By Crispin Colvin, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture This Viewpoint is available in French. Click here to read the French version. This year’s Association of Municipalities of Ontario annual general meeting and conference attracted over 2,500 municipal leaders, government officials, civil servants as well as other interested stakeholders. Among those other stakeholders were a wide range of companies and organizations who are connected to municipalities in some capacity – including the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). The event is one of the most important public policy conferences in Ontario, and as a farmer and former municipal leader, I was pleased to be part of the OFA delegation and have this opportunity to engage with participants at the event. OFA advocates on behalf of farmers on a wide range of issues, from rural health care and energy policy to land use, economic development and more, and building relationships with related sectors can help deepen our understanding of those issues and lets us do a better job at advocating for the agriculture industry and rural communities. For example, I had the chance to meet delegates who aren’t from municipalities but have strong interests in municipal affairs, such as natural gas supplier Enbridge and the Independent Electricity System Operator, which delivers key services across our provincial electrical sector. Through our advocacy work, OFA interacts with government officials, particularly at the provincial and federal levels, on an ongoing basis, but this conference provides a unique opportunity to get to know many municipal representatives from across the province that we don’t otherwise have the chance to meet. Many municipal delegates come from large, urban communities with little direct connection to agriculture and food production, for example, and are unaware of the many issues we have in common, from infrastructure, housing and healthcare to jobs, the food supply chain, and budgetary constraints. They’re also often surprised at the level of farmland loss in Ontario – an average of 319 acres a day according to the latest census data – and interested in knowing more about how critical it is to all of our futures that we maintain our ability to produce our own food, fuel, fibre and flowers as much as possible. Here are some of the main issues we were able to discuss with AMO delegates where we share common goals that support our collective economic growth: Improving rural infrastructure and services: Ontario’s rural economy relies on well-functioning roads, bridges and drainage to support the production and transportation of goods and services. Investments into transportation infrastructure, access to affordable energy, broadband and increased social services — including schools, healthcare and community centres — will keep businesses in rural communities as well as encourage newcomers to establish themselves. The OFA can be a key partner working with government and local municipalities to identify ways and means to prioritize, build and maintain critical infrastructure that is needed in our communities. For example, OFA has partnered with six rural municipalities on Cost of Community Services studies to help identify costs and benefits of various land use types and support those municipalities in developing growth strategies that can provide a high quality of life for residents while also protecting natural resources. Planning for housing affordability and long-term land use: We support the government’s goals of building more homes over the next 10 years to address the housing supply shortage that affects all Ontarians including the agriculture sector. Our focus has been to encourage an approach that balances increased housing and economic growth with ensuring that we are protecting the agricultural and environmental lands we depend on for local food production and healthy communities. Solutions include intensification of residential development within the existing urban footprint in the context of complete and liveable communities and supporting the distribution of economic development province wide. Strengthening economic development and community health: OFA sees tremendous value in developing and encouraging policies that enable direct farm marketing and agritourism to improve urban and rural connections and provide healthy outdoor activities and access to local food for families. Last year, OFA conducted a local food and agritourism survey, where 38% of respondents noted that although they don’t currently offer agritourism experiences on their farms, they would consider doing so. OFA partnered with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario on the 2022 State of the Ontario Tourism Industry Report. The report provides several recommendations for all three levels of government, covering topics such as the economy, labour, infrastructure, and the future of (agri)tourism. 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 Paul Maurice, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture For livestock farmers, it’s an unfortunate reality that sometimes, animals die on the farm from causes beyond human control. When that happens, it’s important that those animals are handled and disposed of responsibly and properly, and without impact on human or animal health, or the environment. In Ontario, the livestock industry depends mostly on rendering – a highly regulated process that turns deadstock safely into new, useful products – as a solution, but increasing restrictions and challenges are making management challenging for both farmers and rendering companies. That’s why the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) joined together with provincial livestock organizations to request help from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) to address the livestock mortality issue with both short- and long-term options that will result in practical and sustainable solutions. With funding from OMAFRA, Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) has completed a study to gain a better understanding of the deadstock issue in the province and develop recommendations for a path forward. After widespread consultation and an international scan, the study found that Ontario farmers aren’t without options – it’s just that none of them are ideal or practical for all farmers in all regions of the province. Escalating costs have made on-farm pick-up of carcasses for rendering uneconomical across a large part of Ontario, and steadily increasing regulatory requirements – which span five provincial acts and 12 different organizations – are making it harder for rendering companies to operate profitably. As a former dairy farmer and now a chicken producer, I know firsthand how hard it is when livestock die unexpectedly on the farm and how important it is to have safe, practical and economically feasible disposal options. That’s why I’ve been directly involved with this file for some time as part of my involvement with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture both locally and provincially and continue to take an active role in the search for long-term solutions. The study recommends the setting up a coordinating body, ideally led by an existing organization, to ensure ongoing development and implementation of solutions that respect geographic differences and the needs of the various livestock sectors in Ontario. Continued investment in sustainable deadstock management is another recommendation, particularly ensuring ongoing, uninterrupted collection, and building a business case for the value deadstock could offer a circular economy, including to waste management companies. The report also recommends a review of existing deadstock regulations to ensure they’re based in science, avoid overlap and allow the industry to take advantage of new opportunities presented by sustainable circular economies. In the winter, OFA hosted a presentation of the initial study results to farmers and industry stakeholders as part of our annual Research Day. Following that, OFA also took part in a stakeholder meeting, where farm organizations, government, renderers, waste disposal companies and others discussed the study’s findings and concluded that a working group should be formed to work towards a more coordinated approach to deadstock management and develop next steps. It should also be noted that the challenge of sustainable deadstock management is not unique to Ontario. The international scan conducted as part of the study showed that not only is there no single solution that works for all farmers or all livestock species, but countries around the world are looking for answers to the same problem. Deadstock is a serious concern that our agri-food system needs to deal with collectively so we can avoid impacts on human health and the environment and minimize risk to Ontario’s livestock herds. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is offering five postsecondary bursaries in 2023. Along with offering three bursaries in the amount of $2,000 each to students in an undergraduate program, we are also offering a $2,000 bursary to a person completing an apprenticeship, as well as a $2,000 bursary for a person completing a post-graduate, veterinary, or leadership development program.
