By Crispin Colvin, Executive Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

As we gear up for Ontario’s Local Food Week, it’s important to reiterate the need for shopping local and supporting our rural communities and farm businesses. Local Food Week, which takes place from June 7–13, is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the bounty of fresh, healthy food grown, produced and processed right here in Ontario. Farmers work year-round to grow and produce fresh, safe and affordable food for all Ontarians to enjoy.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) encourages everyone to take a moment next week to pause and celebrate the strong, reliable and dynamic industry that is the agri-food sector in Ontario. It’s important to recognize all aspects of the food value chain that are dedicated and committed to ensuring consumers across the province have food on their plates that is proudly grown, produced or raised right here at home. When you support your local farmers, you are also supporting the jobs and employment opportunities the agri-food sector creates, as well as the economic growth and prosperity it contributes to the province.

Local Food Week is a celebration of all that is grown, produced and available in your area. Nothing tastes better than farm fresh produce, meat, cheese or eggs. That is simply only a handful of the more than 200 different commodities farmers work every day to produce. When you’re buying local, you’re also supporting farmers, food processors, local farms and businesses.

Oftentimes, when we see photos of local food, they frequently feature freshly picked seasonal products such as strawberries, sweet corn, asparagus or peaches. However, local food extends beyond fruits and vegetables. It includes a significantly diverse range of commodities from the dairy in your fridge to the deli meat in your crispers. Foods such as frozen vegetables, jams or canned pickles are all grown by farmers in this province and processed locally. It’s important for us to recognize the lengths in which agri-food workers go to produce a wide variety of delicious, high-quality products for consumers across the province to support a healthy lifestyle.

This year, in celebration of Local Food Week, OFA is promoting and spreading awareness about the importance of eating local through our various projects. A key priority for the organization has been the Six by Sixteen food literacy initiative, which aims to help young people plan and prepare six nutritious, locally sourced meals by the time they are 16. The focus is food literacy and making sure the next generation of consumers knows how to make healthy, nutritious food choices.

To further promote the importance of healthy eating habits, developing cooking skills and understanding how to plan and prepare meals, Six by Sixteen is launching a province-wide food literacy campaign focused on getting youth in the kitchen. The intention is to get Ontario’s youth and families to learn more about where their food comes from, how to cook and sourcing fresh, local food to support our farmers. The campaign was developed in collaboration with CTV Bell Media and will be aired across the province on CTV news platforms including television, radio and social media. Find recipes and more about cooking with healthy, local food at sixbysixteen.me.

Another way OFA is sharing their love for local is through our Always in Season project. OFA’s Always in Season project provides tools, resources and ideas for communities and organizations to celebrate their agri-food sector year-round. In celebration of Local Food Week, Always in Season has re-launched their I ❤️ local Social Media Planning Kit, provides free, public images for download to share and acknowledge the agriculture, food and beverage sector across the province. These visuals can also be shared throughout the year to show your support for locally grown products.

If you’re looking for ways to support Ontario farmers and the agri-food sector, start by filling your shopping carts with products grown, produced or processed in Ontario. You can also check out your local farmers’ markets, butcher shops and bakeries. OFA encourages everyone to take advantage of all the local food products and farmers’ markets available to you throughout this growing season. Celebrate the bounty of local with the best tasting food Ontario has to offer.
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For more information, contact:
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 ext. 218
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca

By Jackie Kelly-Pemberton, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
Fulfilling labour needs has been a longstanding challenge in Ontario’s agri-food sector. It requires priority focus on skills development and training, along with access to skilled workers to help fill chronic labour shortages. When the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and community partners launched Feeding Your Future last year, it was in response to a direct need that had been amplified due to COVID-19. Now a full year later, Feeding Your Future continues to address labour shortages by making it easier for employers to find, train, and retain the workers they need, and help employ Ontarians with meaningful jobs in agri-food.
 
The Ontario government and the Government of Canada have provided their stamp of approval and will amplify the success of this project by providing a funding extension to the initiative through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The project, which was initially funded until March 2021, will now move forward until March 2022. With the pandemic crisis still in full force, this announcement comes as positive news for farmers, agri-business employers and any job seekers still searching or struggling to find meaningful employment. OFA and community partners now have the opportunity to continue building relationships and initiatives that will carry on beyond the pandemic in the hopes of leaving a lasting impact on the agri-food sector.
 
The entire food value chain relies on people to fill planting, production, quality control, processing, and distribution roles to keep the agri-food system strong and viable. To alleviate immediate stress and support employers in addressing chronic workforce needs, services were developed in partnership with AgCareers.com and CareersinFood.com including a job matching concierge, virtual career fairs and informative webinars tailored to employers and job seekers. These events provided an opportunity for employers and job seekers to connect directly and engage in a virtual format.
 
