Posted on 15 March 2021 in OFA Viewpoint Mark Reusser, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Each year, farm leaders, industry stakeholders and government officials gather together to discuss key issues and priorities impacting Canadian agriculture at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) Annual General Meeting. This year’s event, although virtual, offered the chance to highlight Canada’s agri-food sector, its contributions to the national economy and opportunities for economic growth. As a Director for both the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and CFA, I am always astounded by the similarities farmers across the nation share. CFA’s virtual AGM created a wonderful medium for farmers with geographical and political differences to come together to learn that many of us face similar hardships. The AGM provides an opportunity to highlight these key issues and the chance to understand the unique needs and differences of each province. This understanding allows us to work together as a united front to evoke positive change for Canada’s agri-food sector. OFA is proud to be an active member of CFA, and work collaboratively to enhance the business of farming and produce prosperity for farmers nationwide. Annually, OFA board representatives participate in the meeting as delegates to engage in conversations on key priorities and vote on resolutions affecting the Canadian agri-food sector. This year, OFA took the opportunity to bring six young farmers and local leaders from across the province to join the organization at the annual meeting. It was a fantastic opportunity, not only for OFA, but also for the young farmers involved as they had the chance to observe, engage and get a better understanding of OFA’s involvement on issues at the federal level. Identifying young leaders in the agriculture community is extremely important, and I believe that it’s our responsibility to cultivate potential leadership when it is present. The agriculture industry thrives on strong leadership and OFA continues to prioritize succession planning and recruitment. We actively recruit individuals that showcase those skills and qualities to participate in meetings, campaigns or advocacy activities at the local, provincial and federal levels. Resolutions are a vital way for delegates to advocate for sector improvements and vocalize needs. This year, OFA brought forward three resolutions pertaining to Private Grade Crossings, the Fisheries Act and the need for incentive programs for soil health and sequestration. We were very happy with the outcomes of our resolutions, as it was a big win for our organizations. CFA delegates voted to have OFA’s Private Grade Crossing resolution referred to a committee; OFA’s Fisheries Act exemption resolution was carried with 98.51% in favour; and OFA’s resolution on soil and sequestration incentive programs also carried with an amendment to reflect both the current and successor policy framework. We received positive outcomes with respect to our resolutions and believe their future implementation will greatly benefit our farm families and their businesses. Another main priority for our organization is farmer mental health. Annually, CFA awards a recipient with the Brigid Revoire Mental Health Award. We were pleased to see that Deb Vanberkel, OFA’s nominee, had been awarded this honour and recognized for her tremendous work on mental health. Vanberkel has been a champion for farmer mental health and is one of the founders of the Farmer Wellness Program, which is promoted in multiple eastern counties. The Farmer Wellness Program, which launched in February of 2019, was created to support the mental well-being of farmers by providing access to initial counselling sessions free of charge. Another highlight of the meeting was seeing OFA’s former President, Keith Currie, re-elected as 1st Vice President of CFA. Currie is a proven leader and has been a critical contributor federally and provincially. We know that he will continue to excel in his role and look forward to his future contributions to Canadian agriculture. As always, OFA appreciates the opportunity to represent the best interests of our membership at the federal level. We will continue to advocate on behalf of our 38,000 farm families and look forward to another year of creating a stronger, united industry that will benefit Ontario farmers. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected]
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Posted on 8 March 2021 in OFA Viewpoint Keith Currie, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture As we approach the one-year mark of living this virtual lifestyle, access to fast, reliable broadband continues to be a hot button issue for many farmers and rural residents. People have adapted to working from home, learning from home, delivering e-commerce platforms from home and even participating in recreational activities from home. The world has changed drastically to rely on virtual platforms that require reliable internet. For those with a strong connection, adapting to virtual platforms was a relatively seamless transition with the biggest challenge being how to navigate and understand ZOOM, Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom or some other platform. However, many living in rural communities with limited or no access to reliable internet, have faced significant challenges when logging on to the virtual world. