Keith Robbins.

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

Dave Stewart (l) and Neil Currie retired this summer from the helms of BFO and OFA respectively.

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

The interim chief inspector looking after animal welfare is said to be consulting with veterinary and animal welfare experts on all major livestock species.

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

Premier Doug Ford announced $315 million in funding for high speed internet improvements.

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 organizations had more of a partnership with the AAC than they expect with OMAFRA administration of funding.

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


cathy lennon

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

Produce piled at the Ontario Food Terminal.

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

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


Ontario Premier Doug Ford waves during his unofficial swearing in ceremony last summer.

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

OFA responds to Middlesex tax change rejection

Letter to the Editor: The county continued to support further tax burden shift to farmer

Dear Editor: The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has serious concerns with the recent comments made by Middlesex County Warden Kurtis Smith in the March 27th London Free Press article, ‘Middlesex County rejects farmers’ bid for lower tax ratio’ by Jonathan Juha. Warden Smith’s comments clearly indicate Middlesex County’s lack of understanding of Ontario’s property […] Read more