It’s important to encourage young people to consider careers in the agriculture sector. That’s why the Ontario Federation of Agriculture OFA sponsors a bursary program every year to support individuals who wish to work in this industry.

Tariffs and trade are front and centre these days from dominating news headlines and influencing election discussions to figuring prominently in government, business, organizational and even personal decisions nation-wide.

The OFA is led by farmers who have decided to commit their time for the betterment of the farming sector in our province – whether that’s locally as a grassroots member, at the county or regional level as a director or executive member, or provincially as a board director.

As farmers, we often like to say that every day is Earth Day on the farm, and while that sounds a bit cliched, it actually is very true. That’s because in raising livestock and growing crops of all kinds, farmers work very directly with the soil, the air, and the water every single day.

Ontario food and farming is a very diverse sector. We grow, raise and produce more than 200 different farm and food commodities and products right here at home – yet many Ontarians don’t really have a good understanding of how our food gets to the grocery store.

We’re in the midst of our second election campaign of 2025 and like all elections, it’s a perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on the importance of agriculture to our communities, our economy and our country.

Planning for the future of a farm business is important. Whether the ultimate outcome involves a transition to next-generation family members or to a new owner altogether, the process of transition or succession planning is one that takes careful thought and effort from both the incoming and outgoing owners.

Staying safe at work is always important. That’s especially true on Ontario’s farms, which aren’t just a workplace, it’s also where those of us who farm live and raise our families.

Farm leaders from across Canada recently gathered in Ottawa for the annual conference of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). It’s an opportunity for farmers, industry stakeholders and government officials to discuss key issues impacting Canadian agriculture and setting the organization’s priorities for the year to come.

This Saturday is International Women’s Day – a perfect opportunity to honour an often-overlooked force in Canadian food and farming.