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) believes access to fast, reliable and affordable internet is a necessity in our modern world and needs to be considered an essential service. Much like electrification in Ontario over 80 years ago, broadband expansion must be a prioritized and rapid process. OFA has advocated for the expansion of rural broadband for years. It has been a key pillar of our Producing Prosperity in Ontario campaign that was initially launched ahead of the 2018 provincial election. Prior to the Producing Prosperity initiative, OFA put a spotlight on rural communities and shortcomings related to accessible broadband as part of a 2015-member survey. As we fast forward to today, farm businesses and rural communities continue to struggle to find internet capable of supporting their needs. Results from OFA’s recent 2020 broadband survey reflect the growing frustration of Ontario farmers. Agriculture has rapidly evolved to embrace new technologies which allows Ontario’s agri-food sector to be competitive worldwide and produce food, fibre and fuel more efficiently. The implementation of technology such as robotics, sensors and GPS mapping require reliable connectivity to be successful. Rural demand for bandwidth is quickly outpacing the expansion of broadband infrastructure as farmers continue to increase the use of digital technology. Simply having an adequate internet connection is not enough to meet the needs and demands of running a modern-day business. Our members need speed, reliability and bandwidth that provides the ability to carry high loads of data to remain competitive in the digital world. Unreliable internet is more than an inconvenience in a year where internet connectivity is an essential service. OFA’s latest survey shows 62% of participants say internet outages are causing an inability to conduct normal business activities, which impacts productivity and profitability. In comparison to the 2015 internet survey, farmers that require stable internet to run their business has more than doubled. Additionally, 53% of survey participants have increased the amount of digital technologies on their farm, and this significant investment in on-farm technology is critical to the growth of the agri-food sector. Precision agriculture also relies on accessibility to fast, reliable broadband internet, which can increase our industry’s resiliency and mitigate the potential impacts of climate change. Still, 57% of survey participants admit unreliable connectivity has resulted in a delay or rejection of investment in precision technologies. For many farmers, the primary internet options available in rural areas do not provide a stable enough connection to run or manage digital technologies in their farm equipment. For the most part, we are lucky to have a stable connection on our farm in Collingwood, but an increase in heavy winds or snowfall can interfere with connectivity. We are also paying a substantial fare for an unreliable connection which is another major barrier to the success of our farm business. Unfortunately, rural residents often face competitive disadvantages when it comes to internet accessibility as there tends to be only a handful of service providers that cater to rural markets. Therefore, with limited options, the customer is at the mercy of the service provider when it comes to cost and delivery. More than 70% of survey participants reported they believe they are not getting sufficient value for the services they pay for from internet providers. In terms of satisfaction, a total of 75% of respondents indicated they are unsatisfied with options and accessibility in their area. As entrepreneurs, we can understand providers not wanting to implement more infrastructure on their own dime. Especially, when it does not add to their bottom line. Therefore, OFA continues to lobby both the federal and provincial governments to invest in expanded broadband for all rural, northern and remote communities. It’s clear that homes, businesses and farms in rural Ontario currently face a competitive disadvantage when it comes to broadband access and reliability in comparison to their urban counterparts. We hope to change that by continuing to lobby both the federal and provincial governments to invest in expanded broadband for all rural, northern and remote communities. To achieve sustainable progress, the key is to have a long-term vision that will provide the necessary infrastructure to deliver reliable internet for generations to come. The agri-food sector in Ontario is an economic powerhouse with substantial growth potential. To keep this sector profitable and productive, we need strong and vibrant communities with the infrastructure to support growth. Our sector grows job, contributes to economic productivity and produces prosperity for the province and the country. Our province cannot afford to cap the growth potential of farms, agri-businesses and our rural communities due to a lack of broadband infrastructure. These investments can help grow existing businesses, attract new companies and boost opportunities for regional economic development. Beyond our businesses, farmers are also humans that require social interaction and deeply care about their community. Isolation in rural communities has become much more apparent as parents struggle to work from home and youth try to connect with their teachers and classmates. Stable internet is necessary for connecting with the outside world, which in turn supports mental health. Internet has also become essential for online learning and virtual health care. Quality of life and education should not be compromised for those choosing to live, work and play in rural Ontario. