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.

The deadline for membership renewal in the Ontario Federation of Agriculture is quickly approaching. There are several ways that farmers, farm businesses and agricultural organizations can hold a membership in the OFA, which is the leading advocate and strongest voice for Ontario’s farmers.

Ontario’s election campaign continues in full swing and candidates across the province are hearing from voters about the issues that matter to them. In communities and municipalities outside of our urban areas, those issues more often than not focus on the critical need for investments into rural infrastructure.

Buying local has always been an important part of our agriculture and food production system. Consumer interest in particular in shopping closer to home for their food products has been on the rise over the last two decades or so – and that interest has been particularly strong in recent years.

At the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, we regularly meet with politicians from all political parties and all levels of government. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that agricultural and rural needs and concerns are put in front of decision-makers. During an election, however, the OFA puts a particular push on engaging with politicians from all parts of the province as they vie for votes on the campaign trail.

Strengthening ties between rural municipal leaders and the farm community was on the agenda last week as representatives from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture took part in the annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference.

All eyes are on Washington, DC this week as a new president is sworn in, and a new government takes power. The new administration will bring many changes both known and unknown – and a big concern for Canada is the potential for tariffs on Canadian goods, including agriculture and agri-food products, exported to the United States.