By Clint Cameron, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture I’ve been involved in the agriculture community in various ways throughout my entire life, and this past fall, I stepped into a new role as a director on the provincial board of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). It’s an exciting challenge and I’m keen to put my skills and experiences to work for Ontario’s farming sector. My background is a little different than that of most of my fellow board members, but that’s precisely where I believe I can help make a difference and bring some new perspectives to the OFA’s advocacy efforts and collaborative partnership building. Let me tell you how I got there. I was raised on a farm near Cardinal, a small Eastern Ontario community on the shores of the St Lawrence between Brockville and Cornwall. I grew up haying and working as a relief milker on the many dairy farms in our area, as well as riding, showing and judging Quarter Horses on the U.S and Eastern Canadian show circuit until I was in my 20s. After graduating from the University of Ottawa with a degree in criminology and administration, I worked at Newell, maker of popular brands like Rubbermaid and Coleman, for a few years before joining Ottawa-based Nortel as part of their global program management team, where I had responsibilities for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Pacific Rim. It was during this time I also completed a postgraduate program in finance at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. My next career move brought me back to my roots with a senior position at Casco – now Ingredion – a corn, starch, sugar and animal feed processor in my hometown of Cardinal, where I was responsible for procurement, operations and inbound logistics. In 2016, I left the corporate world and returned full-time to my family’s farming roots, which includes growing corn, soybeans and hay on about 500 acres, and supporting my mom, Bonnie Cameron, with her spotted and dappled Boer goat breeding business. I also bought a local custom agricultural services business, where we specialize in custom farm work and land clearing activities. Around that same time, I became a local director on the board of the Grenville Federation of Agriculture. I’ve been a supporter of OFA and its work my whole life – you could say that Farms and Food Forever is engrained in my family – so it seemed like a natural thing to do to become more involved in the industry. Last year, I was approached by my predecessor about letting my name stand for a spot on the provincial OFA board representing farmers in the counties of Dundas, Frontenac, Grenville and Leeds. It was an opportunity for me to step out of the tractor cab and be involved in the agri-food sector in a new way. The strength of an organization lies in the diversity of perspectives among its leadership. Our board members raise livestock, grow crops, run on-farm stores for consumers or agricultural supply businesses, are involved with municipal politics and local fall fairs, or have specialized expertise in fields like agronomy, for example. We each also bring our personal networks to the board table, whether that’s relationships with politicians, or involvement in other organizations. Last year, for example, I also became a member of the management committee at the Port of Johnstown, one of Eastern Ontario’s premier ports for truck, sea and rail shipping and receiving of grains, salt, aggregate and cargo. As we were all quickly reminded of last fall during the St. Lawrence Seaway strike, our agri-food sector and indeed our entire provincial economy depends heavily on well resourced and well-functioning infrastructure, which includes our ports and marine transport. Farmers make up on a small percentage of our population, yet the work that we do is essential in keeping our society functioning smoothly, from producing food and fuel to creating jobs and maintaining the economic and social fabric of communities away from Ontario’s major urban centres. To me, that means we also have a responsibility to preserve – and grow – agriculture to the best of our abilities. That’s the goal of the OFA, and as one of 18 voices around our board table, I am proud to represent the farmers in my area and support our collective advocacy, collaboration and partnership efforts. 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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By Brian Crews, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture At first glance, most people might find it hard to believe that a City of Toronto firefighter can also be an Ontario dairy farmer. After all, the demands of serving as a first responder in Canada’s largest city are pretty far removed from life in rural Ontario and working with livestock as part of a multi-generational family business. And yet, that’s me. I’ve been a Toronto firefighter for more than 30 years – working 24-hour shifts – while also farming in Northumberland County east of Toronto together with my parents, Carl and Helena, my wife Cyndi Down, and our son Andrew, who is the ninth generation on our family’s farm. It was during the pandemic that a fellow farmer in our area approached me about becoming involved with our local Northumberland Federation of Agriculture. There are many issues facing farmers in Ontario today, from urban encroachment and land use planning challenges to business transition and ensuring agriculture can offer the next generation of farmers a sustainable future. They’re prevalent in our area for sure and with my retirement from the fire service no longer that far away, they also directly impact my family, our farm and our future – so I took the suggestion and joined the organization as a Northumberland County director. I quickly learned a lot about agricultural advocacy and how