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] Posted on 1 March 2021 in OFA Viewpoint By Jackie Kelly-Pemberton, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture As we balance lockdowns and restrictions, social distancing measures and stay-at-home orders, outdoor activities have become our only solace throughout COVID-19 and Mother Nature has provided Ontarians with a true Canadian winter resulting in sub-zero chills and large quantities of snow. This year’s abundance of snow in many parts of the province has resulted in an unprecedented demand for snowmobiles and trail permits. However, this newfound craze for recreational snowmobiling has also brought with it an increased level of frustration and challenges for our farming members. According to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), the trail network spans more than 30,000 kilometres across the province and includes agreements with 18,000 landowners. Ontario’s snowmobiling industry generates $3.3 billion annually in economic activity and supports rural communities through tourism, hospitality, food service and fuel. Last year, 88,000 permits were sold across the province and one OFSC representative referenced they’ve seen a 13% increase in permit sales in their district this year. The positive impact on local economies across Ontario is undeniable. However, it’s important to remember there would be no continuous trail network without farmers and rural landowners, Farmers rely on their land to produce food, fibre and fuel for the province, country and the world. It drives the profitability and sustainability of our farm businesses. While trail systems benefit the economy, the farmer receives no financial compensation. This is why the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) reminds all riders to be respectful while navigating the trails and that access to farmland is a privilege, not a right. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has repeatedly communicated that farmers’ fields are not for snowmobiling. They’ve stressed that farmland is private property and snowmobilers do not have the authority to access fields unless they’ve obtained permission from the landowner. It’s not only a trespassing offence, but it also jeopardizes the health and nutrients of the soil and crops beneath the snow. Additionally, fences, irrigation systems and other obstacles utilized in farming operations can cause serious harm to riders. The fear of being liable for injuries is a constant source of fear and anxiety for farmers and landowners. To help combat off-trail trespassing, OFSC launched the “Friends don’t ride with friends” campaign focused on not riding with people who trespass, disrespect landowner property, risk the safety of themselves and other rides or jeopardize the trail system. Anyone riding outside of the marked trails are trespassing on private property and endangering their own safety as well as the livelihood of the landowner. Any person riding without an OFSC trail permit is trespassing and anyone caught riding on a closed trail is also trespassing. OFSC remains committed to educating, informing and communicating about safe and responsible riding. The biggest issue for our farming community occurs when riders’ resort to trespassing on private property. Snowmobilers need to understand that when trails remain ungroomed, often times it’s for a legitimate reason. Choosing to bypass an ungroomed trail or cut corners is not a reasonable excuse for riding on farmland and causing potential damage. This year there have been recorded complaints of winter wheat being destroyed, significant damage to irrigation systems and farm gates being opened without permission. Maintenance and grooming of trails is left to the discretion of the local club and completely dependent on volunteer capacity and weather conditions. There is a distinct correlation between poor trail conditions and increased trespassing on farm property. When trails are closed, riders become increasingly impatient and ride them anyway, which not only worsens the condition of the trail but further delays the reopening as well. These individuals abusing the local trail system run the risk of losing the privilege for the whole community. An OFSC representative spoke about the organization’s efforts to improve landowner relations and recognizes that without access there would be no trail network. If the landowner has a signed land use agreement and continues to deal with trespassing, it is the best practice of the organization to install a snow fence, post additional signage or close the trail entirely. Many farmers are unaware of the process for filing damage complaints for trespass related issues. While we appreciate the local clubs that actively post signage where winter crops are planted and actively deter their members from going off the trail. However, additional communication with farmers and landowners regarding reimbursements for snowmobile related damages is imperative. There is a lack of understanding as to what the process is for reporting property damage and reimbursement, which has created significant concerns amongst our membership. Anecdotal evidence shows that in parts of southern Ontario, local clubs have worked with farmers and landowners to repay them for necessary damages. From crop damage to irrigation sprinklers, farmers have been reimbursed following issues caused by riders veering off the trail. But, it’s clear a knowledge gap exists. Increased communication needs to occur to address these issues to help keep everyone accountable. Volunteers at the local level are encouraged to develop relationships with landowners and keep communication lines open to ensure landowners know who their point of contact is when issues occur. We appreciate the efforts of snowmobile club volunteers and recognize them as the lifeblood of the local riding community. On behalf of all Ontario farmers, we encourage riders to enjoy this beautiful province while treating our land and the trail system with respect. Be safe, be smart and be considerate. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] |
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