Bursary recipients will be selected from applicants who are OFA members, a child of, or employee of an OFA member and are residents of Ontario. Applicants should be able to demonstrate industry related accomplishments, an interest in agriculture and rural issues, and community involvement. The winners will be announced at OFA’s 2023 Annual General Meeting in November. Don’t miss out on this opportunity – the deadline to submit an application for the bursary program is August 31, 2023. Click here to access this year’s bursary form and application. Please refer to the Bursary Terms and Conditions for additional information. By Ethan Wallace, Board Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture The strength of organizations lies in the commitment and passion of their members and volunteers. That’s particularly true for an advocacy organization like the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). We represent the interests of our farmer members all across the province, whether it’s to all levels of government or other stakeholders, media, consumers or in local communities through the activities of our 51 county and regional federations. Through a democratic process, it’s the members of these federations who elect the people who will represent them on our provincial board of directors. However, OFA also has three director-at-large positions, which are open to any OFA member from anywhere in Ontario. This year, one of these director-at-large positions is open for election and delegates to our annual convention in November will vote on who will fill that role for the next three years. Being an OFA board director is not a small commitment, but it is an incredible way to become involved and influence meaningful change for farmers and rural Ontario. Directors advocate on behalf of Ontario farm businesses, connect with grassroots members and industry partners on key issues and priorities impacting the agri-food sector, and influence policy development and strategic planning for the organization. I am a dairy farmer in Huron County, and being involved in agricultural organizations has always been an important way for me to give back to our industry. Twelve years ago, I first became involved with the Huron Federation of Agriculture, when the local dairy producer committee selected me to be their representative to that organization. From there, I became a member of the OFA’s Policy Advisory Council and was eventually elected president of our local federation of agriculture. Three years ago, the provincial director who had represented our region on the OFA board decided not to run for re-election and he encouraged me to consider the role. At the same time, I had the opportunity to take part in the OFA’s Queen’s Park advocacy day as a future leader delegate. It was an interesting and fascinating experience to meet with political representatives and share our story with people outside of agriculture – and I decided to let my name stand for that provincial director position that was opening up. There’s no doubt that it’s a time commitment on my part and one to be honest I wasn’t sure I would be able to make, but it has been a rewarding decision. I’ve always believed that if I want to be in the agriculture industry for the long-term, I need to do my part to help shape it and ensure it is both profitable and sustainable into the future for the next generation of farmers. It’s a big step, but it’s one that I encourage anyone who is interested in making a difference to consider taking. Getting involved the way I did by becoming active in the local organization is a good way to gain experience – and I don’t know of a local federation in the province that wouldn’t welcome new people and new ideas. Every fall, the OFA offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the activities of our organization and the impacts that we can have through our actions – our regional meetings. It’s where you can learn more about the activities, events and programs your local federation is involved with to help promote agriculture, meet your provincial director and member service representative for an update on OFA’s activities, and find out how you could take a more active role in our organization. It’s also your opportunity to bring questions, concerns, issues and priorities to the attention of your local and provincial leadership and choose who will represent you on the Policy Advisory Council and at the OFA annual convention this fall. A full calendar of meeting dates and locations is available on the OFA website, with events happening from August right through until November. Nominations for director-at-large candidates will be accepted from October 15 to October 30. More information will be available on the OFA website in the coming weeks. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 [email protected] Click to read more Click to read more Click to read more Click to read more Click to read more Click to read more |
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