By Peggy Brekveld, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Sometimes, you leave a meeting and think, “That was a great meeting. I am really glad that happened.” It can be an insightful comment, an engaged group of participants, action to follow up on, or confirmation the organization is on the right track. I had one of those meetings recently. Being at the helm of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), a president’s schedule would typically be filled with in-person speaking engagements, meetings, workshops and events. COVID-19 has unfortunately limited our face-to-face interactions and has put a pause on informal chats over a cup of coffee or a shared meal. Our connections have pivoted to virtual, but the goal of Farms and Food Forever remains strong, as staff and board members continue to work alongside industry partners and stakeholders advocating for a resilient and dynamic agri-food sector. With COVID-19 protocols in place, you may no longer see me shaking hands with politicians, but my days are still full of emails, calls and virtual meetings connecting with government representatives to advocate for a profitable agri-food sector on behalf of our 38,000 farming families, and connecting with members just like you. Although we remain physically distanced, our organization is committed to hearing from grassroots voices and wants to ensure local federations are connected to the work being done at the provincial level. This week, I hosted the first of two President’s Roundtables with the intent to have transparent, open dialogue with local federation presidents from across the province. The roundtable served as a virtual check-in to see how everyone is navigating the pandemic, keeping their membership engaged, and how OFA can offer additional support on current issues or priorities. It was an opportunity for county and regional leaders to ask questions, share concerns and engage in an open floor discussion. As an icebreaker, I asked each president to describe their county using three words. Recurring descriptors included active, dynamic, hardworking, innovative and diverse. The motivation behind the President’s Roundtables is to ensure local federations continue to thrive and grow during this challenging time and receive full support from the organization when resources are needed. Despite this busy time of year, county leaders were able to take a lunch break from the field with no additional travel time, to share their local activities and concerns. Some noted that while they also miss in-person meetings, the option for online gatherings allows for discussions on emerging issues without the logistical burden of scheduling farm tasks, travel and accommodations. It also allows for more flexibility in terms of having members log in and join from anywhere. With the click of a button on their laptop, tablet or smartphone, members can be connected to local federation meetings without the challenge of leaving the farm. A silver lining of the pandemic is that we can easily host roundtables on virtual platforms and have representation present from all corners of the province. There were 11 counties that attended last week’s roundtable and shared current county projects and initiatives during introductions. I was pleased to hear that many federations are currently working on farm safety initiatives, ag awareness projects and championing for agriculture through virtual presentations and meetings with all levels of local government. A shared point of concern during these conversations focused on how to contain urban sprawl, Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs), resisting the pressure to develop farmland and the re-zoning/classification of agricultural land. This recurring theme of concern fits the mandate of our recently launched Home Grown Campaign. The campaign aims to educate consumers on the detrimental impacts urban sprawl has on farmland and protecting our domestic food supply chain. To date, the campaign has received over 13,000 signatures from supportive citizens. Preserving farmland for future generations and protecting the domestic food supply chain remains a top priority for OFA. Based on the examples and concerns shared by county presidents in this first roundtable, we know there is a growing need to continue amplifying the message of farmland preservation. Whether virtual or in-person, connecting with our county and regional federations always requires an investment of time by our grassroots leaders. I appreciate the presidents who carved an hour out of their busy schedules to attend my first President’s Roundtable. We are pleased to have grassroots leadership that is strong and engaged. I look forward to hearing from more federations during our July 16 meeting, and hope to establish these roundtables as a recurring open dialogue event for years to come. 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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OFA targets leadership recruitment as a pillar for building strong organizations and communities6/21/2021 By Paul Vickers, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture What makes Ontario’s agri-food industry strong is the abundance of strong, confident and spirited farmers we have leading our organizations and businesses, striving towards building a bright future for the next generation. As an organization governed by grassroots, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) values the power of leadership. We understand the importance of utilizing the voice of our membership. OFA aims to develop leaders within our 51 county and regional federations, encouraging a new wave to pursue a role at the provincial level. OFA is committed to driving further success in our