Healthcare is a top-of-mind issue for many Ontarians, especially at times when we’re in need of medical care. Lack of services, long wait times or the family doctor shortage often make headlines in all parts of the province, but these challenges can be especially acute in rural Ontario.

OFA currently has about 38,000 members who are farms of all sizes and production types. This makes us unique among Ontario farm and agriculture organizations, as does the fact that we have members in every single corner of the province.

The OFA has a rolling governance structure for zone director positions and every year in June, five of those positions come up for election. This means we are always looking to attract interested candidates to step forward and consider joining our board for a three-year term.

Buying local and supporting local farmers and food producers is a priority for many Ontarians. As farmers, we appreciate the enthusiasm in this province for buying local and for the support you give our farms and businesses.

In recent years, Canadian research has shown that farming is one of the most stressful industries. Approximately 45% of farmers report high stress, 58% meet the classifications for anxiety and 68% are more susceptible than the general population to chronic stress.

It’s no surprise that farmer members of the OFA identified insurance as number two on the list of issues they’re most worried about in relation to their businesses in the 2024 Farm Business Confidence Survey. The nature of farming means that farmers and farm businesses have special insurance requirements that aren’t necessarily covered by conventional solutions.

Vehicles and farm equipment will be on Ontario’s busy roads this long weekend – and all of us must share those roads responsibly to make sure everyone gets to where they are going and home again safely.

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.