By Keith Currie, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
It happens every year – the end of the calendar arrives sooner than we think. Just as we scramble to finish harvest and get winter wheat in the ground, it’s time to start making decisions for the next growing season. December always marks a good time to reflect on what’s happened in the agri-food sector over the past 12 months, and the activities the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has worked on for our members. People have been a definite highlight in my work at OFA over this past year. In my role as president, I have met with people and organizations across the province. I’ve toured some of the U.S. states with Minister Leal to help forge new relationships with U.S. farm leaders. And I’ve realized how important it is for us all to work collaboratively – within our industry, our community and with the entire province. OFA’s advocacy work puts us in touch with a broad range of groups, government and policy makers – with people that know a lot about our industry and some who know very little about what makes our sector a powerhouse in the Ontario economy. As farmers, we know that one of our primary jobs that we are all so proud of is that we feed people. We also feed the economy with jobs, innovation and opportunities. And that’s a message that I want to be sure everybody knows about. As we advocate for the issues that impact how and where we operate our farm businesses, it’s so important to look for common ground to bring a stronger, unified voice for policy and regulatory changes. OFA worked on a lot of files this year. Some we were able to open, address and close. Many of the issues we tackled operate on a longer-term schedule, like minimum wage, federal tax changes, phosphorus and natural gas expansion. These issues will continue to be top of mind for us in 2018, as part of our provincial election campaign. This year also marked the year we began to talk more about mental health. I know the conversations will continue as we are more open with ourselves and each other. And I know the conversations we start can help create an environment where mental health is never seen as a weakness. In spite of the business of the season, please make sure you take time to celebrate the season with family, friends and your community – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from OFA. -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
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OFA Commentary: December 8, 2017
By Keith Currie, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture It’s been a busy year for managing water quality in our Great Lakes and surrounding waterways. This year saw above normal rain across many locations of the Great Lakes Basin resulting in above average water levels throughout the summer months in all the lakes. Lake Ontario set new record high water levels in June and July, the highest since records began in 1918. Unfortunately, significant spring and summer rainfall resulted in a larger than average algal bloom in the western basin of Lake Erie and several smaller lakes in the U.S. have also reported toxic algae issues. Because of this, the reduction of phosphorus levels in the Great Lakes is a top priority for the Grow Ontario Together (GOT) coalition. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and our GOT partners have been working collaboratively to address ways and means of reducing the agricultural risk through the work on the draft Canada-Ontario Domestic Action Plan. The Action Plan’s goal is to achieve phosphorus reductions in Lake Erie from Canadian sources. Although farmers are only one part of a complex problem, we can provide solutions. Adoption of best management practices and 4R nutrient management guidelines are already making positive changes. The Domestic Action Plan will be finalized in 2018. On the other side of the border, the draft U.S. Domestic Action Plan was released for public comment in August 2017. Water quality is a top priority for farmers, and it always has been. OFA works with government and industry within the GOT collaborative working group to address issues like phosphorus management. OFA has been working with the GOT coalition, The Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Collaborative and the Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Initiative to ensure success. This work has led to the development of new tools, practices and technologies to help farmers and municipalities reduce phosphorus and algal blooms in watersheds that feed Lake Erie. As The Domestic Action Plan is being finalized in Canada and the U.S., Ontario farmers are already taking measures to reduce phosphorus entering the Great Lakes watershed. Canada and the U.S. have committed to a 40% reduction in the total phosphorus entering Lake Erie by 2025. This is an important goal and with the right measures put in place we can meet it, and Ontario farmers are committed to be part of the solution. -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 Guelph, ON [December 1, 2017] – A Farm Business Registration (FBR) fee increase has been approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, effective January 1, 2018. The annual fee will increase by $30 to $225 plus HST.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), together with the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario and the National Farmers Union - Ontario proposed the fee increase earlier this year. The annual fee for farmers to register their business is collected each year by Agricorp as part of the FBR process and remitted to the three accredited farm organizations. “OFA thanks Minister Leal for championing this regulation change to support Ontario’s general farm organizations,” says Keith Currie, OFA president. “It’s been eight years since the last adjustment in FBR fees and the cost of doing business, working on behalf of farm members, continues to climb.” OFA is funded by membership support through FBR fees. The number of farm businesses in Ontario is decreasing, resulting in a slow decline in membership over the years. “Fewer farms in the province doesn’t mean a lighter workload,” says Currie. “The volume of Environmental Bill of Rights submissions and responses, advocacy work on regulations like the recently proposed federal tax changes and the need for on-the-ground member support has been greater than ever. OFA is proud of the comprehensive member service our organization delivers.” Ontario farmers can expect FBR renewal notices from Agricorp by mail in January, 2018. 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 OFA Commentary: December 1, 2017
By Crispin Colvin, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture It was 2011 when the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, with input from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), released its draft paper Towards a National Food Strategy. The plan outlined key objectives to ensure a long-term, sustainable and healthy food system in Canada. Food literacy was identified and included in the document, and has become a household phrase in the last six years. We know it’s in the best long-term interests of the agri-food sector to work together to ensure consumers understand where their food comes from, how it’s grown, and how to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. It is also critical for the future health of our nation. OFA recently led a joint initiative called the Food Literacy Attitude and Awareness Research Project to take a pulse on the current state of food literacy. The project surveyed three distinct groups of Ontario consumers – parents with children at home, teenagers aged 13-17, and millennials aged 18-26 who are living on their own. OFA worked together with an advisory committee including the Nutrition Resource Centre of the Ontario Public Health Association, the Ontario Home Economics Association, AgScape, and Farm and Food Care Ontario. The project measured the current level of food literacy among the three groups to develop baseline data, and gain insights to guide future programs, resources and information. Two focus groups gathered qualitative information, and an online survey with 1,003 consumers collected quantitative information on local food, meal planning, purchasing, preparation and consumption in the home, and sources of information. According to survey results, the way we are currently reaching teenagers with food literacy messages doesn’t seem to be as effective or impactful as it could be. Dietitians generally target their message to parents, but it’s time to revise those messages to target youth directly. Overall, there is a clear understanding of local food products, but not of farming practices or food production. Local food knowledge does not differ significantly depending on where consumers live – rural, urban or suburban. Nearly one quarter of all consumers surveyed didn’t know any of the food groups. Less than half of the parents surveyed knew safe cooking temperatures for meat and poultry. Not surprisingly, millennials seek health and nutrition information from a wide variety of sources, with the internet being the most utilized source. Information gathered in the survey serves as a guide to OFA and other partners to identify future needs – including public policy – to develop strong food literacy components in curriculum and through other programs and resources. As a result of the research study, OFA is working with a registered dietitian to develop meal plans for teenagers – as part of its SixbySixteen.me program – to help them understand how to put together a properly balanced meal. The complete Food Literacy Attitude and Awareness Research Project is available at ofa.on.ca. -30- For more information, contact: Crispin Colvin Director Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-868-7317 Neil Currie General Manager Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 |
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