Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

AALP Class 13 North American Study Tour Day 4

July 8, 2010 - As the class travelled from the state of Ohio and into Pennsylvania, we enjoyed the rolling hills and deep wooded valleys on our way to State College PA, home of Penn State University. It was here that we would meet a number of cutting edge leaders from the Pennsylvania Commonwealth.

Upon our arrival in State College, we were fortunate to have Mr. Russell Redding, the Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Pennsylvania (Department of Agriculture) as our key speaker of the day. The Secretary spoke of how leadership is not a popularity contest where decisions are made by public opinion. Rather, leadership can be a lonely occupation as sometimes we have to "lead by making a decision that is not easy or attractive." Bruce VanderWees, Thunder Bay, ON commented, "This reaffirms my journey with AALP, as I continue to learn about being a leader through making decisions that are in the best interest of community and industry rather than my personal opinion or thoughts of my peers."

Redding was an engaging speaker who was well received and was found to be quite intriguing in the manner in which he addressed the group. A man who comes across as being humble, while being divinely interested in agriculture is sometimes a rarity in this industry. What surprised us the most perhaps, was how this man could have a different impact on each individual in the room. Mr. Redding expressed that in a state which is so proud of its agriculture industry which shows increasing numbers of farms and farmers (as opposed to decreasing which is more common throughout the rest of North America) that one of their biggest challenges continues to be one that we also face in Ontario. Mr. Redding talked about the need for one voice which is a phenomenon we also share in Ontario. "So many interest groups, with so many different voices," said Redding. “It is interesting to see that where agriculture is booming or challenged, at home and afar, the same problems are faced by regions thousands of miles apart,” shared Clinton Buttar, Guelph, ON.

Brian Detwiler, VP MidAtlantic Farm Credit provided a presentation on 'A National Perspective on Ag Credit'. During the seminar break he expressed a strong desire to learn the details of the Canadian dairy supply management system, and asked Bonnie den Haan, Loretto, ON some pointed questions about the quota exchange and over quota controls. Secretary Redding also spoke of the desperate state of the American dairy industry and suggested change must take place in the next couple of years - the Canadian model has been discussed in farm and government circles. We look forward to further discussion on this topic with guest speaker and dairy farmer, Erick Coolidge, at tomorrow’s session.

It was definitely a thought provoking afternoon with many takeaways for all. The day provided a group of interesting and dynamic speakers to say the least, challenging our perceptions on leadership, agriculture, and community.

In the evening we enjoyed a reception at the Happy Valley Villa with our counter parts from RULE, the rural leadership program in Pennsylvania.

Clinton Buttar, Bonnie den Haan, Bruce VanderWees – AALP Class 13

Views: 232

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

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

Dry conditions behind rapid seeding progress

Spring seeding is well underway across Saskatchewan, with 18 per cent of the 2025 crop now planted. The current provincial seeding progress of 18 per cent is ahead of the five-year average (2020-2024) of 10 per cent and the 10-year average (2015-2024) of 12 per cent. Despite multiple storms throughout the province in April, producers were able to get into their fields and make rapid progress over the last couple of weeks. The southwest region is the furthest advanced with 43 per cent seeded so far and the first seeded crops starting to emerge. The northwest and southeast regions are also making good progress with 15 per cent and 14 per cent of seeding complete, respectively. The west-central region is reporting 11 per cent seeding completion, and the east-central and northeast regions are both reporting nine per cent of seeding complete. Pulse crops are leading in seeding completion, with lentils at 34 per cent seeded, field peas at 31 per cent and chickpeas at 28 per cent. Durum is

Fighting global hunger one crop at a time

As Saskatchewan farmers begin seeding the 2025 crop, Grow Hope Saskatchewan is launching its eighth growing season with a new partner at the table. Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) has joined the ecumenical project expanding the collective effort to end global hunger. “We are thrilled to join this vital project, partnering with Canadian Foodgrains Bank, local farmers, and fellow agencies as we work together toward our shared goal of ending world hunger,” said Cody Cleave, CLWR Donor Relations Manager. Saskatchewan Representative for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and a member of the Grow Hope SK Steering Committee Rick Block said CLWR is a welcomed addition. “It’s encouraging to see more churches coming together around something so tangible and effective,” Block said. Grow Hope Saskatchewan connects farmers who donate land with donors who cover input costs of roughly $350 per acre. Crops are grown and harvested, and proceeds are matched up to 4:1 through Canadian Foodgrains Ban

Alberta join group that monitors apiaries near crop fields

A non-profit company that promotes communication and stewardship among crop producers, beekeepers and pesticide applicators has welcomed Alberta as the third provincial member. FieldWatch also includes 27 states, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the District of Columbia. The membership will enable Alberta hobbyists and commercial beekeepers, as well as organic and conventional crop producers, to use a secure, easy-to-use online registry to identify and map the locations of apiaries and crop fields that pesticide applicators should avoid. The free and voluntary registries, DriftWatch™ and BeeCheck™, will be available to all Alberta beekeepers and crop producers. FieldWatch President and CEO Bob Walters said FieldCheck® is the online and mobile portal that pesticide applicators can use to improve decision-making and avoid damage from spray drift to crops and beehives. “The goal is to get beekeepers and crop producers registered through FieldWatch so applicators can access accurate inform

International Day of Plant Health is May 12

May 12 marks the International Day of Plant Health, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is reminding everyone of their role in safeguarding agriculture, forests, and the environment in Canada.

Collaborative efforts improve living and working conditions for Ontario’s TFWs

As spring arrives, Ontario’s fruit and vegetable farms are once again welcoming seasonal and temporary farm workers from other countries.

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service