Guelph, ON [January 22, 2018] – Farm Life Financial Planning Group (Farm Life) is the newest Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) benefit partner and offers a new farm management service to members – succession and continuity planning.
Farm Life specializes in empowering farm families to have courageous conversations about the future of their family farm. Farm Life works with families across the province to build continuity of the farm through succession, transition and tax efficient estate plans. The company’s mission is to keep farmers farming and to work with families through the succession process in a way that protects family harmony. “Farm Life is a great addition to our benefit partner lineup,” says Keith Currie, OFA president. “Many Ontario farms are multigenerational family businesses that are proud of their farming legacy. The services Farm Life offers can help farmers manage their businesses, keeping them sustainable and preserving proud traditions.” Farm Life’s exclusive offer to OFA members includes a complimentary consultation on the farm for qualified members, 10% reduction in succession planning fees, access to an annual workshop on continuity, transition and farm finances, and a complimentary annual check-in for the first two years after a member completes a succession plan with Farm Life. OFA’s Benefit Program is one advantage of membership, offering a wide range of services and promotions exclusively for OFA members that deliver value to Ontario farm businesses. OFA partners with 13 different companies that offer exclusive savings and programs on farm management, transportation, financial, communication, travel, farm publications and farm supply, hardware and clothing. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 37,000 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. -30- For more information: Keith Currie President Ontario Federation of Agriculture 705-441-3362 Neil Currie General Manager Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883
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By Keith Currie, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
As the provincial government develops its 2018 budget, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) offers recommendations on spending and investments needed to strengthen our provincial economy and benefit all Ontarians. In OFA’s pre-budget submission, we’re advising the government to shift spending by distributing economic development across Ontario. Ontario’s rural communities offer tremendous potential for the entire province and our economy. OFA believes public investment will strengthen rural communities with new economic opportunities for families. And distributing population growth can help solve current urban concerns like the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area’s (GTHA) transportation problems and soaring home prices. This year, OFA is recommending the Ontario government focus on rural Ontario in their 2018 budget. Infrastructure investments like widespread broadband, access to affordable energy with natural gas and increased social infrastructure including schools and medical care will attract new business and new residents. OFA has developed a campaign to secure a policy of distributed economic development through prudent public investment – Producing Prosperity in Ontario. And that’s the advice we’re presenting to government. Sound investments in rural Ontario will jump-start farming and overall rural Ontario growth. This will, in turn, stimulate the entire Ontario economy. Dr. David Freshwater recently addressed delegates at OFA’s 2017 annual general meeting, noting that investing in underperforming regions can provide a higher rate of return to society than simply abandoning these places. Rural Ontario is feeling abandoned, but it is the place with the most potential to deliver economic and social return to the province. OFA is partnering with organization across Ontario agriculture, asking for investments in the upcoming provincial budget to address the fundamental problem rather than just applying band-aids. With the proper investments, our rural communities will relieve the strain on the GTHA housing market and offer long-term economic growth. OFA strongly recommends the Ontario government work with municipalities across rural Ontario to develop and adopt a cost-effective infrastructure program including roads, bridges, drainage and broadband, and provide funding to rural municipalities to implement growth and economic development. It’s time Ontario adopted a new approach – a concerted effort to boost our rural economy through a planned program of distributed economic development to produce prosperity in Ontario. -30- For more information, contact: Keith Currie President Ontario Federation of Agriculture 705-441-3362 Neil Currie General Manager Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 By Jackie Kelly-Pemberton, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Farm Business Registration (FBR) renewal notices are in the mail for all Ontario farmers. That means it’s time for farmers to choose one of three general farm organizations to represent their interests, as part of the annual renewal process. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) knows Ontario farmers have a choice. We are honoured to be the largest general farm organization, through our long history of dedication to serving our members and representing the interests of more than 37,000 Ontario farmers. OFA is committed to a grassroots approach to farm policy and programs and to our rural communities. Every new and renewing membership in OFA helps us dedicate more resources to achieving better farming and rural community opportunities in Ontario. An OFA membership also includes access to OFA directors and volunteers that work on behalf of our members to secure sound agricultural and rural policies across Ontario. Dedicated Member Service Representatives are also available to work directly on issues impacting members at local, regional and county levels. All OFA members also have exclusive access to 13 partnering companies that offer special discounts and promotions through OFA’s Benefit Program. New for 2018 is a slight increase in annual FBR fees. Approved by the government in late 2017, the annual fee increases by $30 to $225 plus HST. This fee is collected by Agricorp each year when farmers register their farm business. Agricorp then forwards the fees to the farm organization chosen by each farmer as part of the FBR process – OFA, the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario and the National Farmers Union – Ontario. OFA is funded by membership support through FBR fees. Every new and renewing membership helps OFA represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. A membership means you’re among 37,000 other farm businesses who have committed to our mission of Farms and Food Forever. Thank you to all our members for your continued support. -30- For more information, contact: Jackie Kelly-Pemberton Director Ontario Federation of Agriculture 613-774-5914 Neil Currie General Manager Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 By Peggy Brekveld, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) begins 2018 with a clear set of priorities to drive our advocacy work throughout the year. The upcoming provincial election will drive much of our advocacy for the first half of this year, along with the other ongoing activities. Some of the issues we work on are ongoing, long-term projects, while others have shorter timelines. The common thread with all these issues is to advocate for the best interests of our 37,000 members. Here’s a look at some of OFA’s priorities for the year ahead. Our Producing Prosperity in Ontario campaign was launched at our 2017 AGM, and will be OFA’s focus for the 2018 provincial election and beyond. We’re focusing on how proper investments in rural Ontario and farming can offer economic and social solutions that will benefit the entire province. On the labour file, OFA will be working through the review of agriculture exemptions under the Employment Standards Act. The review hasn’t been scheduled yet, but it is essential to ensure labour rules continue to reasonably accommodate the business of farming. As well, the minimum wage hike remains a concern with our farm business members. OFA will continue monitoring the implications to the agriculture industry and report concerns back to the government. Federally, we’ll continue to closely monitor the impact to our members of the proposed federal tax changes to private corporations that were announced in 2017. Closer to home, we’re expecting an evaluation of the wildlife compensation program to be announced this year. OFA will be watching for the details of this program and implications to members. And considering the natural landscape that Ontario farmers live and work in, the environment continues to play a leading role in our advocacy work. The next draft of the soil health strategy is due to be released this year. OFA will be working through the details of the new draft strategy and providing feedback to the government. Water quality and management will continue to be top priorities for OFA in 2018 as we work with our partners in Grow Ontario Together on the draft Canada-Ontario Domestic Action Plan for phosphorus reduction. 2018 is shaping up to be another busy year for agricultural advocacy. OFA will continue advocating for the needs of our members on these wide ranging issues and priorities that impact Ontario’s agri-food sector. Happy New Year everyone! -30- For more information, contact: Peggy Brekveld Vice President Ontario Federation of Agriculture 807-707-2814 Neil Currie General Manager Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 |
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