaker line-up.
This tour demonstrates a broad range of hazards, such as working at heights at an elevator, handling and storing chemicals, dangers of farm machinery, working with livestock and zoonotic viruses (diseases that are transferable between animals and humans). BCFA hosts this event to educate students on the hazards that farmers and people working within agriculture face and to familiarize them with the different types of exposure and risks in rural areas.
Future doctors that can understand the additional safety risks within the agricultural sector, and who are prepared to treat farm accidents when they do occur, are crucial to rural hospitals. Rural communities need to attract and retain qualified medical professionals to ensure that rural Ontario is a safe place to live, work and raise a family. For Ontario to grow the agri-food sector, create jobs, and be competitive to stimulate rural economic development, we need the same high-quality services in our hospitals and schools that are available in urban communities
For many medical students, the farming sector is new to them, so this annual tour provides real life experiences and encounters related to farm safety and rural living. It also encourages them to consider the benefits of one day practicing in a rural area, where there is often a shortage of medical professionals. The BCFA tour for medical students could serve as a template for many communities across the province that are interested in attracting medical professionals to their farm and rural areas.
We appreciate the efforts of BCFA for organizing this annual tour and promoting farm safety within their community.
For more information, contact:
Paul Vickers
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-270-5098
Cathy Lennon
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883

By Tracey Arts, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Food Day Canada encourages consumers across the country to shop local and celebrate the abundance of fresh and delicious Canadian food and beverages we enjoy every day. Let’s connect the food we eat with those who grow and prepare it.
On Saturday, August 1, join in the Food Day Canada celebrations by purchasing locally grown and produced Canadian food to support your neighbouring farmers, your community and the local economy. When you buy local, you’re choosing fresh, safe and nutritious food that is grown right here at home. Many farmers’ markets are open on Saturdays where you can meet a farmer, talk to a local chef, and pick up ingredients for your evening meal. In Ontario, the diversity of our products is extensive as we grow and raise more than 200 different food commodities.
Food Day Canada recognizes that all Canadians have a role to play in the food supply chain, whether they are consumers, growers or producers. The initiative encourages butchers, hospitality staff, chefs, farmers, researchers, food influencers, and all other roles in the food supply chain to share their story and promote Canadian grown and produced food.
To coincide with the celebration of Food Day Canada, OFA released the Always in Season toolkit to provide resources, ideas and assistance to communities looking to support their local food producers and processors. Always in Season aims to increase local food sales, provide new opportunities for local producers for value-added agriculture, enhance agri-tourism and culinary tourism opportunities, and elevate the brand of local agricultural products.
The food supply chain has proven to be resilient and unwavering in its commitment to produce affordable, nutritious, high-quality food for Canadians, even in the midst of COVID-19. The global pandemic added pressure to workforce challenges in the agri-food sector, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada asked Canadians to Step Up to the Plate to help feed our nation. In an effort to provide our support and address labour shortages, OFA launched the Feeding Your Future initiative. The project aims to showcase the variety of careers in the food supply chain and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to pursue a career in the innovative and dynamic agri-food sector. Feeding Your Future’s goal is to ensure the Canadian agri-food sector can continue producing, processing, and distributing locally grown food, for Ontario and beyond.
This weekend, Food Day Canada will Shine a Light on Canadian Cuisine with buildings and locations across the nation lit up in red and white to honour Canadian farmers, fishers, chefs, and home cooks. Thanks to our growers, producers and processors, we are cooking healthier meals for our families. OFA is a passionate promotor of food literacy, and we encourage Canadians to know who grows their food, how to source it locally, and how to prepare nutritious and affordable meals. Six by Sixteen is OFA’s food literacy initiative and is a hub for resources including recipes that source Ontario-grown ingredients.
OFA is proud to represent 38,000 farm businesses that contribute to Canada’s safe, strong and reliable food system on a daily basis. We encourage all farm families to get involved, show their passion for farming and food and share their story as part of Food Day Canada. We thank you, our members, for dedicating your livelihoods to agriculture so Canadian consumers can celebrate what’s on their plate.
To engage and follow the festivities online, check out @FoodDayCanada and #FoodDayCanada or visit their website at fooddaycanada.ca.
For more information, contact:
Tracey Arts
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-521-0747
Cathy Lennon
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883