With the project extension and a roadmap for the future in place, dates have been set for upcoming free career fairs and webinars. The first virtual career fair of 2021 launched on May 19 in Southwestern Ontario, with upcoming fairs in East/Central/Northern Ontario on June 2, and spanning province-wide on June 16. Leading up to harvest season, there will be three more career fairs on August 18, August 25, and September 9. If you would like to exhibit for free or know of job seekers looking for work, full details and registration can be found online at feedingyourfuture.ca.
 
In terms of a lasting approach, several training opportunities have been developed with strong community partnerships. To celebrate Ontario commodities and draw attention to roles that support these operations, a Focus on Food and Focus on Livestock video series was launched with the South Central Ontario Region Economic Development Corporation (SCOR), Beef Farmers of Ontario, Berry Growers of Ontario, Ontario Apple Growers, Ontario Pork and Grain Farmers of Ontario. This quick training series offers exposure to Ontario farm operations for those who may be unfamiliar with the sector.
 
As farmers, we need to recognize that experienced farm employees are in short supply. We need to look outside our own echo chamber, to a larger demographic, willing to step in and fill the important positions we’re looking for. In collaboration with the Business Development Centre at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, we developed a training certificate for new farm workers. The Ontario Agriculture Safety and Awareness Certificate is offered to those who are new to agriculture but nonetheless, can play a vital role in supporting the sector. Luckily for us, more people are gaining significant interest in where their food comes from and how it’s produced. Let’s use that to our advantage when it comes to filling vacancies in agri-food.
 
The training certificate also compensates for the lack of in-person training available during the pandemic. It provides the opportunity to introduce the basic skills and awareness needed on a farm in a highly effective virtual format. We are working to expand the number of modules in this program for 2022.
 
Collaborating with established academic institutions creates the opportunity to reach a wider audience that is searching for a career and allows these initiatives to continue beyond project funding. While continuing our partnership with the Business Development Centre, we are exploring more online training opportunities with Algonquin College to complement our current offerings. OFA was also pleased to partner with Conestoga College on a pilot project for the new Agricultural Equipment Operator Program. This program will provide students with training to continue meeting the needs of the agricultural sector. Keep an eye on our website for future agri-training announcements.
 
OFA is proud to be a part of the Ontario government’s strategy to build the growing labour force and equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to strengthen the sector. We greatly appreciate their recognition and acknowledgement of the work that has been done with this project, and thank our provincial and federal policymakers for instilling confidence in the future of this initiative.
 
For more information, contact:
 
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 ext. 218
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca
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By Louis Roesch, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

The pandemic has fostered many firsts, especially when it comes to virtual learning and engagement. For the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), that came in the form of our first ever Research Day. The event provided the organization an opportunity to share updates, information and progress on projects and initiatives we’re directly involved in.

OFA is proud to work with many collaborative partners on key challenges and issues facing Ontario farmers. The inaugural event garnered the attention of 168 attendees, comprised of members, industry stakeholders and government representatives. We were pleased to see the participation of our memberships during a very busy time of year for farm businesses. This day was an opportunity to educate, inform and engage attendees on current research projects in a presentation, Q&A style format.

In a busy and ever-evolving sector, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest research and technology developments. Research Day was an opportunity to provide insightful and valuable sessions to members in a transferable way that shares knowledge and data collected from these projects that can be easily retained. OFA hosted eight sessions in total, and attendees were welcome to come and go throughout the day based on personal availability and interests. Sessions covered environment and climate change, farmland values, agriculture financial assessments, mental health and wellness, and skilled labour.

Dr. Franco Berruti delivered the opening session on the thermochemical conversion of waste. Dr. Berruti’s research through Western University facilities, is funded and supported by OFA as a partner on the advisory committee. This session highlighted economic and environmental opportunities that farmers can pursue in the future to reduce their carbon footprint. Dr. Amar Mohanty, a research chair in Sustainable Biomaterials at the University of Guelph, delivered a similar message with the concept of biodegradable bale wraps. OFA supports this research of the alternative use of plant material for bale wraps as opposed to plastic to reduce farm waste.

