By Drew Spoelstra, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Last weekend, my family and I had the privilege of welcoming thousands of visitors to our farm in Binbrook near Hamilton as the hosts of Breakfast on the Farm, an event organized several times a year by Farm & Food Care Ontario in various locations across Ontario.

For farmers, opening our farms to the public is not something we do every day. Farming is our workplace, our livelihood and, for most of us, also our home. But events like Breakfast on the Farm provide an opportunity that is simply too valuable to pass up: the chance to connect directly with the people we grow food for and show firsthand the skill, passion and, yes, technology that goes into food production today.

For many visitors, this was their first time setting foot on a working farm. They had the opportunity to tour our barn, see many types of farm animals up close, learn about animal care, food safety and environmental stewardship, and ask questions directly to farmers and industry experts. Visitors could also climb onto tractors and other farm equipment, getting a firsthand look at the technology and innovation that farmers use every day.

One of the highlights of the day was the birth of a calf during the event — a reminder that farming is not a display or an exhibit, but a living, working business that continues every day of the year.

What stood out most, however, were the conversations.

One of the greatest strengths of Breakfast on the Farm is that it creates opportunities for consumers and farmers to talk face to face about food and farming — no filters, headlines or social media algorithms involved.

The feedback collected by Farm & Food Care Ontario after these events consistently demonstrates their value. Visitors often comment that they leave with a greater appreciation for the care farmers provide to their animals, a better understanding of how food is produced and a renewed confidence in the safety and quality of Ontario food.

Many say they learned things that challenged misconceptions they previously held about farming and agriculture — and that’s why these moments matter.

At a time when misinformation about food and farming is widespread, building understanding and trust between farmers and consumers has never been more important. Events like Breakfast on the Farm help bridge that gap by creating authentic firsthand experiences for the public.

The event also provided an important opportunity to welcome elected officials and government representatives from federal, provincial and municipal levels to our farm.

Agriculture is a complex sector, and many of the decisions made by governments directly affect the ability of farm businesses to remain competitive and continue producing food.

There is tremendous value in bringing decision-makers onto farms so they can see firsthand the realities of modern agriculture in ways that can’t be captured in a boardroom or a policy document. Better understanding often leads to better policy decisions.

Breakfast on the Farm also supports a priority Ontario Federation of Agriculture members have consistently identified in recent years: strengthening support for local food and increasing public awareness of Ontario agriculture.

What makes all of this happen are strong partnerships, like the one between OFA and Farm & Food Care, an organization that deserves tremendous credit for its leadership in organizing Breakfast on the Farm and for its ongoing efforts to build public trust in our food system.

We also appreciated the support of many of our other partners who helped make the day possible, such as organizations representing a wide range of farmers, including grain, dairy, egg, beef, chicken and more, as well as the Greenbelt Foundation, local 4-H members, volunteers, businesses and community partners. Together, they help showcase the diversity and strength of Ontario agriculture.

Hosting Breakfast on the Farm was an honour and a privilege for our family. More importantly, it was an opportunity to help strengthen the connection between farmers and the people we feed every day.

Those connections are important. They build trust, increase understanding and help ensure Ontario agriculture remains strong for generations to come.

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
[email protected]