Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

The CFFO Commentary: Listening to Farmers' Concerns Key to Good Representation

By Paul Bootsma

October 29, 2010

For groups like the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, there is no substitute for attending farm shows and catching the pulse of what farmers are thinking. This year’s farm shows were no exception, with three key points coming across again and again from farmers in attendance.

· The continuing value of good farmland. Good farmland taken out of production is seen by most people as directly tied to food production and not just a loss of land. And yet farmers have mixed feelings regarding the effectiveness of the tools to preserve farmland. Most see public policy tools as either not preserving farmland, while some see them as an overbearing approach that limits agricultural development on land that is preserved. The Greenbelt comes to mind in the latter regard.

· Where have all the young people gone? Many farmers are concerned that the next generation sees much more opportunity in the cities than on the farm. Some, however, do note that larger operations are employing more people and that some farm kids are finding their way into agriculture through the side door. Some conversations at farm shows would suggest that maybe it’s time to recognize farm employees as farmers and find ways to involve them more in questions concerning agriculture.

· The recognition of Ontario farm products. The CFFO operates a corporate logo contest at its booth and at least 75 per cent of those who attended were able to identify the Foodland Ontario logo. This clearly speaks to the ongoing opportunity to clearly identify and promote Ontario farm products to the province’s consumers.

These three points came up regularly from farmers in widely spread geographic regions, ranging from the Ottawa Valley to southwestern Ontario. The CFFO listens to these gathered points of agreement and builds them into its position statements in order to meet the needs of members. By way of example, the Federation continues to develop strong advocacy positions for preserving the best farmland, has spent a good deal of time at its annual conventions discussing succession planning, and has developed a number of perspectives on labelling Ontario farm products.

The CFFO continuously gathers information from farmers, members and non-members alike. Meeting farmers at places where they gather and contemplate business and management decisions has tremendous value when we need to understand and respond to the issues of the day. There is additional value when the general public attends these farm shows as well, as there is opportunity to connect farmers and consumers in one place. Helping the general public to understand the needs of agriculture and the cohesiveness that is required to coexist in rural Ontario is part of our organization’s efforts.

Highlighting farmers’ concerns and developing solutions are part of the CFFO’s mandate. The CFFO will continue to reach out to Ontario’s farmers and listen to their ideas and thoughts on the business of farming.

Paul Bootsma is the District and Member Representative 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: 33

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

Agriculture and agri-food events build momentum around Agriculture Enlightened conference

EMILI’s annual Agriculture Enlightened conference is taking place on October 23, 2025, at the Delta Hotel in Winnipeg. This year’s theme is Driving Agriculture Innovation. Together we’ll explore how farmers and others in the Canadian agriculture industry are adopting agtech, discuss ways to navigate the shifting global trade landscape, and connect with leaders advancing innovation across Canada. A number of EMILI’s partners are hosting amazing agriculture and agri-food events the same week as Agriculture Enlightened 2025. Whether you’re looking for something to do ahead of Agriculture Enlightened or continue networking afterwards, check out these upcoming events.   Young Entrepreneurs Awards Hosted by MEIA, League of Innovators, and Manitoba Innovates Wednesday, October 22, 4:30pm – 9:00pm Location: The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre 400+ nominations, 6 awards, and 1 big night to celebrate Canada’s greatest young entrepreneurs and the future of sustainability! Purchase tickets

St. Benedict educator and farmer receives Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan’s Champion Award

For the past decade, Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan recognizes a person who strives to engage consumers about agriculture and helps farmers build public trust in our province and beyond. The Champion Award was presented Tuesday morning in Saskatoon to Sandra Hessdorfer from St. Benedict. Sandra, her husband and two teenage sons have a grain farm and black angus cattle. Her off-farm job is the Ag Education Officer with the Horizon School Division. Her duties include delivering presentations, supporting school programs, and organizing an annual Student Ag Day for all Grade 10 students. The event is held in Humboldt and attracted 570 students and their teachers from across the Horizon School Division, which is the largest by area in the province. Hessdorfer is also a past-chair of Women in Ag and has been active with Ag in the Classroom and Saskatchewan 4-H. CJWW Agriculture Director Neil Billinger spoke to Sandra shortly after she received her award.

Indefinite pause placed on Crown land sales

A two-year moratorium on Crown land sales expired in August, and plans were made for an October auction which had already been advertised online. Nearly 4,500 acres of cultivated and grazing farmland was split into 18 lots. That sale is being paused at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture. There has been opposition voiced by the NDP and Indigenous people. Late last week, Premier Scott Moe told reporters “it was a case of where we just got a little bit ahead of ourselves in that process starting again.” In a statement, the Government of Saskatchewan explained the parcels of land that were going up for auction had previously been leased agricultural land where the leases had been surrendered or cancelled.

Mustard millers relish investment tax credit

G.S. Dunn Limited (G.S. Dunn) is investing approximately $30 million to grow its mustard milling facility in Bow Island supported by a $3.1 million Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit (APITC) from Alberta’s government. The project has created 34 new jobs and allowed G.S. Dunn to access two new markets in Japan and South Korea. The expansion will also increase its purchase of raw mustard seed from $13 million to $44 million with all seed coming from western Canada. “Investors continue to choose Alberta as a place to establish roots, grow and expand because it makes good business sense. The Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit is just one of the ways our government commits to creating ideal conditions for businesses while attracting investment, diversifying the economy and creating more jobs for Albertans.” RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation The Bow Island expansion is the second phase of G.S. Dunn’s value-added mustard milling project. Since its initial expansion

Canada Post strike affecting Harvest Sample Program

Farmers can drop off harvest samples in person at multiple locations

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service