​GUELPH, ON [July 16, 2020] – The Ontario government announced some financial relief for farm businesses across the province today with a $50 million increase to Ontario’s Risk Management Program.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) recognizes and appreciates the commitment from Premier Doug Ford and the provincial government to invest in the agriculture and food industry. The increase in funding to the Risk Management Program will ensure it can adequately respond to market deficiencies and volatility.
“OFA is thrilled to see this funding increase that was originally earmarked for next year brought forward and made available to farm businesses during a challenging and tumultuous year for many farmers,” said Keith Currie, OFA President.
The Risk Management Program is vital in helping farmers manage risks outside of their control. Access to funding through the program can help farmers offset increased farm operation costs and market unpredictability.
“Today’s announcement from the Ontario government will help to provide the critical support the agriculture sector needs to weather the financial storm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated Currie.
Ontario’s program, which is administered by Agricorp, is available for eligible farm businesses in the grains, cattle, hogs, sheep, veal, and edible horticulture sectors. In order to qualify, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the program guidelines.
As part of the Risk Management Program, eligible horticulture producers have access to a Self-Directed Risk Management account which enables them to receive matching contributions from the Ontario government up to a maximum amount. The deposit maximum is based on eligible Allowable Net Sales.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 38,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario’s farmers and is Ontario’s voice of the farmer. For more information, visit ofa.on.ca.

By Larry Davis, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
In recent months, farmers and county federations of agriculture have banded together to show their generosity, spread positivity and offer support to their local communities across the province. Despite the extensive pressures and challenges faced by Ontario’s agriculture and food industry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it did not deter the agriculture community from continuing to find ways to help those in need and support our rural communities.
The nature of farming results in farmers being faced with tough situations on a regular basis. They’re forced to make difficult decisions that impact the future of their business. However, farmers have an innate ability to adapt, evolve and persevere through uncertainty, and the COVID-19 crisis was no exception. Farmers forged through spring planting season and a pandemic to continue producing healthy, safe and affordable food for all Ontarians. Their resiliency and optimism carried into new measures this spring, expanding beyond individual farm operations, with countless examples of community support and contributions across the province.
Media outlets featured stories on local federations collaborating with community members, agri-food businesses and organizations across the sector to spread goodwill and support those in need. Contributions included organizing tractor parade tributes in support of our frontline workers, generous donations of funds and surplus food products for food banks, retirement homes, healthcare facilities and assisting with the production of non-medical face shields and masks. On social media, videos were shared of donations being mailed to food banks, and photos highlighting pop-up events such as local food drives and county-wide non-perishable food collection days. In northern Ontario, a map that had initially been prepared for use at upcoming fairs and festivals promoting local food was distributed by mail as well as being converted into an online resource to promote direct to consumer sales. Local federation representatives also found new ways to make personal deliveries, donning masks and respecting social distancing protocols to express their gratitude towards essential healthcare workers.
Once the reality of the lockdown set in, the reaction from the agricultural community was swift. Farmers found alternative ways to pay it forward to ensure our healthcare system was supported and that Ontarians could rely on our value chain to keep food on their tables. County and regional federations focus a handful of their events and initiatives on in-person consumer outreach, as a result of the pandemic, federations were forced to adjust their efforts, allowing our members to act in support of our communities in new ways.
These local federations were not alone in their generosity as many developed new partnerships and alliances as a result of COVID-19. Agri-businesses, commodity groups, farm organizations, community associations and farm families have been donating their time, money, resources and support throughout this crisis. Meat processing facilities have been receiving meals from their local communities in a show of appreciation for their ability to keep fresh meat products on our grocery store shelves. Transporters have been recognized for their vital role along the value chain and retailers have been applauded for their ability to adapt and provide us with their frontline services. Agriculture at all levels has banded together to spread goodwill and positivity in a challenging time.
Earlier this spring, OFA launched the #OntAgProud social media campaign to share positive stories, recognize those involved in our dynamic sector and build pride in our industry. The efforts displayed by Ontario agriculture to make our communities stronger and more connected fit into this campaign seamlessly. Each example of community engagement stems from a time of uncertainty, but spreads optimism and hope throughout our rural communities.
We have all experienced the pressures, challenges and changes as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. However, the pandemic has also brought generosity, kindness and positivity to the forefront of our industry. Thank you to the members, federations and networks that have joined together to support one another and make our rural communities stronger.
For more information, contact:
Larry Davis
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-758-7693
Cathy Lennon
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883

​ 
By Jackie Kelly-Pemberton, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
Employers in the agriculture, food and beverage sector are looking for passionate, qualified candidates to fill diverse roles across the industry. 
 
