Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

AALP Class 16 Interacts with Leaders in Canada and the United States

Guelph, ON, July 25, 2016 - Over 10 days in early July, the future agricultural leaders that make up the current Advanced Agriculture Leadership (AALP) class were exposed to interactive learning through their North America Study Tour (NAST).


The 2016 NAST included stops in Eastern Ontario, Quebec, New York State, Washington DC, Maryland and Pennsylvania focusing on production challenges, unique marketing initiatives, environmental obligations and the evolving concept of social license. Each stop offered a unique perspective for the class members to learn about and to analyze through discussion amongst the class.


The multitude of stops included a processing vegetable facility, several farm market operations, a couple different dairy operations, the Canadian Embassy, the battlefield in Gettysburg and the campus of Pennsylvania State, among others.


Throughout the tours, common issues arose. For example, many stops included discussions around an easement on land development rights – an alternative approach to Ontario’s ‘Green-Belt’ program. This approach allows for land owners to ensure that their land is not developed in the future by receiving monetary compensation, but it struggles by creating large swaths of contiguous land bases that are protected. Another common theme was that of “social license” – the concept that society has a vested interest in how food is produced and the role agricultural leaders can play in both earning and maintaining societal acceptance of farming practices.


The trip also included many inspirational examples of how hard work, dedication and a vision can move agriculture forward as well as how it can stagnate if those things are missing or ignored. Zach Gihorski, a current class member of the Pennsylvania equivalent to AALP, The Rural Urban Leadership (RULE), summed up the experience perfectly by telling the class “when you leave here, remember why you came.”


The current AALP class began in September 2015, and the NAST experience marks approximately the half-way point for the class of 16, which concludes in March of next year. To follow the rest of journey, connect on Twitter at @AALPClass or like the AALP Facebook page.


During the 19-month program, AALP participants learn about leadership and organizational development theories and practices, government and political process, economics, trade policy, global affairs, sector and industry related issues in Ontario and globally through seminars across Ontario, analysis issue projects, the NAST and an international study component.


AALP is delivered by the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI). Established in 1984, the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) has graduated almost 450 leaders who are making a positive difference across Ontario and beyond. For more information, visit ruralontarioinstitute.ca/aalp.

For information, contact:
Rob Black
Chief Executive Officer
Rural Ontario Institute
(519) 826-4204 (Ext. 222)
rblack@ruralontarioinstitute.ca

Views: 335

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

Investing in Alberta’s future vets

A new program funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership will encourage veterinary students to work and stay in rural Alberta. The two-year, $250,000 Veterinary Student Recruitment and Retention Pilot Grant Program is aimed at enticing rural practices to hire summer veterinary students and encouraging students to continue their careers in those communities. The program focuses on practices that provide livestock veterinary services and have a current or anticipated veterinarian vacancy. Albertans need vets they can rely on in all corners of the province. The demand is especially high in rural communities, where veterinary access is essential to livestock producers’ livelihoods. Rural vet clinics can apply now for the pilot grant program. Eligible clinics will receive up to $10,000 as a wage incentive, for one veterinary student who works at the clinic between May 1 and August 31. Applications for 2027 will open next year.

Province Celebrates International Year of the Woman Farmer

The Government of Saskatchewan celebrates International Year of the Woman farmer and the women whose leadership, innovation and hard work continue to strengthen the province's agriculture sector. "Women have helped shape every part of our agriculture sector, strengthening both our economy and our communities," Agriculture Minister David Marit said. "From farming and ranching operations to research labs and processing facilities, their leadership across the value chain is driving the innovation that continues to keep Saskatchewan at the forefront of Canadian agriculture." Saskatchewan is home to more than 34,000 farms, most of them family owned, many of them operated by husband-and-wife partnerships, and a growing number run by women. The province has an active network of female agriculture professionals who strive to connect and encourage women in the industry and serve on various industry association boards and committees. One such network is Saskatchewan Women in Ag. "Saskatche

Youth Recognized for Creating Sustainable Solutions Through AgriFood Challenge

4-H youth across Canada are proving they have what it takes to tackle some of the biggest issues facing our planet. Through the AgriFood Challenge, a national initiative delivered by 4-H Canada in partnership with Syngenta Canada, 4-H members developed actionable solutions to support sustainable agriculture and food security in each of their communities.  From building bee hotels to growing and donating fresh produce to food banks and community organizations, 4-H members turned ideas into action. Youth also taught others how to grow, cook, preserve, and waste less food. Through creative soil health experiments, food rescue advocacy, and community education, these projects show how young people are connecting agriculture, sustainability, and community care in practical, meaningful ways.  “This is a testament to the skills and talents of 4-H'ers. When given the chance to be innovative, they can solve difficult problems” said Christina Franc, CEO of 4-H Canada. “The projects submitted t

More ag superstitions for Friday the 13th

Beef and dairy producers appear to be surrounded by weather forecasters

Map: February Precipitation Reduces Prairie Dryness, Drought

February brought notable dryness and drought relief across the Prairies, although localized areas continue to suffer. The latest monthly update of the Canadian Drought Monitor shows 47% of Prairie agricultural lands were being impacted by abnormal dryness or some form of drought as of the end of last month. That is down from 62% in both January and December, and 71% in November. Most of the Prairie Region experienced above-normal precipitation during February, with large portions of the region receiving 115% to more than 200% of normal. In contrast, southern Alberta and parts of southwestern Saskatchewan remained comparatively dry, with precipitation totals below 85% of normal and localized pockets receiving less than 60%. Snow cover was initially reduced during early February due to warm, dry conditions, but late-month winter storms increased snowfall across much of the region, bringing totals back to near or above normal in many areas. Although winter precipitation through the

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service