Agriculture as a sector often has unique needs when it comes to accessing services, such as banking, financing, and even telecommunications and energy, to name just a few.
Read OFA Viewpoint weekly for our position and activities on the current issues and legislation impacting Ontario’s agriculture sector.
Safety matters, especially on the farm
With the weather warming up, farmers start to become eager to hit the fields and get spring planting underway. That’s still a few weeks away, though, so now is a great time to give some thought to staying safe and healthy as we go about our daily jobs and lives on the farm. After all, for us the farm isn’t just a workplace, it’s also where we live and raise our families.
New mentorship opportunities for Canadian women in agriculture
Historically, agriculture in Canada has been a male-dominated industry, but women have always played very pivotal roles in farm businesses – just mostly behind the scenes or in a supportive rather than leading capacity.
Canadian farm leaders meet to debate issues, set policy
This week, farm leaders from across Canada are gathering in Ottawa for the annual general meeting of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). It’s our opportunity once a year to get together as farmers from across the country and share our concerns and priorities on issues that are national in scope – like trade, climate change or soil health to name just a few – in hopes of coming up with solutions that will work for everyone.
Three tax filing changes farmers should know about
Tax season is coming up and while it’s always important to stay on top of deadlines and new rules, there are changes to three specific federal tax filing requirements that farmers should pay particular attention to for 2024.
OFA supports planning for the next generation of farmers
For any business owner, planning for the future involves serious decision-making about what will happen to the business. Whether transition to a next generation family member or sale to a new owner, the process requires careful thought and planning.
Younger farmers changing the face of agriculture
Much is always made of the high average age of Canadian farmers, but there’s a quiet shift happening in agriculture that is changing the face of our industry. Quite literally, farming is in transition – and I’m one of many farmers right in the middle of it.
Farmers advocate for rural community investments
Issues around food security, rural infrastructure and responsible long-term land use planning were front and centre at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) annual conference this past week. These are all issues that are challenges for Ontario’s rural communities – but they’re also issues that deeply concern and impact Ontario’s agriculture sector.
Farm organizations benefit from diverse perspectives
I’ve been involved in the agriculture community in various ways throughout my entire life, and this past fall, I stepped into a new role as a director on the provincial board of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). It’s an exciting challenge and I’m keen to put my skills and experiences to work for Ontario’s farming sector.
Farms needed to keep rural Ontario’s social fabric alive
At first glance, most people might find it hard to believe that a City of Toronto firefighter can also be an Ontario dairy farmer. After all, the demands of serving as a first responder in Canada’s largest city are pretty far removed from life in rural Ontario and working with livestock as part of a multi-generational family business.