August 13, 2010 - Ontario’s goat industry received a significant investment today with the announcement of just over $700,000 in funding towards the implementation of a goat genetic improvement program. GoGen is an integrated goat genetic improvement program that incorporates the use of milk recording, classification, registration, genetic evaluation, assessment of artificial insemination use and young sire  testing and development of on-farm health protocols.

By Bette Jean Crews, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

August 12, 2010 - For decades, Canada’s prison farm system has been instilling some worthwhile life skills in individuals as they spend time at the institutions.

July 30, 2010 - World scientists are coming out in agreement that global warming is a fact and action needs to be taken sooner than later to slow the process.

July 23, 2010 - Farmers must make their voices heard as changes in agriculture accelerate. This was the key message for twenty eight emerging Ontario agriculture-sector leaders on their ten day journey through five Northeastern states visiting innovative farms, and hearing from government officials and researchers.

July 5, 2010 - Sheep producers can look forward to enhance genetic improvement services as a result of a $275,000 investment by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

July 9, 2010 - Faced with a 27 per cent cut in price on a contract with the Ontario Government for the production of green energy, Ontario farmers question the management of the program and the intent of the government on green energy.

Guelph, ON [June 30, 2010] – Demonstrating his commitment to rural Canada and his party’s commitment to tackling the rural-urban divide, Frank Valeriote, Member of Parliament for Guelph paid a visit to the offices of the recently formed Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) on Monday, June 28, 2010. Valeriote is a member of the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food.

That’s not always the case. Our provincial and federal governments have given the country proof that speedy action is possible, at least if Native Canadians and the G8 and G20 summits are part of the mix.

June 14, 2010 - Summer is known by most people as the time when farmers are busiest planting, growing and harvesting crops in their fields. There’s another responsibility many farmers will be working on over the next few months – working the fields of politics, seeking ways to improve the business environment for farming in Ontario.

May 28, 2010 - Several decades ago, farmers were encouraged to expand their operations – get bigger – if they wanted to survive. Government officials provided statistics showing the importance of larger, more efficient operations.

Guelph, ON [April 19, 2010] – Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak demonstrated his commitment to rural Ontario by meeting with key members of the recently formed Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) last week. With a mandate to provide a voice and leadership for a strong and vibrant rural Ontario, ROI was officially launched April 1, 2010. 

GUELPH, ON (April 15, 2010) – Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) is greatly disappointed with the result of the second reading of bill C-474 last night. The bill passed last evening with 153 voting in favour and 134 opposed. The bill now goes to the Agriculture Standing Committee for review.

April 9, 2010 - Thousands of Ontario farmers, producers of a wide variety of commodities, are seeing their economic position deteriorating. They have joined together in the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition and are calling on the federal and provincial governments to take action to sustain their farms.

April 8, 2010 - (GUELPH, ON) – One is an event that has provided a venue for farmers and hundreds of thousands of Toronto consumers to meet and get to know each other. The other has been a tireless supporter of research and innovation benefitting farmers in this province for many decades.

Both were honoured recently by the annual Friend of OFAC award, presented this year to the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) and to Mississauga resident Brian Ellsworth.

Guelph, ON [April 1, 2010] – Accomplished leader and rural Ontario advocate Rob Black has been named as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the new Rural Ontario Institute. Well-known in the agricultural industry, Black will lead the new not-for-profit organization that officially began operations today, April 1, 2010.

April 1, 2010 - The Ontario Federation of Agriculture continues to work with government and others to develop policies and procedures to bring biomass as a source of energy from Ontario farms to Ontario society.

The Ontario Swine Health Advisory Board (OSHAB) is pleased to announce that Dr. Jane Carpenter has accepted the position of Swine Disease Control Project Coordinator (SDCPC).

Event to focus on social licenses to farm, ongoing activism campaigns, legislation affecting farmers and more

March 26, 2010 - GUELPH, ONTARIO –The Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC) and its sister group Agricultural Groups Concerned about Resources and the Environment (AGCare), are pleased to welcome renowned speaker Bruce Vincent to Ontario when he serves as the keynote speaker at a day-long program hosted by the two groups on April 8, 2010 in Guelph.