While the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted a wide range of sectors with lost jobs and layoffs, the Ontario agri-food sector continued to employ over 837,000 people as an essential service to produce food for the province and beyond.
 
However, in order to keep the agri-food sector strong and reliable, we need a dependable workforce.
 
That’s why the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) partnered with industry stakeholders to apply for Canadian Agricultural Partnership funding to help bridge the gap and connect job seekers to the many opportunities available across the value chain.
 
The Feeding Your Future initiative has coordinated a support system to help make it easier for employers to find, train and retain the employees they need, as well as help employ Ontarians with meaningful jobs during COVID-19 and beyond.
 
The project includes a free job matching concierge service, nine virtual career fairs, a series of 10 webinars, and specialized training opportunities. 
 
Through our partnership with AgCareers.com and CareersInFood.com, the job matching concierge helps agri-food businesses set up an online account, post job openings and manage applications. Whether it’s a small-scale farm business operation interested in hiring one person, or a medium to large food processing operation looking to recruit several job seekers with varying skill sets, the concierge can provide much needed support. Organizations have the opportunity to post their production and support jobs affected by COVID-19 for free using the online code: AgriFoodONT20.
 
OFA is also collaborating with industry partners across the province to organize and host virtual career fairs, webinars and online training.
 
Feeding Your Future’s first virtual career fair was held on June 19, 2020. The event welcomed more than 100 attendees, visiting more than 20 exhibitors. Approximately 75 different positions were featured at the career fair, including exhibitors such as Scotiabank, Cargill, Dairy Lane Systems Ltd., Buurma Acres and LaSalle Agri.
 
The initiative has a lot of exciting engagement opportunities for employers and job seekers throughout the summer months. There will be two virtual career fairs held province-wide on July 8 and August 25 as well as regional career fairs in northern, western and eastern Ontario in August and September.
 
Throughout the summer, 10 webinars have been scheduled targeting both job seekers and employers in the agri-food sector. Topics range from how to land a job in agri-food, how to retain talent, ‘ask an employer’ panel sessions, and health and safety regulations to keep your essential workforce safe.
 
In addition to AgCareers.com and CareersInFood.com, partners such as the Ontario Agri-Business Association, South Central Ontario Region Economic Development Corporation, Middlesex Workforce Development Partnership, the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College, commodity partners, workforce and agri-food industry associations are key to the project’s success.
 
The Feeding Your Future initiative wouldn’t be possible without these vital partnerships and the support of the provincial and federal governments. We recognize the need to work together to address these workforce challenges and identify opportunities to continue to grow Ontario’s agri-food sector, which is the cornerstone of our economy. We know the dynamic and vibrant agri-food industry can be a solution to helping our economy rebound and recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
 
Together, we can help support employers from field-to-fork to fill labour shortages and encourage job seekers across the province to consider a career in agriculture and food.
 
For more information, visit ofa.on.ca/FeedingYourFuture and follow us on social media at @FeedYourFuture.
 
This project was funded by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
 
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For more information, contact:
 
Jackie Kelly-Pemberton
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
613-774-5914
 
