It’s a time of generational change in Ontario’s major farm organizations, with significant retirements of long-time stabilizing influences and the hiring of new leaders of a different generation. Neil Currie, for 19 years general manager of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), and Dave Stewart, executive director of Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO), where he’d […] Read more
Tag Archives ontario federation of agriculture — page 5
Editorial: Farm group management changing quickly
Robbins named new processing vegetable growers manager
The new GM will join the organization at a time of change in marketing
Keith Robbins is the new general manager of the Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers (OPVG). Robbins, who comes from the Poultry Industry Council to the OPVG, is an experienced employee and manager of agriculture industry associations. Robbins starts his new role Sept. 17 and takes over from Cathy Lennon who is the new general manager of […] Read more
An experienced look at farm organization futures
Retiring farm leaders on what Ontario agriculture needs to thrive
After years acting as organizational leaders in Ontario’s farm sector, Dave Stewart of Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO), and Neil Currie, who was for 19 years general manager of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), see great potential for the farm and food sector. However, both believe co-operation and ongoing efforts to foster new leadership […] Read more
Farm groups have less standing in new interim animal welfare system
Province sticking to January timeline for new animal welfare legislation
Livestock commodity organizations do not have formal standing to provide insight and expertise under a new interim regime for investigating and enforcing concerns regarding animal welfare in Ontario. But a representative for the province’s Solicitor General insists work is ongoing to allow that to become reality. Why it matters: Many livestock farmers are concerned that […] Read more
Province makes internet investment promise official
Conservatives commit to improve rural internet and cellular phone service
The Ontario government is investing $315 million over five years to expand internet access and cell phone service to more rural and remote families in the province. Premier Doug Ford made the announcement July 23 in Lucan, with several cabinet ministers in attendance. “Twelve per cent of communities don’t have cell signal or high speed […] Read more
Agriculture best understands its own program needs
Letter to the editor: Moving CAP funding for organizations from agri-food to the bureaucracy makes little sense
Dear Editor, In the end, who understands the issues of farming, agriculture and agri-food better than the industry itself? Recently, the province launched a program, called “Place to Grow: Agri-food Innovation Initiative, – a program which will help drive innovation, reduce red-tape, and address industry priorities”. From their media release, “under the Canadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP), this initiative […] Read more
Lennon to be new OFA general manager
She has worked across the agriculture sector for farmer organizations
Cathy Lennon will be the new general manager of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), replacing Neil Currie, who retires at the end of August. Lennon comes to the OFA from the Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers, after a long career with agriculture organizations. Why it matters: Neil Currie has with the OFA for 19 years, […] Read more
The food terminal debate
Large volumes of produce go through the Ontario Food Terminal every day, but it also sits on valuable land
Wholesalers and patrons of the Ontario Food Terminal are worried there is another agenda behind a government-ordered review of the facility. Although the stated purpose of the study commissioned by the Ford government is to determine how best to expand and modernize the facility, many worry that its location just into Etobicoke, west of Toronto’s […] Read more
Farm management training organization ceasing operations
The Agri-Food Management Institute’s programs will be carried on by two other organizations
As a result of “changes to its funding structure,” the Agri-Food Management Institute (AMI) — a Guelph-based organization supporting farm and other agri-businesses with resources, workshops and training — has announced it will cease operations by April 30. AMI’s resources will now be hosted by two other organizations. Why it matters: AMI was one of […] Read more
OMAFRA takes a large cut in Ontario budget
Investments made in broadband internet, focus put on reducing deficit
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) was budgeted for a cut of more than $200 million by 2020 in the recent provincial budget. The first budget from the provincial Progressive Conservative government included modest increases to health and education budgets, but cuts to most other ministries, including agriculture. The actual budget […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