important it is for farmers to both be informed about the issues that impact their businesses and have their voice be in front of decision-makers. This led me to the decision last fall to put my name forward for a position on the board of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). Thanks to a successful election, I now represent the farmers of Lennox and Addington, Hastings, Northumberland and Prince Edward as their provincial director with OFA. My family’s long-reaching farming roots make me particularly passionate about preserving agricultural land, ensuring it continues to be farmed and keeping it from being fragmented into increasingly smaller parcels. It’s not just about maintaining that ability to produce our own food, fuel, and fibre close to home, however. It’s also about keeping our rural Ontario communities and their social fabric alive. With every farm that disappears, it becomes harder for local businesses like farm equipment suppliers, veterinary clinics and even coffee shops to keep their doors open. And as the population gradually declines, so does the availability of schools, medical services and community social supports. As part of a multi-generational family farm, I also feel strongly about business succession planning and about being able to maintain a competitive and successful agriculture industry that can offer an attractive and economically sustainable future to the next generation of farmers like our son. The dramatic increase in the price of land coupled with the threat of urban sprawl can make the decision to give up the family farm a financially attractive option, particularly for younger generations who are faced with an increasingly high cost of living and a desire for more work life balance than their parents or grandparents were able to have as farmers. Transition is a complex topic for any family business, but it’s particularly tough for farmers. The emotional ties that bind us to our land are strong because for us, our farms are more than just a business. They’re also our homes and where generations of our forebears have also lived and worked. I’m looking forward to spending the next three years as part of the board of an organization who tackles tough topics like these on a daily basis. And I’m particularly keen to encourage more of my fellow farmers to take a more active role in this organization too – just reading the county newsletter or attending a local meeting are good places to start. We need organizations like the OFA to advocate for farmers and to ensure our voice is being heard by the people making decisions and enacting policies that will impact our businesses and our families. Our voice is only as strong as our own involvement in our industry and in our organizations. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Angela Cammaert, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture I’ve always been a big believer in the idea that the more people work together, the more we can achieve. As a fifth-generation farmer raised in rural Ontario, I grew up with the belief that it’s always important to give back to the community you’re involved with, whether through service clubs, volunteerism, donating your skills and abilities to worthy causes, or stepping up to participate in leadership roles. That spirit of involvement and collaboration also drives my husband Dave and I in our farm business near the southwestern Ontario town of West Lorne, where we grow crops, raise cattle and sell beef from our farm directly to consumers. I spent time as a municipal councillor in West Elgin before becoming involved as a director with the Elgin Federation of Agriculture, where I soon became the organization’s Vice President and Chair of Land Use planning, as well as a mentor to young female farmers. Late last fall, I took on my newest community involvement leadership role when I was elected as a Director-at-Large for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). I was inspired to put my name forward for the position by the example of OFA’s recently retired president Peggy Brekveld, who so ably led the organization through the very tough pandemic years. Stepping forward to lead is never easy, particularly often for women, but she was a strong yet compassionate advocate for agriculture and dedicated to the ideas of collaboration and of building bridges between rural and urban communities. I also decided to run for an OFA director position because I feel strongly about the future of agriculture. As a farmer who sells food directly to consumers, I spend a lot of time answering the public’s questions in person and online about how food is produced and where it comes from – and I’m deeply familiar with the critical roles that farming plays in so many ways right across our society. It’s also important that agriculture’s voice is heard on major issues like land use planning and farmland preservation, for example, so we can ensure that our ability to produce food, fuel, fibre and flowers here in Ontario isn’t lost forever. A key part of that also lies with investment in critical infrastructure for rural Ontario. This means well-maintained roads and bridges, but it’s also about access to affordable energy like natural gas as well as social infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, healthcare and community services. Better access to high-speed internet and fewer gaps in cellular coverage are also essential. Farmers are continually encouraged to modernize their systems and adopt new technologies, but in many parts of rural Ontario, the much-needed infrastructure to support that innovation simply isn’t there or can’t support the demand. It can be hard to use precision agriculture tools when the cell coverage needed to GPS fields isn’t available, or Internet service isn’t good enough to support technology needed to remotely monitor livestock. These are issues that the OFA has long worked on, and progress is definitely being made, but I welcome the opportunity, in my new role, to continue to advocate for positive change for farmers right across the province. I’m also looking forward to continuing the great work that OFA has done at building partnerships with other farm organizations in support of joint advocacy. When we bring people and organizations of different skills and backgrounds together to work towards common goals, we can make a lot of good things happen. