Harvest of all kinds is in full swing in Ontario, from grains and other field crops to a wide range of fruits and vegetables. Many of these crops, particularly produce, are sold directly to consumers at farmers’ markets across the province, along with flowers, meat, honey, baked goods, jams and other items made with locally grown ingredients.

The latest statistics just released by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness show the tremendous impact the agri-food sector, which includes farming, agricultural processing, retail and food service, has on the provincial economy.

Ontario is a large province, and its geography is as diverse as its people. That diversity is also evident when it comes to agriculture. Ontario’s farmers produce more than 200 different agricultural commodities, from milk, eggs and meat to fruits, vegetables, flowers, crops for feed and fuel and more.

As an advocacy organization for farmers, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture takes action to ensure the concerns of its members come to the attention of decision-makers.

Fertilizer is one of the most important tools on the farm, providing crops with the nutrients they need to grow but can’t get from the soil alone.

Safety is important in farming, and many organizations work hard to raise awareness of being safe around farm machinery or when working with livestock. The topic of safety around harvested grain can be overlooked – but with grain harvest now underway in Ontario, it’s also an important one to know about.

The Senate of Canada has made a series of recommendations around the future of Canada’s soils and their strategic importance to our country. The findings are part of a report released last month by the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry called “Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada’s Economic, Environmental, Human, and Social Health” – and they’re particularly welcomed by farmers whose livelihoods depend on healthy, productive soils. 

Any organization with a membership structure knows how important it is to ensure their members are getting value for being part of the organization. It’s an ongoing priority and for Ontario’s largest farm organization, it’s one that the Ontario Federation of Agriculture takes seriously.

Three years ago, many farming and rural communities were struggling under the ongoing impacts of the pandemic. This prompted the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), the province’s largest organization representing farmers, to launch its Revive Fund.

Two topics often make headlines when it comes to agriculture – the relatively high average age (56) of Canada’s farmers and the ongoing labour shortage that makes it hard to attract enough workers to fill the many positions available throughout the food system.