Charles Lalonde carried the theme of environmental stewardship through the two sessions he led. The first discussed phosphorus runoff through the Thames River that has contributed to the growth of harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. The Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Collaborative (PRC) is administered in part by OFA and includes Mark Reusser, Vice President as Co-Chair of the collaborative. Thames River PRC aims to provide members with the tools and knowledge to significantly improve the state of water in our Great Lakes. On our farm near Chatham, Ontario, we host one of the testing stations and we want to share these efforts so more members know what is going on behind the scenes. The research into different technologies that intercept and extract phosphorus from runoff will continue over the next two years. Charles also discussed the new Resilient Fields app, funded in part by OFA. This tool is supported to provide farmers with the resources to implement sustainable cropping solutions with the help of industry experts.

These sessions segue into the financial assessment on the federal carbon tax delivered by Dr. Al Mussell, Founder and Research Lead of Agri-Food Economic Systems. OFA hired Dr. Mussel to measure the carbon footprint of Ontario farmers, and determine if this matches the tax burden imposed on farmers. OFA was pleased to share the cost and analysis report with members and industry stakeholders in an effort to illustrate the financial impact the carbon tax will have on our farm businesses. Professor Brady Deaton, from the University of Guelph, also provided an assessment on farmland rental values. This data has been collected through surveys distributed by OFA over a five-year period to fill a knowledge gap. We generally have a lot of data on farmland value, but this data collection provides insight and helpful information for members that are renting land or rent land to others.
OFA staff, Janine Lunn and Peter Sykanda, hosted a discussion surrounding the ongoing mental health initiatives that OFA is involved in. Mental health and wellness continues to be a key priority for the organization, and working with strong community partners has allowed us to move from advocacy and awareness to action. The ‘In the Know’ mental health training sessions and the Farmer Wellness Program are supported by OFA. Both of these initiatives provide members and rural communities with resources and training tailored to the farming population to be more accessible, relevant and affordable.

The Feeding Your Future initiative was established by OFA shortly after the onset of the pandemic as a response to labour shortages on farms across Ontario. Staff members, Danielle Collins and Michelle deNijs shared many opportunities available for agri-food employers to connect with job seekers. To ensure new hires are suitable for Ontario farm operations, there is a Worker Safety and Awareness Certificate available at a discounted rate.

We thank all members, industry stakeholders and government representatives for joining us and engaging in OFA’s inaugural Research Day. It was a great opportunity to educate and ensure our members are aware and knowledgeable about the projects and initiatives OFA is working on for the betterment of agriculture.
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For more information, contact:
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 ext. 218
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca

By Peggy Brekveld, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Queen’s Park certainly looked different for this year’s Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) virtual lobby day. Many OFA directors fed animals the morning of our meetings, and a few even logged on from their farm shop. Wherever we joined from, our Zoom squares were hopping as we engaged with MPPs and their staff over two days. Meetings like the ones we participated in matter so much. While most farmers were in tractors or greenhouses or working with cattle, growing food for all Ontarians, your elected OFA Board of Directors were sharing how agriculture is managing the COVID-19 crisis and how we will continue to grow food for consumers beyond this pandemic.

Our board is dedicated to ensuring agriculture’s priorities and untapped economic potential is at the forefront of the minds of our government policymakers as they move forward on the road to recovery. The key messages brought forward over two days of virtual conversations included addressing continued rural infrastructure investments, farmland preservation, vaccinations for farmers and agri-food employees, mental health and skilled labour. Board members engaged with a compilation of 22 Ministers, MPPs and government representatives to discuss how we can work collaboratively to create a strong future for the agri-food sector.

Throughout the pandemic, the ability for other sectors to produce goods and services were hindered, with some production lines coming to a complete standstill. However, the agri-food sector remained strong, resilient and continued to feed Ontarians. OFA believes that sound investments in rural Ontario, such as broadband, natural gas and roads and bridges, will boost farming, agri-business and rural growth. In turn, our sector will pay back the investment in tenfold by stimulating the entire provincial economy.

Protecting farmland continues to be a main priority of our organization as we work to secure Farms and Food Forever. The harsh reality is that Ontario farmers cannot farm without farmland. OFA brought forward strategic work plans that guide responsible development and permits growth while protecting productive farmland. Agricultural lands are a finite and shrinking resource that we need to protect to ensure the family farm exists for generations to come, and to allow consumers the ability to fill their plates with high-quality food grown right here at home.

Another pressing issue brought to the virtual table was the continued struggle to find skilled labour. Data from the 2018 provincial agriculture employer survey conducted by the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) reported that 46% of Ontario farmers could not find enough workers, and 58% experienced shortages resulting in a loss of sales. COVID-19 has magnified and intensified these workforce challenges. If the issue isn’t addressed, it is predicted that over the next decade more than 2-in-5 agri-food sector jobs will remain vacant.

