Over the years, I’ve learned that emergencies rarely happen when it’s convenient. I’m a farmer and board member with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and I also spent many years as a volunteer rural first responder with my local fire department.

Ask any farmer about the future of agriculture, and chances are the conversation will quickly turn to the next generation. Who will be farming our land, caring for our livestock, fixing our equipment, developing new technologies and leading our agricultural organizations in the years ahead? Those are important questions, and they’re why supporting young people and helping them find their place in this critical industry matters so much.

Ontario farmers are facing pressure from every direction. Rising costs, higher interest rates, growing debt and an unpredictable global trade environment are making it harder to remain profitable.

Ontario farmers have always been resilient, finding new ways to respond to changing markets, new technology and new challenges. Today, that spirit of innovation is showing up in another way: farm diversification.

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.

Access to health care is a concern for people across Ontario, regardless of where they live. Even in large urban centres, many residents struggle to find family doctors, wait for hours in emergency rooms or face long delays for specialized care and testing.

Agriculture is one of the most important sectors in Ontario’s economy. Our farms and food businesses contribute more than $51 billion annually, support about 10% of the province’s jobs, and produce the food, fuel, fibre and flowers that Ontarians rely on every day.

This week, June 1 to 7, marks Local Food Week in Ontario — a time to celebrate the incredible diversity of food, fibre, fuel and flowers produced by farmers across our province.

Ontario farmers understand the importance of infrastructure. Strong transportation networks help move food, goods and people efficiently across the province, the country and around the world. Farmers rely on roads, rail and trade corridors every day to support our businesses and help feed Canadians.

For Ontario farmers, the arrival of the Census of Agriculture questionnaire this month comes during one of the busiest seasons of the year.