By Bette Jean Crews, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

March 26, 2010 - Patience and perseverance sums up much of what Ontario’s budget outlook offers agriculture for the long term. As expected, there was no new funding announced in the budget, but that doesn’t mean our efforts end here.  It simply means we need to continue to fight for the prudent investments needed to pull up our rural economy and preserve local food for the future of Ontario.

March 19, 2010 - Ontario farmers will be paying close attention to what Finance Minister Duncan includes in his budget on March 25th .

We’re looking to the budget to enable necessary business risk management and other regulatory reform to support our farmers.

(Innisfail, AB – March 3, 2010)  The Canadian Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust is accepting applications for their 2011 program. Applications are due by April 30, 2010 and forms can be downloaded from the Nuffield Canada website at http://www.nuffield.ca.

Guelph ON, March 4, 2010 – Looking to the future will be the focus of a swine industry education event at the end of the month.

The tenth annual London Swine Conference will run March 31 and April 1 at the London Convention Centre.

GUELPH, ON - March 2, 2010 - Ontario Independent Meat Processors (OIMP) recognized outstanding industry achievements and crowned the 2010 People's Choice Award winners during its 30th Anniversary Awards Banquet at The Meating Place on February 27 in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Join the Ontario Pork Industry Council as we celebrate our 10th Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at the Arden Park Hotel, Stratford from 4:00pm -10:00pm

February 26, 2010 - Partners in the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition find themselves up against a brick wall when they turn for action to Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Hon. Gerry Ritz.

February 5, 2010 - Canadian farmers wonder why so much effort is needed to convince governments that spending on agriculture is a good investment – that investments in agriculture by governments pay dividends.

February 1, 2010 – (STRATFORD, ON) The Ontario Pork Industry Council (OPIC) is pleased to announce that all pledges from the 2010 Hog Jog will be going to The Stratford General Hospital Foundation – to be used specifically for the purchase of life-saving cardiac equipment for the new emergency unit.  The charity run/walk will be held the evening of Tuesday, June 22nd at the Stratford Rotary Complex. 

 January 29, 2010 - The route for taking agriculture’s issues to government has some new faces. I’m looking forward to working with Ontario’s new minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs, the Hon. Carol Mitchell of the Huron-Bruce riding, and want to thank Leona Dombrowsky for her dedication and effort as minister over the past four+ years.

January 29, 2010 (Guelph, ON) – The Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC) and AGCare are embarking on a new shared staffing arrangement for 2010.  Crystal Mackay, Executive Director of OFAC, will take on the responsibility as Executive Director for AGCare for the duration of 2010. 

January 21, 2010 - Ontario’s Endangered Species Act offers considerable protection for a wide variety of species at risk of becoming extinct, but farmers should be able to recover compensation for the costs they incur protecting those species.

As a farmer, what’s your number one issue?

January 8, 2010 Travelling throughout Ontario, talking to farmers provides people like me, the President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, with an abundance of thoughts on what agriculture’s top 10 issues should be.

Guelph, ON [November 24, 2009] – Two provincial organizations have merged to create the new Rural Ontario Institute, a not-for-profit organization formed to provide stronger support for key issues facing rural Ontario. The Centre for Rural Leadership (TCRL) and The Ontario Rural Council (TORC) will officially amalgamate on April 1, 2010 to form the Rural Ontario Institute, operating out of the Ontario AgriCentre in Guelph, ON.

November 19, 2009 (Guelph) Ontario Rabbit (OR) is pleased to announce that Dave Kabbes has been re-elected to the position of OR President at the organization’s inaugural board meeting held recently.  

November 25, 2009 - The Quebec and Ontario veal industries are celebrating a number of important milestones in the further development of the Canadian veal industry.  Representatives from Canada’s largest veal producing provinces, with over 95% of Canada’s veal production in Quebec and Ontario, have come together to create the Canadian Veal Association (CVA).