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Paul Maurice, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture January marks the renewal season of membership in the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and there are a number of ways that farmers, farm businesses and agricultural organizations can hold a membership in the OFA. Most well-known is the Farm Business Registration membership. In Ontario, farms that have earned a gross income of at least $7,000 in the past year are required to register their business through Agricorp in order to qualify for certain programs and benefits. Registered farm businesses are eligible for the farm property class tax rate for farmland and farm vehicle license plates, as well as being able to apply for special government programs for agriculture. These include, for example, the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program for losses to crops or livestock caused by wildlife, and government cost-share programs for initiatives boosting soil health and water quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions or protecting species at risk. Similar to how the federal government relies on data gathered through the Canadian Census to help with decision-making, the provincial government uses statistics and information generated through FBR to support agricultural program and policy development. With registration, farmers select a membership in one of Ontario’s three accredited farm organizations – and every year, they decide which organization they wish to belong to and support with their membership fee. Other forms of membership in the OFA include Individual Farm Membership, which represents individuals who are or have been directly involved in farming but who do not otherwise quality for Farm Business Registration. OFA is also pleased to include 29 agricultural and commodity organizations among our valued members. OFA is a strong believer in the power of partnerships and working together to achieve common goals. I’m a director on OFA’s provincial board, where I have represented farmers in Peel, Simcoe and York since 2021. My wife and I were dairy farmers in the small bilingual community of Lafontaine just west of Penetanguishene for 50 years, and today, we raise broiler chickens and grow crops together with our son, Alex, who is the fifth generation of our family on our farm. I’ve been a member of the OFA for decades, and I believe strongly in the value of farmers having a strong organization who can represent our sector and our issues with a united voice. Our advocacy work yields important outcomes for farm businesses and rural communities on topics as wide-ranging as taxation, farmland preservation, farmer wellness, rural infrastructure and supply chain resilience, to name just a few. As a provincial organization, our advocacy focuses primarily on the provincial government, but we are also active federally as members of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. As well, we dedicate resources to working with municipalities as a significant amount of legislation affecting farmers actually stems from local government. That’s why, for example, we make sure we participate in key events like the annual conferences of Economic Developers Council of Ontario, the Rural Ontario Municipal Association, the Ontario Good Roads Association, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and others. To put it simply, to me advocacy means being able to help people who affect our lives and our farming businesses understand who we are and what we do – and what impact their decisions have on those of us who produce food, fuel, fibre and flowers. This means working closely with our membership and local Federations and collaboratively with government, other farm organizations and industry partners to find and put the proper tools in place so that as farmers, we can keep our businesses profitable and efficient. And I like to think that OFA, who represents approximately 88% of Ontario’s farmers, is best positioned to be that leading, trusted voice for our sector. We appreciate the support of our members and their trust in us to represent their interests and turn their concerns into action that helps ensure Farms and Food Forever. For more information, contact: Rachelle Kerr Communications Coordinator Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-803-4957 [email protected] By Andrea McCoy-Naperstkow, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture We’re only a short time away from the start of a new year, which for many of us, means not just a flip of the calendar but also an opportunity for new beginnings. For me, a new beginning started a month earlier in November, when I joined the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) board of directors for a three-year term as the representative for farmers in Lanark, Arnprior, Renfrew and Ottawa. As a farmer, an educator, and a broadcaster, I’m passionate about agriculture, life in rural Ontario and the people who live and work in it. It’s an exciting new chapter for me to become involved with a farm organization at the provincial level, and yet also a somewhat natural progression of activities I’ve been involved with for many years. I grew up on a small dairy farm near Carleton Place in Lanark