Cathy Lennon
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
 

By Peggy Brekveld, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Essential foreign workers are valued members of Ontario’s farming community. Do you know them? These men and women are integrated into the fabric of our family farms, and in many cases, become an extension of our farm family.
For example, Marco is a married man, who goes to church and calls his wife every day. On the other side, Ricardo enjoys going to bars and clubs in his time off. These are two very different men with one main common characteristic, they are both professionals working in the agriculture industry. My son had the pleasure of working alongside Marco and Ricardo for a short time on a dairy farm in southern Ontario and built a positive relationship with both. For the purposes of this story, the names have been altered to protect the privacy and security of these men.
They were kind and showed my son what hard work looks like. They made him wish he had studied Spanish rather than French – although they did teach him a few Spanish phrases that should not be repeated in front of his mother! They shared a lot of laughs that went beyond language too. They are also migrant workers who chose Ontario as a place to live and work, to be able to send money home and create a better life for themselves and their families. And many migrant workers have chosen to come back year after year.
Trees are pruned, vegetables are planted, cows are milked, and vegetables are harvested – all because these professionals came to Ontario. The agri-food sector employs approximately 20,000 essential foreign workers on farms and in processing plants across the province. In my experience, farmers who hire migrant workers on their farms develop relationships and know these men and women on a personal level. Yes, they value their skills, dedication and work ethic. Yes, they have provided workers with housing and access to healthcare along with all of the other requirements. But it’s important to note, these farmers have also learned Spanish, celebrated birthdays together, and work hard to bring the same people back on an annual basis because they have built a relationship with each other. To these farmers, the men and women who come are more than just essential workers.
This year, during the COVID-19 crisis, we are also reminded of something else – migrant workers are ordinary people, no different than you or I. In the battle against a virus that does not discriminate between where we were born or what job we have, it has taken a toll on these communities. Farmers have worked hard to protect their health and safety. Working with the province and local health authorities to establish new health and safety protocols, providing our workforce with personal protective equipment, improving workstations, isolating as necessary and monitoring their health on a regular basis. And yet, the community spread of COVID-19 has still managed to land on our doorsteps.
On behalf of the agricultural community, we offer our deepest condolences to the families of the two young men who recently passed away due to COVID-19. I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for their families. We also hope and pray for all migrant workers who are fighting the coronavirus, wishing them all the best for a full recovery.
I recognize the story and experiences I’ve shared may not reflect the experience of every essential foreign worker, but I hope it sheds some light on our relationships with these integral men and women. We take the allegations that have been published in the news recently very seriously. As an organization and an industry, we will continue to work with the province and local health units to ensure the appropriate protocols are in place. Ontario agriculture depends on these valued members of the farm team, and there is a lot at stake. We assure you that the health and safety of all agricultural workers is a top priority across the province.
Simply put, migrant workers are more than just essential workers in Ontario’s dynamic agriculture and food sector. They are faces of our farming industry, integrated in our communities, and to a privileged few, they are friends and family.
For more information, contact:
Peggy Brekveld
Vice President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
807-707-2814
Cathy Lennon
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883

GUELPH, ON [May 26, 2020] – To keep Ontario’s food supply chain strong and store shelves stocked during the COVID-19 pandemic, employers along the agriculture and food value chain need support to recruit, train and connect workers to in-demand jobs across the agri-food sector.
 
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is pleased to announce the provincial and federal government’s support of OFA’s project proposal to rapidly develop a comprehensive support system for agriculture and food employers and job seekers.
 
“There is an ongoing need for workers on Canadian farms and across the agri-food sector, employing a wide range of skillsets,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This investment will support Ontarians to train and transition into these rewarding jobs and will help ensure that employers across the sector have the people they need to drive our economy and feed Canadians.”
“The Ontario government is committed to doing everything we can to support our farmers and food processors to meet their labour needs during this unprecedented time,” said Hon. Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “This project is one more way for us to invest in our farmers and the entire food supply chain so they can access the labour and training needed to continue delivering high-quality food to Ontario families.”
 
On April 17, the provincial and federal government opened a targeted intake for the Addressing Labour Supply and Training Challenges project category under the Place to Grow: Agri-Food Innovation Initiative.
 
The project, Enhancing Agri-Food Workforce Readiness Along the Value Chain, includes a job matching concierge, specialized agri-training, collaborative marketing, targeted regional needs, and rapid response initiatives to keep our essential food supply chain functioning.
 
OFA is partnering with AgCareers.com and CareersinFood.com to provide an enhanced job matching concierge for farmers and food and beverage processors to set up an online account, post job openings, and manage applications.
 
OFA will also partner to host virtual career fairs that dissolve geographic barriers, in partnership with several communities across the province. Beyond COVID-19, this platform will be particularly useful for rural and remote communities, where it can be difficult to congregate and recruit employees over vast geographies.
 
This project complements the provincial and federal government job portals; Ontario’s Agri-Food Jobs Portal and Canada’s Step up to the Plate – Help Feed Canadians initiative. These government portals provide excellent resources and websites that can be leveraged to streamline our efforts; ensuring the jobs are posted where job seekers will find them.
 
“We appreciate the government taking critical steps to support projects addressing labour demands and specialized training needs in our sector,” said Keith Currie, OFA President. “We are eager to work alongside our collaborative partners to deliver this project and bridge the labour gap in our industry, during COVID-19 and beyond.”
 