November 5, 2009 - Toronto, Ontario - Grain Farmers of Ontario have a significant presence at this year’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, from November 6 to 15.

Guelph, ON (November 2) – The Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) has announced the recipients of its annual Paul Mistele Memorial Award. This year the award has been given to the partners in the Provincial Milk Program: Dairy Farmers of Ontario, the Ontario Dairy Council, and the Ontario Milk Transport Association.  The OAFB presented the recipients with the award at the 2009 Ontario’s Harvest Gala in Guelph, an event hosted by the Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC).

Guelph, November 4, 2009 – The Ontario Pork Board of Directors are pleased to announce the appointment of Ken Ovington as the General Manager for the organization effective November 4, 2009. 

October 23, 2009 - Guelph, Ontario –  The Foundation for Rural Living’s Rural Development Officer (RDO) Program – JCP Model in partnership with RBC was announced today. The RDO Program – JCP Model recruits and places unemployed individuals as Rural Development Officers (RDOs) with rural Community Partner organizations for up to one year.  Eligible individuals will be able to begin as early as October 26th, 2009. 

Guelph, Ontario, October 19, 2009 – The credible voices of farmers and other advocates for responsible animal care often get lost in the swirling animal welfare debate. But Canada’s farm animal councils are working to change that with a newly launched blog entitled “Let’s talk farm animals.”

October 6, 2009 - Almost one hundred alumni, supporters and friends recently joined together to celebrate the silver anniversary of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) on September 15, 2009 at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS).  AALP has been ‘growing’ leaders for 25 years!  Alumni representing each of the past classes were in attendance to reunite with fellow alumni, past staff members and to meet other program stakeholders in celebration of AALP.

October 8, 2009 - The thirteenth class of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) began their 19-month leadership journey with an intensive four-day seminar in Guelph from September 27 to 30, 2009.

September 25, 2009 - KITCHENER, ON – Ground was broken today on a new food processing institute that will go a long way in addressing skilled labour shortages in Ontario’s food and beverage processing sector.

September 11, 2009 - KITCHENER, ONTARIO—Today’s AgriProcessing funding announcement by the federal government is positive news for Ontario’s food and beverage processors, says the industry association representing more than 300 food and beverage processors across the Province.

Visitors to this year’s Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show north of Woodstock will have an opportunity to witness the growth and evolution of agriculture’s role in Canada’s energy business.

September 1, 2009 (Guelph, Ontario)  –  Ontario farmers and the Ontario Association of Food Banks have again joined forces to fight hunger over the coming year.  People in agriculture will be coming together at the second annual Harvest Gala in Guelph to celebrate Ontario’s bounty and raise funds to share that food with those in need.

August 20, 2009 (Guelph, ON) - Almost two years in development, the Ontario Farm Animal Council’s (OFAC) new interactive exhibit, FarmzOnWheelz, hits the road this week. Its first stop is the Canadian National Exhibition (the EX). Beginning August 21st, FarmzOnWheelz will be featured daily during exhibition hours. The $950,000 project is the first of its kind in Canada.

Each year, OSG sponsors one couple or individual from Ontario to take part in the American Soybean Association/Dupont Young Leader Program.  The program’s goal is to help train the next generation of leaders for the North American soybean industry.  2010 Young Leader applications are being accepted by the Ontario Soybean Growers until August 15, 2009. 

Guelph ON, July 13, 2009 – The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA) is strengthening its focus on communications by welcoming a new member to its team. Lilian Schaer will be working part-time with OFVGA to help the organization with communications efforts.

OFA Commentary #2809

Improving cropping conditions with drainage

July 10, 2009 - By Bette Jean Crews, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Drainage needs and systems vary greatly across Ontario. Through the years farmers have developed drainage systems to best serve their farm’s particular needs – those particular needs are different in different areas of Ontario.

July 2, 2009 - Farmers are in the habit of dealing with tangible items –  things they can see and touch. For most of them, a day becomes worthwhile when they have planted a field of beans, helped deliver a healthy calf, filled the bulk tank with milk, or harvested a block of  orchards.