County, and it’s where my husband and I still farm today, raising beef cattle and growing corn, soybeans and hay. In addition to farming, I worked for the city of Ottawa in parks and recreation and social services for over 30 years before retiring in 2014. I’ve been a member of the Lanark Federation of Agriculture for over 25 years, but it was retirement that led me to become more involved with the activities in the agriculture sector. I’ve held various roles with the Lanark Federation, including serving as president, and I’m also a member of the Lanark County Agriculture Committee. A few years ago, I was a guest on a local radio show on Valley Heritage Radio called Barnyard Breakdown. I was soon asked to co-host the show and since 2017, I’ve been the permanent host of the weekly show where we cover the latest in farming and agricultural news from the Ottawa Valley and beyond. A major blow to the agriculture sector in our area was the closure of the University of Guelph Kemptville campus in 2015. This ultimately led to the launch of an agricultural business program at Algonquin College in Ottawa in 2019. With previous teaching experience at Algonquin and my long-time involvement in the agriculture sector, I was tapped to be an instructor in the new program, where I now teach four courses. I’ve also always cared deeply about mental health, and almost 10 years ago, I became part of the first farmer stakeholder group for mental health research being conducted at the University of Guelph by Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton and Briana Hagen. This research was foundational to the launch two years ago of the Farmer Wellness Initiative, which provides access to free counselling services and tailored mental health support and resources to all Ontario farmers and their families 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With my deep background in social services and life-long living in rural Ontario, it probably comes as no surprise that I am passionate about wellness and socio-economic issues, from rural services and infrastructure to food security and farmland preservation. I also believe in collaboration and in communicating the story of Ontario agriculture. Farmers only account for a small percentage of our population, so it’s very important that the various organizations that make up our sector work together wherever possible. And we need to build connections with our fellow Ontarians who aren’t farmers or aren’t from rural communities. After all, the issues that we care about, like healthcare, housing, food, community and more, are ones that matter to them as well. These are all strategic priorities for the OFA, and I’m really looking forward to being an active part of an organization that advocates for farmers and rural communities, whether it’s highlighting the urgent need for physical and social infrastructure support in rural areas or underscoring the importance of preserving our ability to produce food right here at home. For more information, contact: Rachelle Kerr Communications Coordinator Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-803-4957 [email protected] By Ethan Wallace, Executive Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Canadian consumers continue to have a high level of trust in our food system and many of their key concerns mirror those of the farming community. That’s according to the results of the 2023 Public Trust Research Report into Canada’s food system that was released recently by the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity. Unsurprisingly, this year’s study continues to place food affordability at the top of the list of issues Canadians think about when it comes to our food supply, with 54% indicating that the cost of food is their primary concern. This is followed by inflation, healthcare and housing – all issues that are also concerns for Ontario’s farmers and their families. At the same time, consumers overall continue to be supportive of the food and agriculture sector’s ability to innovate and grow. Two key indicators have stayed steady over the last year: public trust and the proportion of Canadians who feel the food system is headed in the right direction. More than half of respondents noted they feel Canadian agriculture overall is trustworthy or very trustworthy. Farmers are the most trusted group of Canadian food system stakeholders – 65% of respondents believe farmers to be trustworthy or very trustworthy – followed by scientists and university researchers. That is certainly good news for those of us in the farming community. I’m the fifth generation of my family to farm in Ontario; my wife, children and I are dairy farmers near Seaforth on a farm we recently took over from my parents. We love what we do, but we wouldn’t be able to do any of it without the support of consumers, their trust in what we do, and their willingness to buy the products we grow, raise and produce. How we do that has changed dramatically in recent decades as science continues to evolve and we adapt our practices. On our farm, for example, we now milk our cows with robots in a large new barn with sand bedding that offers our livestock the latest in comfort and welfare. The fields we used to plow every year before planting our crops are now 100% no-till, which means we don’t disturb the soil at planting. This boosts soil health and structure, making the soil and our crops more resilient to extreme weather conditions like drought or too much rain. It’s part of what we do to ensure we’re producing food sustainably and responsibly and to ensure our children will have the opportunity to farm should they choose to do so. Our farm’s story of innovation, growth and commitment to continuous improvement is not unique, though; it’s one that is common to so many of family farms across Ontario. That’s why