As the agri-food labour gap continues to widen beyond the current challenges of the pandemic, OFA aims to encourage those employed in the sector this year to consider their future prospects, with various educational opportunities for career advancement. The project will engage institutions that show leadership in agriculture and food education, and training to inform targeted program development and curriculum delivery.
 
OFA and our partners are looking forward to addressing labour challenges across commodities in every corner of the province to maintain a strong food supply chain through this pandemic. The agriculture and food sector is a driving force for economic recovery and renewal. For more details about the project, visit ofa.on.ca/feedingyourfuture.
 
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 38,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario’s farmers and is Ontario’s voice of the farmer.
 
This project will receive up to $396,000 in cost-share funding through the Canadian Agriculture Partnership, a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
 
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For more information, contact:
 
Keith Currie
President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
keith.currie@ofa.on.ca

Cathy Lennon
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
cathy.lennon@ofa.on.ca
​

​By Paul Vickers, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
The importance of farm safety cannot be overstated, especially during the busy planting and harvesting seasons. Across the agri-food industry, we’ve all been touched by on-farm accidents and injuries. While farmers across the province are working tirelessly to plan and prepare for the upcoming growing season, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) encourages everyone to make farm safety a priority. 
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges for communities across Ontario. As schools and childcare centres remain closed during the state of emergency, it means there will be an influx of children and youth around the farm as seed begins to go into the ground. When farm families are meeting to discuss daily or weekly farm plans, including a plan that identifies safe play areas and age appropriate chores can be a good way to keep kids safe.
In an effort to increase the importance and awareness of farm safety, OFA has launched a digital campaign sharing materials and guidelines from organizations and associations, like the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA), that provide practical hands-on resources to help keep everyone safe from planting through to harvest. With child-friendly videos from Progressive Agriculture Safety Days and training programs for young workers from Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, OFA will be providing conversation-starters to equip parents, family members and farm managers as the season unfolds. Having a conversation, educating and implementing preventative measures can be key methods to help keep everyone safe on the farm.
 
Utilizing suitable resources for kids, like the farm safety contract or toolbox talks published by CASA, can help to ensure all generations understand how to play safely around the farm. This year, communication, signage, documentation and frequent check-ins will be more important than ever. Ensuring that everyone on the farm team understands safety protocols and equipment, and that all generations are clear on their roles and responsibilities for watching young children throughout the day, will give everyone the necessary peace of mind.
 
The most valuable asset in promoting and implementing safety on the farm is the people. However, we acknowledge and understand the busy spring season is also accompanied with a heightened sense of mental stress and exhaustion, which at times, can result in accidents and injuries. OFA’s website and communications will also feature important reminders and resources for coping with exhaustion, maintaining mental health and options for reaching out for professional help in cases of extreme distress. To access these resources, visit ofa.on.ca/issues/mental-health.
 
As part of our ongoing commitment to promote farm safety, earlier this year OFA launched a photo contest encouraging members, their families and employees to submit photos that demonstrate and showcase safe farm practices on their farms and on the roads. We want to see farm and road safety at work on farms across the province. For more details about the photo contest, visit ofa.on.ca/photocontest.
 
As farmers, let’s all do our part to ensure families across the province have a safe and successful growing season. 
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For more information, contact:
Paul Vickers
Director
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-270-5098
Cathy Lennon
General Manager
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883

OFA Member Survey on Farm Business
Impacts of COVID-19 – Phase Three 
There’s no denying Ontario’s agri-food sector has been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis. Farmers across all commodities have been greatly impacted.

OFA has conducted two surveys throughout this pandemic to monitor the effects on the agri-food sector, our farm business members and to help guide our response. A benchmarking survey was launched in March, followed by a phase two survey in April. The input and feedback we receive through these surveys help us to better understand the ways in which we can support our members and the industry through these challenging and unprecedented times.
 
In Phase Three of our survey, we have included questions about employee training and knowledge exchange to better understand the challenges and needs of our membership.

The survey should take only approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Your responses will be kept anonymous and will only be reported in aggregate form.

For all the latest updates, information, announcements and resources on COVID-19, please visit OFA's central resource webpage at https://ofa.on.ca/covid-19.
 
Please click on the button below to complete the survey.
 
We appreciate your input and feedback during these difficult times.

 
 
Complete the Survey