Labour has been a longstanding critical issue impacting the agriculture and food value chain — including planting, production, quality control, processing, distribution and research. It is not only difficult to attract, but also to retain employees in the various sectors of agriculture. The Feeding Your Future initiative was developed with the primary objective of addressing chronic labour shortages. Funding from both the Ontario government and Canadian government through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) created the opportunity to introduce more than just a labour initiative, but a long-term strategy to live beyond the immediate impacts of COVID-19.

Throughout the month of September, all levels of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA)  have been actively involved in advocating for the betterment of the agriculture industry and our rural communities. From county and regional federations to the OFA board of directors, our representatives have been engaging federal candidates across the province, ensuring the needs, priorities and opportunities for agriculture remain at the forefront of their political platforms. 

As the fall season approaches and some normalcy returns to our daily lives, the pace of traffic has picked up. School buses are back on their routes, commuters are home from summer vacation and back to work, and as farmers, some of us are already back on the road with harvest equipment.

Agriculture lives at the heart of our economy and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is proud to represent 51 county and regional federations and 38,000 farm business members across the province. Each farm experiences a unique set of challenges, but also many shared opportunities, which is where our federations find their unified voice.

The agriculture and food industry is a key driver of Canada’s economy, ensuring our grocery shelves stay stocked and our food supply chain strong and viable. Each day, our farmers take the extra step to ensure resiliency in the province’s food supply chain by growing healthy and sustainable food locally.

Later this year, we will be saying goodbye to three valued members of our board. Serving on a board is a great honour and these three farmers, nominated by our membership, have dedicated their time to representing the best interests of 38,000 farm families in Ontario.

In Ontario, our farmers use many strategies to support the growth of our crops while being environmentally conscious. Pesticides are a vital tool that can be used to safely manage pests that can be harmful to the health and quality of a farmer’s crop. These products are strategically used to minimize risk to beneficial species and allows for a biodiverse and robust ecological system that functions more efficiently to provide Canadians with a sustainable and secure food system.  

Farm life is busy and as we juggle its daily demands, we often forget that the farm’s most precious resource is the people behind it. Always remember, you are your farm’s most valuable asset.

COVID-19 continues to hinder in person gatherings and has led to another year of cancelled industry events. We wholeheartedly miss interacting with our farming families, commodity partners and industry stakeholders at in-person shows.

A lot of the problems that occur on a farm are tangible, meaning there is a direct cause and effect as to what the problem is. For example, a dysfunctional grain leg, broken-down equipment or a fence that needs mending. These are all obvious issues that we try to resolve right away to prevent a lack of productivity. But, what about the issues we don’t see?