the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) welcomed the provincial government’s recent announcement that it is modernizing the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) Act, which governs provincial agricultural research. ARIO is a provincial agency that owns Ontario’s 14 research station properties that support agriculture research ranging from livestock and field crops to greenhouse and horticulture. This modernization will bring the research farmers rely on to be innovative into the 21st century and beyond, focusing not just on agricultural production but also topics like environment, climate change, water and processing. Updated legislation will make it easier to evaluate and adapt new techniques, tools and technologies on our farms and in our food processing facilities, which ultimately, could have significant impacts on our provincial economy and our food security. We appreciate that the government sees value in building the farming sector and supporting future innovation that will let us strengthen our ability to not just feed ourselves but also the world. For more information, contact: Rachelle Kerr Communications Coordinator Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-803-4957 [email protected] By Sara Wood, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Many organizations and businesses depend on volunteers to support different programs and initiatives. But it’s getting harder to find people willing to come forward to help, especially since the pandemic. Recent Statistics Canada data shows most non-profit organizations, for example, are facing challenges attracting and keeping volunteers – and that volunteers themselves have less time to give and are dealing with more burnout. Farm, agricultural and rural organizations are dealing with this issue too, although the shrinking number of farms combined with the increasing average age of farmers made it a problem for this sector long before the pandemic. I farm with my family near Mitchell in southwestern Ontario, and I’m also a Vice President with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), as well as an executive member of the Agricultural Adaptation Council board of directors. Combined with a young child at home, I’m no stranger to juggling the many demands on my time. Farm organizations like the OFA rely on volunteers to serve on their boards and become involved with local and regional associations, and we wanted to hear from some of our younger members about what we can do better to attract new people to our ranks. That’s why we organized a panel discussion at our recent annual convention and invited newer and younger members from across Ontario to share their perspectives on what makes them decide to become involved – and stay – with a volunteer organization. It was one of the liveliest and most engaged sessions at our two-day conference, which clearly demonstrates to me how important this topic is in the agriculture industry – and the learnings from that day can easily be applied to not-for-profit organizations from any sector. Here are some of those key takeaways: Be open to trying new things as an organization. It quickly becomes discouraging for new volunteers when they hear “no” every time they offer up a new idea, and their interest in being involved will diminish rapidly. Not every new idea will be a success, but you won’t know unless you give it a try. And even if something didn’t work well the last time it was tried – 10 or 15 years ago – it could be worth trying again. As we all know only all to well, our world has changed in the last few years. Have flexible meeting and communications options. Many young farmers today also have off-farm jobs, so they must coordinate their volunteer commitments around their work hours. Others have young children, so offering hybrid meeting options is helpful so they can participate virtually even if they can’t be there in person. Digital communications tools like texting and group chat apps can help members stay in touch on the go and often result in quicker responses than phone or email, for example. Make new people feel welcome. It can be intimidating to start something new, especially with people who’ve been doing the same task or been part of the same group for a long time, so a friendly environment will go a long way to encouraging people to stick around. A big part of that is also providing mentorship to new members, coaching them in roles and responsibilities, and encouraging them to take on leadership positions. Be specific in your expectations. Most people have busy lives and those who would make great volunteers are probably already involved in various activities. That’s why it’s important to be specific and realistic in how much time you are asking them to commit to your organization. And when they do join, ease them into the group gradually and don’t overwhelm them with a flood of tasks or activities. Most volunteers, and I count myself among this group, find community involvement engaging and rewarding. It’s up to us to make new and younger volunteers discover that same satisfaction from stepping forward and helping to make a difference – and setting the foundation for the future success of the organizations that matter to us. 