industry and rural communities by providing our grassroots with the opportunity to use their voice and evoke positive change for our sector. Each year, OFA works to identify and recruit new leaders during the nomination period for the open Zone Director positions across the province. With a rolling governance structure for director elections, five zones are up for election annually during the month of June. The position is for a three-year term on the Board of Directors, representing members in a designated zone. This year, nominations are open in Zones 4 (Elgin-Oxford), 7 (Huron-Perth), 9 (Dufferin-Waterloo-Wellington), 13 (Peel-Simcoe-York) and 14 (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell-Stormont). Nominations, which opened on June 1, will be accepted until June 25. All nominees must be active OFA members who reside in the zone. Through ongoing advocacy work with government policymakers and industry partners, our Board of Directors are committed to enhancing the agri-food industry, rural and northern communities, and the business of farming for all farmers in Ontario. Although it may seem intimidating, sitting on OFA’s Board as a Zone Director can be a very fulfilling experience for those interested in taking an active role in advocacy and using their voice to influence policy and legislation that will benefit the entire agriculture industry. OFA’s board is comprised of 18 dedicated, passionate and hardworking leaders elected by our membership to represent the diverse interests of our 38,000 farm business members. Each director brings their own unique voice and farm background to the table, offering a distinct perspective on issues impacting their local communities. When I joined the board in 2019, I was pleasantly surprised by the open-minded and progressive individuals sitting around me at the table. Our sector is extremely diverse and there is a benefit to being able to look at issues from all viewpoints. The responsibility of a provincial director is to attend 11 board meetings throughout the year, including a board tour in the summer (COVID-19 notwithstanding) and the Annual General Meeting in November. It offers the opportunity to engage federal, provincial and municipal policymakers and staff by participating in meetings, roundtable discussions and lobby day events on issues facing the agri-food sector and rural communities. Directors are given the chance to connect with grassroots members and industry stakeholders on key priorities and opportunities to grow our dynamic sector. This active role allows for collaboration with enthusiastic and passionate board members and staff to ensure the farming and food sector continues to thrive across the province. What initially attracted me to the role of Zone Director was my desire to learn and give back to my community. Through my leadership role in OFA, I was given the opportunity to serve agriculture in a different way by giving it a voice and striving to improve the sector for the next generation. Joining OFA as a Director is not only an exciting opportunity to work alongside knowledgeable, experienced, and motivated members of the board and staff, but it’s also the chance to represent your local farming community and positively impact the livelihoods of 49,600 Ontario farms. It’s a commitment that has the potential to benefit you and the agri-food industry. We all have a duty to make things better and try to improve the industry that gives us our livelihood and provides the province with food, fibre and fuel. If someone in your community embodies what it means to be a strong leader and has the desire to make a difference for the industry and their community, take the first step in filling out a Zone Director nomination form. For more information about the nomination and election process, please visit our website. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Drew Spoelstra, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Farming is often a family affair. As the saying goes “many hands make light work” and even the smallest of hands can lighten the workload. With Ontario’s extension of school closures and e-learning, farm kids across the province will be spending more time on the farm looking to get their hands dirty. For many, spending added time with family is welcome news. The farm is a place for life lessons, family time and the creation of memories that last a lifetime. However, the farm can also be a dangerous place with many hazards such as large equipment, livestock and busy driveways. As summer break approaches, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) wants to remind members to keep farm safety a top priority. With children spending more time on the farm, with limited access to friends and extracurriculars, it is a great opportunity to emphasize farm safety and teach children how to take precautions and identify hazards. Educating and reinforcing safe farming practices will ensure the safety of current and future generations. Farm accidents can happen within seconds, but they are less likely to occur when appropriate safety measures are in place. Regardless of the time of year and busyness, safety on the farm should always be a top priority. Currently, my wife and I have been running our farm and seed business with two small girls at home. Our priority is to raise our children in an environment where they can be comfortable around equipment and animals, while feeling safe playing in their backyard and experiencing all that farm life has to offer them. We hope to educate them on proper safety measures as they continue to grow and want them to internalize the importance of farm safety. One of our primary hazards is the large farm equipment entering and leaving the farmyard, especially during