Guelph ON, June 1, 2009 - AGCare will shortly be unveiling a new staffing arrangement - one unique enough to be featured in the Globe and Mail last month. The organization is preparing to welcome its Executive Director back from maternity leave in early June, while at the same time transitioning its interim Executive Director into a new job sharing arrangement.

OFA Commentary #2009

By Bette Jean Crews, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

May 15, 2009 - The Ontario Federation of Agriculture and commodity groups have made many advances in the past two or three years – much of it with the help of farmers across the country demanding a single voice going to governments.

May 1, 2009 - Finding rules and regulations to govern international trade and rules for the labeling of food items put on Canadian grocery shelves continues to be complicated.  The Canadian Federation of Agriculture, through its committee structure, has developed recommendations that speak to the desired changes in food labeling in Canada.

For Immediate Release April 30, 2009- MISSISSAUGA–Dairy Farmers of Ontario is launching a new program that will make it easier for new dairy farmers to get into the dairy industry in Ontario. The program will work in part by loaning quota for up to 18 years to 10 new dairy farmers each year.

Want to see one of Ontario's most progressive rabbitries?  Make plans to come to Ontario Rabbit's Annual Open House and Barn Tour being held on Saturday May 2nd, 2009 in Holstein from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

Guelph ON, April 20, 2009 – An internationally recognized conference recently focused on the fundamentals necessary to remain competitive and profitable in an increasingly challenging swine industry. More than 300 participants attended the ninth annual London Swine Conference, hosted at the London Convention Centre on April 1-2.

Guelph, April 8, 2009 – Wilma Jeffray from Grey Bruce County was elected as Chair of Ontario Pork for a one-year term at the organization’s Board of Directors meeting in Guelph yesterday. This was the first time in the 63-year history of the Board that a woman was voted in as Chair.  Together with Vice Chair, Mary-Ann Hendrikx from Middlesex, they will lead the 2009 Board of Directors. 

Reducing those losses and receiving adequate compensation for the damage has proven difficult.  It seems now, though that the Minister of Natural Resources, Donna Cansfield has stumbled on a unique solution - at least one that works for a high priced neighborhood in the Beach community of Toronto.

OFA Commentary - Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan has unveiled Ontario’s new 100 billion dollar budget to try to stimulate our provincial economy back to health.  Although specific references to agriculture were few, opportunity exists within the new fiscal plans to build a stronger and more sustainable farming sector in Ontario.

March 23, 2009 - DELAWARE – Ideas to keep farming alive by getting young people started in agriculture in Ontario were shared here March 21 when close to 130 new and beginning farmers attended the summit organized by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).

Guelph ON, March 9, 2009 – A return to the fundamental principles of production will be the focus of a swine industry education event next month.

March 13, 2009 - Recent changes to the Ontario legislation that governs animal rights and people responsible for caring for animals, including farm animals, could complicate the lives of farmers.

March 12, 2009 - GUELPH, ONTARIO: A new nation-wide poll being unveiled today shows Canadians have a great deal of trust in their food and the farmers who grow that food. This, along with new strategies for farmers, illustrates how Canada’s agricultural sector can help in uncertain times – feeding Canadians in their local communities as well as feeding the growing world population.

March 5, 2009 - For almost two years, farmers have been awaiting government action on funding initiatives announced but not acted on by the federal government. In fact, between the announcement time and today, some of the money may have vanished.

For Immediate release March 3, 2009

CHATHAM, Ontario - The Seed Corn Growers of Ontario held their Annual Meeting on March 3, 2009 at the Roma Club of Leamington.

MEDIA ADVISORY: ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS,
FARM AND FOOD WRITERS

New research on food, farming and farmers unveiled at farm speakers’ forum

March 2, 2009 - GUELPH, ONTARIO – New information showing how Canadians view farming and how farmers can lead our economic recovery and feed the world will be released at a meeting in Guelph next week. 

February 27, 2008 - Ontario residents, including farmers, were given a breathe of fresh air when the Province of Ontario recently announced the Green Energy Act. Producing green energy is one of many areas where our farmers excel, and we’re anxious to get going.