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, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture This past week, Ontario’s farmers gathered for the annual meeting of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). It’s a business meeting for the organization and the opportunity for members from across Ontario to debate resolutions and help shape the direction of OFA policy and activity for the year ahead. It’s a process I’ve been part of myself for many years, first as an OFA member, and for the last 10 years, as a provincial director representing fellow farmers from Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth and Niagara. This year, I was also elected as OFA’s 33rd president. It’s an honour to lead this organization and it’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly. My family and I farm in the southeast corner of the city of Hamilton, near the community of Binbrook, where we milk cows; grow corn, soybeans, wheat and hay; and raise beef cattle and Clydesdale horses. I also operate a dealership selling corn and soybean seed to local farmers. Volunteering in my community has always been important to me, whether it’s with the Binbrook Agricultural Society, the Hamilton-Wentworth Soil and Crop Improvement Association or chairing Hamilton’s agriculture and rural affairs sub-committee. I first became involved with OFA because I had a desire to represent the farmers in my area and work on their behalf to ensure a strong future for agriculture. OFA is an advocacy organization, and we develop and comment on policy that affects farmers and rural communities with the goal of making those policies more relevant and workable for farm businesses. Looking ahead to the coming year, I see the OFA continuing to work on many issues that have dominated the calendar in 2023. Land use and urban sprawl are hot topics, for example. We are losing productive farmland in Ontario at rates that are unsustainable – an average of 319 acres a day, according to the latest Census of Agriculture numbers. That’s land that produces food, fuel, fibre and flowers, supports jobs, preserves wildlife habitats and makes positive environmental contributions. It’s been encouraging to see some of the changes we’ve seen lately by the provincial government to help preserve farmland from development, and we hope to keep that momentum going. We’re also going to see a continued focus on the environmental sustainability issues around agriculture. That includes emission reductions to support climate change mitigation, policies and programs to support even more widespread adoption of soil health practices and addressing water quality and management. At the same time, we must ensure that farms can also stay economically sustainable, so we’ll continue to raise awareness of concerns around profitability, and the impact rising input and production costs, carbon tax and high interest rates is having on our ability to farm competitively and produce food here in Ontario. We must communicate as efficiently and effectively as possible with government, our industry partners and our own members across Ontario. That means listening to the other sides, as well as sharing information. At the end of the day, our goal is to do what’s right and make the best decisions for Ontario farmers. Our board has also elected a new Executive Committee, and we welcomed four new board members to the table last week. I’m excited to work with this team and to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. One thing I’ve learned in my last 10 years as a board director with OFA is that none of us can do this alone. Collaboration and partnership are key to successful outcomes, and I’ve been lucky to have some great mentors. We all have to pull in the same direction to make this organization and this industry work to its best potential, and while we may not always be in agreement, we all want the same outcome: a strong, healthy and sustainable farmer and farming sector in the province of Ontario. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Peggy Brekveld, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture For Ontario’s largest general farm organization, it almost goes without saying that the last year has been a busy one. I’ve served as president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture for three years, and as I look back on the last 12 months, I’m proud of the many places we’ve been able to speak, present, comment and testify to share the voice of agriculture and help make things better for farmers in Ontario. This includes important discussions on food security, fertilizer, taxation, environment, farmland preservation and ensuring our ability to take care of animals, and although many of those conversations are ongoing, I’m also proud of the wins we were able to chalk up this year. The provincial government announced funding for soil health, veterinary capacity and rural infrastructure; we were able to help ensure that federal fertilizer tariffs paid by farmers were returned back to agriculture; and a federal bill expanding carbon tax exemptions for farmers is now before the Senate. As well, a broad-based coalition of farm and agricultural organizations joined together to convince the province to not proceed with its three-lot severance proposal, and farmland that was designated for development is now returning to agricultural zoning in the Greenbelt. Another highlight is the ongoing work in promoting farmer wellness and the mental health services and supports that are now available to all Ontario farmers and their families for whatever issues they may be facing. Our organization continues to support and share mental health awareness in whatever ways we can, from a conversation with a friend or a member, running a media campaign or working a booth at an event. If we can make a difference in some way, OFA wants to do that. I must emphasize that the OFA did none of this alone. We have worked closely with many different partners in all these discussions, and we’ve found ways to engage with organizations and businesses that we haven’t in the past – working together makes all of us stronger. This past year has the been my last as OFA’s president and as I step down from leading this organization this week, I can’t help but reflect on the last three years of being a leader during both COVID and non-COVID times. I became president during a global pandemic, which brought tremendous