planting season. From the cab of the tractor, it can be difficult to have a clear view of small kids if they are too close. To mitigate the risk of any accidents, we remain very mindful of keeping an eye on the kids if they are outside or keep them inside for an afternoon if we know the laneway is going to be busy with traffic. Oftentimes, that’s the difference between keeping them safe and exposing them to danger. Additionally, children need to learn that they should never approach running or moving equipment. We know that kids get excited to see Mom or Dad pull in the driveway after planting with the big tractor, but keeping their distance is the best way to ensure their safety. As parents, looking out for our children’s safety is second nature. But it is also important to ensure your farm employees prioritize safety as well. All farm employees and equipment operators should be mindful of kids in the farmyard and drive slowly when entering and exiting. Before starting an ignition, circle checks should be performed on all equipment to ensure little ones are not hiding underneath or in a blind spot. For visitors that are not familiar with your farm, using “children playing” signage helps to communicate with input suppliers or maintenance workers to keep an eye out for kids when entering the property. It is also important to identify which farm jobs are safe for children to partake in and which ones put them in danger. We all want to spend time together in the barn, in the field, in the tractor and with the livestock. But some farm tasks require your full attention, which leaves children unattended. If we’re spending a full day riding through one field, without constant hopping in and out, the girls can ride in the buddy seat. If they are in the tractor, we make sure they are buckled up and know not to touch anything. Please remember that if your farm equipment only has one seat, it is not safe for the kids to tag along. This rule also extends to lawn-mowing equipment which can be just as dangerous as a large tractor. Each rider needs their own seat belt to be safe. When the farm demands your full attention, it’s okay to lean on your family and friends for support. They can help alleviate stress, pressure, and treat the kids to a special visit. It takes a committed team to make the family farm dream work. When accidents do occur, that are tragic and unavoidable, it is important to have a response plan in place. Take advantage of farm safety signage, training programs and safety resources. Farm 911 The Emily Project provides 911 signs to second entrances, uninhabited land and farmland that otherwise would not be quickly located by first responders. Losing a child is every parent’s worst nightmare and when tragedy strikes every second counts. Summer is best spent on the farm with your family watching the crops, animals and children grow. We wish all our farming families a relaxing, memorable and safe summer. For more farm safety resources visit https://ofa.on.ca/issues/farm-labour-safety/ For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] by Ryan Devries, DFA President June 7-13 is Local Food Week! It’s an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the abundance of fresh, healthy, affordable local food that we are privileged to have access to across the province. The Dundas Federation of Agriculture (DFA), along with the Dundas Dairy Producers Committee (DDPC), and the Dundas Soil and Crop Improvement Association (DSCIA), recognizes that many within our community need support and even more as the COVID-19 Pandemic continues a year later. The DFA, DDPC and DSCIA are helping to increase access to local food by giving back to our community. Today’s donations are of $500 from each of the local agriculture groups to Community Food Share. This $1500 donation is helping our community increase their access to local food while improving local food literacy. Our agricultural community encourages all to support local and encourage an increased use of local food by private and public sector organizations when possible, supporting our agricultural community today and into the future. Community Food Share would like to also remind our local producers that they accept fresh produce and will work with our farmers for any donations of beef. From left to right: Jane Schoones (Team Leader, Community Food Share), Brian Vandenberg (DSCIA President – Dundas Soil and Crop Improvement Association), Ian Porteous (DDPC President – Dundas Dairy Producer Committee), Ryan Devries (DFA President – Dundas Federation of Agriculture), Nick Thurler (DFO Board Member District 2 – Dairy Farmers of Ontario). Photo courtesy of Ruth Vogel (OFA Member Service Representative) The Farm 911 Emily Project was initiated to enable first responders to easily locate sites of emergencies in remote locations. The Project began following the death of young Emily Trudeau in 2014 after a farming accident. Special signage is set up at the entrances of vacant lots and farm fields to direct first responders to the scene of an accident.
South Dundas Municipality is offering the first 100 signs at the discounted fee of $75.00 (a limit of two signs per landowner will be available at this rate). 80 signs are still available at this fee, which is only available for a limited time. Signs will subsequently be available at $125.00. As supporters of the Project, the Dundas Federation of Agriculture highly encourages all farmers and rural landowners to take advantage of this opportunity and help prevent any future tragedies. For more information or to apply for signs, you can visit the Farm 911 Emily Project page on South Dundas' website, or call the Municipality office at 613-543-2673. |
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