Ontario’s agri-food sector is a leading economic driver for the province, contributing $47.3 billion in GDP and employing more than 860,400 Ontarians. Building on the success of our sector depends on our access to a skilled workforce.

Agriculture and the production of food products is essential. The agri-food supply chain produces perishable items and the shutting down of processing plants and delays in the planting and harvesting of crops can have detrimental effects on the supply chain. During OFA’s lobby day, our board heavily emphasized the vital need for vaccines for the agricultural community. OFA also encouraged the government and public health units to ensure the process and portals for vaccine booking are simplified and seamless for farm workers to easily schedule appointments.

The pandemic has brought many changes to our everyday lives and the roller coaster of uncertainties has increased the level of pressure and stress in our families, businesses and on our farms. We recognize that many of our members are struggling and mental health continues to be top of mind for OFA’s advocacy and outreach efforts. We will continue to advocate for the expansion and accessibility of mental health programs and support for the agriculture industry and rural communities.

OFA is appreciative to all government policymakers and staff who took time out of their busy schedules to engage in conversations about strengthening Ontario’s agri-food sector. We appreciate your ongoing commitment to ensuring our food supply chain remains strong.

Finally, I would like to give a personal shoutout to you – our members – for sending amazing grassroots representatives to join the OFA board for these meetings. Our two guests, Ethan Wallace and Ashley Knapton, were professional and eloquent as they participated in engaging conversations. They each understood the needs of Ontario farmers, and spoke well on your behalf. The entire team was amazing. I am proud to be a part of our OFA team.
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For more information, contact:
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 ext. 218
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca

Mark Reusser, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
Trespassing on farm property continues to be an ongoing concern for many of our farmers across the province. As the warm weather arrives, farmers often deal with an increased number of off-road vehicles and rural trail hikers roaming the countryside.
 
With nearly 20,000 kilometres of trails in Ontario attracting thousands of visitors every year, it’s vital that trail users respect the rights of Ontario farmers and their land. What many individuals fail to realize is that our farms are also our homes. They’re where we raise our families, spend our time and make our living. Acts of trespass pose a serious threat to our families, employees, the integrity of our land and the health of our livestock. 
 
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is reminding all Ontario farmers to be aware of growing threats and to take precautions to prevent or mitigate the consequences of trespass that threaten regular farm activities, our family and employees’ sense of security and our livestock’s well-being.
 
Recently, OFA received a resolution from the Dufferin Federation of Agriculture, voicing concerns regarding ongoing issues with drivers and operators of ATVs, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles trespassing on private farm property. In many cases, incidents like this have the potential to put our families, employees and livestock at great risk, and can have detrimental effects on our crops, land and livelihood.
 
Anyone entering private property without legal authority or permission from the occupier is trespassing. If they fail to leave upon being asked to do so, they can be found guilty of an offence under the Trespass to Property Act. Examples of individuals who have the authority to access farm property without explicit permission include land surveyors, utility meter readers, building inspectors, public health inspectors and conservation authority staff. If in doubt, ask the person for their identification and authority to enter your property.
 
OFA has developed a variety of resources to share helpful tips and considerations that farmers and rural landowners can use in dealing with trespassing issues. We encourage all farmers to be aware of the resources available to them, and act in a proactive manner to avoid further damage or threat to their land.
 
OFA is encouraging all farmers to be prepared for unwanted visitors by posting ‘No Trespassing’ signs, or any other necessary biosecurity signs to clearly mark private property and biosecurity areas. Ensure that you remove any keys from your tractors and equipment and lock all building doors and vehicles. It is also important to train your family and employees on how to properly respond to unwanted visitors and situations that would require contacting the police.
 
More than ever, OFA has been focusing on raising awareness by working with local OPP units to further educate responders on the provisions proclaimed in the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020 (STPFSA). The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act offers farmers, livestock transporters, and processing facilities new protections, and provides the Ontario judicial system additional tools to address direct threats to the food system associated with trespassing.
 
This past year, OFA has reached out to multiple police departments to discuss ways to prepare members to report and address unwanted trespass, and how to support police in communicating and implementing effective approaches to the mandates of the STPFSA. We encourage all members to utilize their resources and engage law enforcement in any situations of trespassing on farm property. With strong enforcement of STPFSA by police and the support of the courts, we will be able to keep our food supply chain, loved ones, agri-food workers and livestock safe from harm.
 
To learn more about the cost and availability of OFA’s ‘No Trespassing’ or biosecurity signs, members can contact their local Member Service Representative. Find the MSR in your area at ofa.on.ca/msr.
 
