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
rachelle.kerr@ofa.on.ca