change and challenge for all of us, but also pushed us to do things differently. Connection with our farmers and our local federations became a priority and we tried new things. For example, we introduced virtual lunches with the presidents of our county and regional federations of agriculture during the pandemic as a way to keep members across Ontario engaged and connected when face-to-face interactions were impossible. It was and continues to be a great opportunity to have conversations with our federations around the province, understand local challenges, share or develop resources if there was a need and ensure ongoing member engagement. Although it’s not the only way we like to communicate, it’s reflective of our new reality. I’ve enjoyed these virtual meetings, which have become a successful initiative for the OFA, and hope to see this tradition continue. I know I’m leaving the organization in good hands. The board and the staff are a strong team who are dedicated to our industry and our members and regardless of the issue at hand, our way forward will include conversations that are familiar and ones that are new in support of OFA’s overall mission of ensuring Farms and Food Forever. I’m very proud of the work we’ve done together, of the trust people have placed in me and of being chosen by my peers to lead this organization. It’s been an honour to serve as president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] By Bruce Buttar, Jennifer Doelman & Jackie Kelly-Pemberton, Directors, Ontario Federation of Agriculture The annual convention of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) will take place the third week of November. As we do every year, it’s where OFA members and voting delegates get together to deal with the business of the organization. This year, however, the event will hold a special poignancy for the three of us: we’re all stepping back from our positions as directors on the OFA board with approximately 30 years of service to the organization between us. And that’s not counting the many years we’ve each spent – and in some cases continue to spend – volunteering with our local federations of agriculture. Here’s who we are: Bruce Buttar – I’m a fifth-generation farmer from the Cobourg area, farming together with my wife Cindy. I represented farmers in my area on the OFA board from 1998 to 2007, and have served as the OFA director for Hastings, Lennox & Addington, Northumberland and Prince Edward counties since 2012. Being a provincial director has been a fulfilling experience, giving me the opportunity to work with knowledgeable and dedicated board colleagues and advocate for one of Ontario’s biggest economic sectors. I also had the opportunity to meet and interact with many MPs and MPPs, and I’ve really enjoyed working with the OFA in the four counties I represent, helping them to solve everyday problems and be more successful in running their farming businesses. It’s definitely been a rewarding and exciting period in my agricultural career. Jennifer Doelman – I’m a cash crop and forage grower, beekeeper and college instructor in Eastern Ontario. I farm with my husband Michael and have been part of the OFA board since 2020 as the representative from Arnprior, Lanark, Ottawa and Renfrew. Joining the OFA board during the pandemic had its challenges, but it also dropped barriers to leadership by letting me participate in a provincial organization far from home without a five-hour commute or worry about arranging childcare. Being a director has been a phenomenal experience and a great way to better understand both the diverse landscape of Ontario agriculture and the workings of the different layers of government who directly impact our farm businesses. I’ve enjoyed sharing my perspectives as a woman farmer from Eastern Ontario with my colleagues, but it’s been especially rewarding to be able to encourage other farmers from my area to step into leadership roles. Jackie Kelly-Pemberton – I raise beef cattle near Winchester with my husband Steven and was first elected to represent farmers from Dundas, Frontenac, Grenville and Leeds on the OFA board in 2017. It’s been an amazing experience to work with such a like-minded group of leaders who share my passion for agriculture and our desire to have our industry succeed. I quickly learned about the incredible amount of work the OFA board and staff do to stay on top of evolving priorities, respond to proposed policy changes and just simply stay informed on the key issues of the day. From rail and seaway strikes to farmland preservation, climate action calls and a global pandemic, it’s never been boring, and one of the things I’m most proud of is seeing the increased collaboration between farm organizations when it comes to addressing issues of common interest. What’s been most rewarding has been the opportunity to influence and change public perceptions about agriculture. We may not always agree, but we can always share an understanding of common values. All of us would be remiss in not also mentioning that a fourth member of the OFA board will also be stepping down: Peggy Brekveld, who’s been serving as our president for the last three years and who will be sharing her own reflections on her time with the organization in the days to come. We will miss our OFA colleagues as we hand our roles over to our successors and turn our focus to other aspects of our lives. We wish them well in what will be the sometimes challenging but always rewarding experience that lies ahead. And to our fellow farmers who may be thinking about taking on a leadership role, whether volunteering for a committee or becoming a director with the OFA or another farm organization, all three of us have the same advice: just do it. 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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