Click here to read the release in French.
GUELPH, ON [February 11, 2021] – The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is proud to unveil a new online hub for Francophone farmers hosting an array of policy and programming resources, fact sheets, guides and additional information to support our Franco-Ontarian membership.
The Our AgriCulture: Cultivating Opportunities for Ontario’s Francophone Farm Families project is funded by the Government of Ontario through the Francophone Community Grants Program, delivered in collaboration with l’Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens (UCFO).
The new hub is compiled of OFA policies and fact sheets on many key issues and priorities impacting Ontario’s agriculture industry, including farm property, transportation, farm safety and mental health and wellness. There are also many resources for local county federations to advocate and lobby on behalf of Francophone farmers and rural communities.
“We are excited to bring these valuable resources to our Francophone farm families with the Ontario government’s support,” said Peggy Brekveld, OFA President. “We know Franco-Ontarian farmers are strong advocates in their communities, and we hope this new online hub will encourage, support and invigorate their ongoing efforts.”
“We are pleased to partner with OFA to make this project a reality and bring added value to our collective members,” said Danik Lafond, Executive Director of UCFO.
“We desire for all farmers in Ontario – French and English – to prosper and succeed. These resources are tools to help aid that success,” said Peggy Brekveld, OFA President.
OFA is a strong supporter of diversity and inclusivity across our farming communities, with nearly 650 OFA members identifying French as their primary language. Through this project, OFA and UCFO aim to ensure that Franco-Ontarians can continue to be engaged citizens for positive change in the agri-food sector, now and into the future.
The online resource hub is now available on the OFA website at ofa.on.ca/NotreAgriculture.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 38,000 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. For more information, visit ofa.on.ca.
The Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens (UCFO) is a movement dedicated to the defense and promotion of the economic and socio-cultural interests of all Franco-Ontarian farmers. UCFO is particularly concerned with the interests of the family farm as a traditional entity as well as all socio-cultural and economic activities in the agricultural production sector and the development of rural communities.
For more information, contact:
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca
Dr. Danik Lafond
Executive Director
Union des Cultivateurs Franco-Ontariens (UCFO)
direction@ucfo.ca
Funding provided by the Government of Ontario.