Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Agricorp too heavy handed?

This past month a new policy from Agricorp was brought to my attention that has resulted in some board members of various agricultural commodity groups to resign. Apparently the new rules state that you either work for Agricorp or you can sit on a local volunteer agricultural organization board of directors - but not both.
It went over worse than a "lead balloon" (so to speak) locally. It seems convenient that Agricorp developed policies that benefit the organization but does not good for the agricultural community. Conflict of Interest is the excuse. See the article written by Better Farming for further explanation.
Is Agricorp taking it too far or should we all quit our local boards when a potential conflict of interest may occur?

Views: 212

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Schwartzentruber on January 7, 2010 at 2:36am
How could anyone say that god is too heavy handed?
Permalink Reply by Ken McCormack on January 31, 2010 at 3:35pm
This does seem a bit over the top. I can see some senior positions or Agricorp directors being restricted, But all staff? Many local NFP agriculture groups are hurting for organizers now. To cut them further is to eliminate them. This industry is in a downward spiral for the small producer.

With all those who keep demanding audits of Agricorp I can only say that one was completed and clearly showed Agricorp was not given the resources to develop the system they need for modern programs. The CAIS database is being used for purposes it was never intended. The audit made excellent recommendations. We do not need more audits, we now need the same people that demanded the audits to demand the government give Agricorp some one time additional funding to implement the auditor's report. After all Agricorp has wisely not taken funds from the farm programs to use for developing processes from the report, let's give them credit where it is due and help them out to serve us better.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Market Movers to Watch for the Week of April 6

Key reports that farmers should watch which could have significant impacts on commodity markets the week of April 6th, 2025

MU Extension holds short-term operating plan workshops

If key decision-makers on a farm are unable to make decisions for a short time (two weeks to six months), how well would their farm operations continue? University of Missouri Extension will host “On My Own: Planning for the Unplanned” workshops on short-term operating plans to help landowners and farm operators make sound decisions when preparing for the unexpected. “Farmers can be sidelined by health concerns, cognitive issues, accidents and injuries, family caretaker duties, military deployment or anything else that inhibits their ability to make decisions and operate their farm,” Amie Breshears, MU Extension agricultural business specialist, said in a news release. A short-term operating plan provides essential information and structure to keep the farm running until the key decision-maker is ready to resume their role, she said. Participants will leave the series with knowledge of components of short-term operating plans, Breshears said. The program is designed for female lan

Farmers deeply concerned about ag trade

Weaker expectations for the future led to a decline in farmer sentiment in March as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index decreased 12 points to a reading of 140, a decrease from 152 a month earlier. The farmer view of the future was decidedly less optimistic in March than in February, as the Index of Future Expectations dipped to 144, which was 15 points less than in February. A weaker Current Conditions Index, which decreased 5 points in March to 132, also contributed to the weakening in farmer sentiment. Reductions in key crop prices since mid-February, combined with concerns about the future of agricultural trade and farm policy, were important factors behind the sentiment shift. Even with the decline in expectations for the future, farmers were still more optimistic about the future than the current situation. The Future Expectations Index remained 12 points more than the Current Conditions Index. The March barometer survey took place March 10-14. Coinciding

Research farm seeks more farmer input

Staff at the Iowa State University Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm are trying to rouse up more attention and input from regional producers. ISU Extension staff and Northeast Iowa Agricultural Experimental Association officers reminded members at a recent annual meeting about the importance of their input for upcoming seasonal activities at the research farm, which is also home to the Borlaug Learning Center outside of Nashua in Chickasaw County, Iowa. “We are the best-kept secret in northeast Iowa,” Tim Burrack, president of the NIAEA, said to about 50 members filling a classroom on the farm. “We need to remind people this research farm is here for them.” The farm will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026. The NIAEA owns the 260-acre research and demonstration farm. Iowa State and the association partnered to open the Borlaug Learning Center in 2009. The center includes Extension and research farm offices, rural development office space and meeting rooms.

Manitoba Government Providing $150 Million for Agricultural Producers

The Manitoba government will provide farmers and producers with more than $150 million in supports, including $10 million to match federal AgriStability funding, Premier Wab Kinew announced today. “We’re standing up for Westman and Western Canada, and protecting your jobs,” said Kinew. “With $150 million in supports for agriculture, we’re making sure that farmers and producers can weather the economic uncertainty we’re facing and protecting jobs in the agriculture industry.” The Manitoba government will provide $10 million in additional matching funds for the AgriStability program, as well as $140.8 million for business risk management programming including AgriInsurance, Wildlife Damage Compensation and AgriInvest. The premier noted the province is also working with farmers, producers and businesses to protect jobs, strengthen Manitoba’s economy and respond to tariffs from China and the United States, in addition to working with Keystone Agricultural Producers toward a number of sh

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service