OFA will continue to advocate for the protection of farmland, and the safety and security of their farms, families, employees and livestock.
 
For more information, contact:
 
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 ext. 218
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca
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By Teresa Van Raay, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
A truth that is deemed to be universal, is the fact that the most valuable resource of any business is the people. Regardless of technology, automation or other means, human capital remains essential in ensuring the continued production of high-quality food, fibre and fuel. The entire food value chain relies on people to fill planting, production, quality control, processing and distribution roles to keep the agri-food system strong and viable.
 
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the struggles of Ontario’s agri-food sector to attract and retain people to fill job vacancies. The Canadian Agriculture Human Resource Council (CAHRC) identified key vulnerabilities within the industry as part of its recent report titled, Understanding the Effects of COVID-19 on Canada’s Agriculture Workforce. The report offers key findings from research gathered over the past year, identifying weaknesses of current labour strategies within the industry. The data collected to compile the report came from over 450 farm operators across Canada between November 2020 and January 2021.
 
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) continues to prioritize workforce challenges and address the issue of labour shortages within the agri-food sector. This work is being done by supporting organizations that promote agri-food careers to the next generation, developing and launching the Feeding Your Future initiative, and lobbying the government for COVID-19 regulations that ensure essential seasonal workers and temporary foreign workers (TFWs) arrive safely and securely to Ontario farm businesses. Feeding Your Future aims to connect Ontario agri-food employers with Ontario residents looking for meaningful jobs.
 
Canada faced record levels of unemployment within the first few months of the public health crisis with around three million Canadians losing their jobs between February and April of last year. Still, agriculture employers struggled to find workers as 41% of employers surveyed could not find enough employees to fill their vacancies, and 86% of respondents believed this to be a direct result of COVID-19.
The delayed arrival or absence of temporary foreign workers in 2020 was the first shock to the agri-food sector as it left many farm employers scrambling to source local labour on short notice to ensure the planting and harvesting of spring crops was completed. It is estimated that employers were unable to fill 1 in 5 TFWS they would usually employ.
 
Canadian farmers, especially those in the labour-intensive horticulture industry, have become reliant on essential seasonal and foreign workers. These workers come back year after year and bring expertise that only comes with experience. And yes, at times there is lack of domestic interest in farm jobs. The challenges of getting TFWs across the border was tremendous last spring and have certainly remained an issue in 2021. Additionally, providing accommodations to meet all the new regulations, requirements and extensive documentation became a significant financial and red tape barrier for many employers to secure the arrival of foreign workers.
 
Rural location, seasonality, wages and physical requirements are all key barriers to local recruitment. To support our garlic and the pork business, we have relied on a combination of local labour and contract farm workers. We did experience labour shortages this past year with our garlic harvest.
 
To fill gaps in our workforce, we were able to recruit local high school students. This experience was good overall and gave us hope for the upcoming future workforce. A number of these students will be joining us again this year. However, when hiring students or local labour a steep learning curve exists with the potential of a high turnover rate, impacting productivity.
 
Lower productivity, which is a direct result of labour challenges, has resulted in an estimated total loss of $2.9 billion in sales for farm businesses across Canada. More than 60% of respondents reported production delays which impacts the whole food system. For our pork business, we are very dependent on our processing plant to take weekly shipments. Plant closures because of COVID this past year caused havoc throughout the entire food chain. We have noticed however, that local sales are increasing because Ontarians have an appetite for eating local, want to know where their food comes from, and are making more meals at home.
 
The survey also noted that over 40% of employers expect a delay or termination of investments in their farm business. This poses a major issue because a lack of investment or expansion has the potential to impact the economic growth of farms and the agri-food industry
 
According to the data, the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) was relied on by 47% of employers. Farm businesses had to learn to adapt to virtual sales and curbside pick-up which has been met with internet connectivity and broadband issues in rural locations.
 
During COVID, an increased demand for local food means that more consumers are consciously choosing to purchase Ontario made products. This is welcome news for producers, but we cannot grow and raise our products without human capital. As employers adapt to the future and a new growing season, 53% of respondents are concerned about finding enough workers for the new year. Therefore, we must continue to invest in ways that attract and retain employees to continue to grow the industry.
 
The report concluded that industry stakeholders play an important role in attracting Canadian workers by promoting jobs in agriculture, improving broadband connectivity and providing education for Canadians who do not have a direct connection to the agri-food sector. Together, we can help support employers from field-to-fork to fill labour shortages and encourage our youth to consider a career in the dynamic and innovative agri-food sector.
 
For more information, contact:
 
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883 ext. 218
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca