Tariffs and trade are front and centre these days from dominating news headlines and influencing election discussions to figuring prominently in government, business, organizational and even personal decisions nation-wide. Our agriculture, food and agribusiness sector, a key pillar of the provincial economy, is no different. Canada-wide, we export a large part of our agricultural production […] Read more
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Agriculture must be part of interprovincial trade barrier discussions: OFA Viewpoint
![Pictured from left to right: Zone 6 Director Crispin Colvin, Zone 14 Director Vanessa Renaud, Zone 9 Director Mark Reusser, Mary Brander, Bobby Robinson, Kyla Lewis, and Alaina MacDonald at the OFA annual general meeting in Toronto on Nov. 26, 2024. [Not pictured: Kaylee Wells].](https://static.farmtario.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26215233/7937BC92-CFBB-47F5-A147-920943E02059-660x420.jpeg)
Young leaders recognized by Ontario Federation of Agriculture
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture awarded five young people pursuing careers in agriculture each with a $2000 bursary. The undergraduate, postgraduate and apprenticeship awards were presented at the OFA’s annual general meeting in Toronto Nov. 26. OFA President Drew Spoelstra said in a release this year’s recipients “are passionate about agriculture, dedicated to their communities, […] Read more
We must protect farmland for the sake of future generations
Ontario farmers know better than most that this province is home to some of Canada’s richest and most fertile farmland. It’s where we grow food and feed for people and animals alike, but in addition to sustaining us, it also helps support climate change mitigation, benefits water and air quality and supports our environmental biodiversity. […] Read more
Survey shows Ontario farmers confident in future
Rising energy and input costs, and tax burden identified as concerns in OFA survey
Despite concerns about inflation, high interest rates, tax increases and geopolitical conflicts, the majority of Ontario farmers remain optimistic for the future. In its first ever business confidence survey, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) asked its membership about issues concerning them, and what OFA advocacy efforts should focus on. The survey took place in […] Read more
Ontario Federation of Agriculture invests in local initiatives
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) announced it is making an additional contribution of over $100,000 into its Revive Fund for 2024. The Revive Fund provides matching funding to help the OFA’s 51 county and regional federations plan, develop and launch projects and initiatives in support of agriculture and their local communities. OFA said in […] Read more
New funding program to promote Ontario farmers, farmers’ markets
A new cost-share funding program has been launched to support marketing projects promoting Ontario farmers at farmers’ markets across the province. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is contributing $50,000 to the initiative as a result of a first-ever partnership with Farmers’ Markets Ontario (FMO). Under the new program, funding will be available for marketing […] Read more
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. Underused Housing Tax In 2022, the federal Underused Housing Tax (UHT) Act became law, putting a tax on the […] Read more
Agriculture’s importance to rural economic development highlighted at ROMA event
Drew Spoelstra was pleasantly surprised by the agriculture sector’s recognition at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) annual conference held earlier this week. “(There’s) recognition that agriculture is a huge economic driver in this province,” the president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) told Farmtario. “And we continue to supply a lot of jobs […] Read more
OFA’s proposal to remove Policy Advisory Council tabled to 2024
The OFA board is proposing to change its Policy Advisory Council to a policy forum which will change how the board hears from its members outside of the annual meeting. In one of her last roles as president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), Peggy Brekveld introduced discussion on the organization’s proposal to remove […] Read more
OFA recognizes five young leaders at annual convention
Five young people currently pursuing future careers in agriculture have each won a bursary of $2,000 from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). The undergraduate, postgraduate and apprenticeship awards were presented at the OFA’s Annual General Meeting in Toronto Nov. 20. The OFA has long awarded post-secondary bursaries to three undergraduate students, but last year […] Read more
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