Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

The CFFO Commentary: Christmas and the Difference it makes for Farming

By John Clement
December 24, 2010

I'm not by nature a person devoted to creeds and confessions, but every once in awhile something will strike me as particularly meaningful in one of those documents. At this Christmas season, some of the words found in the beginning of the Heidelberg Catechism strike me as appropriate. The question is asked "what is your only comfort in life and death?" And the answer is "that I with body and soul, both in life and death am not my own, but belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ..."

That, in a nutshell, is the whole rationale for the existence of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario. Because our lives belong to a Saviour who has a claim on our lives, we confess that his desires for the world have become our desires for the world. And we believe that He has desires for how farming is carried out, both in the practices used by farmers and in the policy environment that supports them.

How we make those desires a reality is very much an exercise in freedom, rather than according to a blueprint. Our members strive to be both entrepreneurial and collegial and use their freedom to make diverse choices regarding their operations and the policy choices that support them. Accordingly, the CFFO spends a good deal of time working with its members to clarify their goals and values and to work towards concrete expressions of those ideals.

That being said, it's never been an easy task to build an agricultural system that expresses values. For one thing, farming is incredibly dynamic and continually changing due to weather patterns, new technology, husbandry practices, trading patterns and generational expectations. And then there's the sheer difference of opinion that can take place regarding the choice of marketing systems, the amount of government intervention in the farming economy, and food choices by consumers.

Over the CFFO’s history, we’ve had several moments when we’ve been influential in persuading others about better ways to support farming. At the very least, we’ve been a witness to the fact that our farming needs to be conducted as stewards acting on behalf of another owner. And we see that as the practical application of the difference made through God’s actions at Christmas time.

Whatever your perspectives on such matters, I wish all listeners and readers a blessed Christmas and hope that after all the gifts are unwrapped that the central message of the season will find a place in your heart.



John Clement is the General Manager of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario. The CFFO Commentary represents the opinions of the writer and does not necessarily represent CFFO policy. The CFFO Commentary is heard weekly on CFCO Chatham, CKNX Wingham, Ontario and is archived on the CFFO website: www.christianfarmers.org. CFFO is supported by 4,200 family farmers across Ontario.

Views: 29

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

North American Farm Groups Unite to Strengthen USMCA/CUSMA Ahead of 2026 Review

Farm organizations across North America are urging governments to reinforce CUSMA/USMCA, warning that stability in cross-border trade is essential to producers in all three countries.

US Cuts Tariffs on Agricultural Machinery to 15% - What It Means for Farmers

The U.S. is reducing tariffs on farm equipment imports, a move expected to ease cost pressures for farmers and support equipment investment.

Farmer wellness initiative offers support across Ontario

The mental health of Ontario farmers is receiving greater attention through the Farmer Wellness Initiative, a program designed to support the well-being of farmers, farm workers, and their families across the province. Operated through Agriculture Wellness Ontario, the initiative offers free and unlimited counselling services tailored specifically to the agricultural community. Farming is often described as more than just a career; it is a lifestyle that comes with long hours, financial uncertainty, unpredictable weather, and emotional stress. Recognizing these challenges, the Farmer Wellness Initiative provides access to trained mental health professionals who understand the realities of agricultural life. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through a confidential helpline. The program is open to Ontario farmers, farm employees, international agricultural workers, and family members over the age of 16. Youth between 12 and 15 years old may also access services wi

Ontario's pitch to expand northern farming sparks questions from farmers, food security experts

Ontario is pitching its plan to expand agriculture in the north and restrict foreign ownership of farmland as a way to strengthen food security and protect farmers. But some farmers, researchers and environmental advocates say the proposed legislation leaves unanswered questions about land ownership, affordability and whether more production would improve food access in the north. The province introduced the Protecting Ontario’s Food Independence Act, 2026 on April 22. The bill would limit foreign ownership of farmland and “unlock” agricultural potential in the Clay Belt — a region of fertile soil in northeastern Ontario and northwestern Quebec covering 180,000 square kilometres. In a statement to CBC News, the Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth said expanding agricultural access in the Clay Belt would help farmers grow their businesses, create jobs, increase local production and strengthen domestic supply chains. Province says Clay Belt offers growth opportunity

Rapid seeding progress made in some areas of the province

Farmers are dealt with all kinds of weather conditions this spring. The mixed precipitation in late-April, subsequent rainfall, and the recent heat wave resulted in producers beginning seeding operations one week or more later than normal. Jeremy Welter farms in the Kerrobert area in west-central Saskatchewan and is also a Vice-President with the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS). He said while the warm weather allowed them to catch up, it did provide a challenge to equipment. "The high temperature did certainly help to dry land out so the guys could get on it. That being said, those really hot days, they add a lot of stress to your machinery," he said. "You really notice it when you get out of the tractor. Even on a cool day, the tractor's blowing a lot of warm air off of it, but on those plus 35 days that temperature is as hard on equipment as it is on people, so it definitely creates additional challenges." In the Kerrobert area, they're about a week to

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service