February 23, 2009 - GUELPH, ON. – The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) is pleased to announce that Dr. John Kelly has been named Vice-President, Erie Innovation and Commercialization, with a mandate to diversify the sand plains area of South Central Ontario Region (SCOR).

Guelph, ON – February 23, 2009 – From turkey kielbossa to a prime rib sausage, Ontario’s Finest Meat Competition winners were announced at a gala awards evening on February 21st, 2009 as part of the Ontario Independent Meat Processors (OIMP) annual conference.  More than 100 premium meat or poultry products were submitted for a chance to be crowned in one of twelve categories, and judging took place in January.   

By Bette Jean Crews, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Ontario Treasurer Dwight Duncan has announced March 26th for his release of the next provincial budget. That’s a few weeks later than we expected, but timed just about right for the meeting I held with OMAFRA Minister Leona Dombrowsky.

Getting effective food labeling legislation for Canadians is becoming a long, complicated and expensive process.

Flexible regional funding pledged by Conservatives during campaign excludes business risk management, says Ontario-Quebec Grain Farmers’ Coalition

By Don McCabe, Vice-President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 
Crafting a budget to meet the needs and wishes of 30 million Canadians has to be an enormous undertaking. Based on the comments reported by the media following the release of the 2009 Federal Budget, Finance Minister Flaherty managed to satisfy about as many as he disappointed.

MILTON, ON – January 19, 2009 – Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. (OAFE) was recently overwhelmed with applications for its Healthy Eating Program that will see $450,000 invested in projects designed to promote Ontario farm-grown products, and include partnerships with non-traditional organizations that share a vested interest in healthy eating.

January 26, 2009 - (GUELPH, ON) – Nine winners have been chosen from entries submitted by more than 300 young artists who competed in the Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC)’s third annual creativity contest.  Children from across Ontario submitted their pictorial interpretations of farm animals, farmers at work and activities such as harvesting crops or milking cows for the chance to win computers, digital cameras and magazine subscriptions.

January 22, 2009 - By Wendy Omvlee, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Executive Committee

 Now that the key elements of the restructured Ontario Federation of Agriculture are in place, we have to focus on making it work effectively for our members.

November 28, 2008 - Ridgetown, Ontario.  A scoping study for a specialty soybean crush facility, for which Ontario Rural Economic Development Program funding was announced today, is also receiving significant funding support from the Ontario Soybean Growers (OSG).  The study is being carried out on behalf of AGRIS Co-operative and Suncor Energy. 

TORONTO –Delegates and directors to this week’s annual general meeting of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) completed some special tasks – finalizing the election of OFA’s restructured board and replacing a retiring president.

Over the next three years, O’Rourke will be tasked with providing specialized training to livestock transporters in Ontario through both the Truckers’ Quality Assurance (TQA) training program for hogs and the Certified Livestock Transportation (CLT) program for all species of livestock. O’Rourke will also take a lead role in creating and offering other learning opportunities for improving livestock handling related to transportation with farmers, processing plant and sales barn staff, and emergency personnel.

Ontario’s farmers are paying close attention to a Canadian Cancer Society conference focusing on pesticide use and cancer being held November 12 - 13 in Toronto.

 On October 30, at the inaugural Harvest Gala in Guelph over 250 Ontario farmers and industry supporters came together and further committed to assisting Ontario’s 120 food banks that feed 320,000 people each month for the remainder of this year and beyond.

Guelph, Ontario –  Farmers from across Ontario came together today to unveil the fourth annual Faces of Farming Calendar. The calendar celebrates the hard work, dedication and values of Ontario’s farming community.

The unveiling, held in conjunction with the Ontario Harvest Gala, introduced the public to 19 farmers who were chosen to represent each month.

October 21 2008 (Guelph, ON) - A newly launched website is designed to help media write about food and agriculture in Ontario. Farmingsources.com provides contact information for agricultural spokespeople and is searchable by issue or by organization.

MISSISSAUGA, October 17, 2008 –Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s long record of good governance will be even stronger in the future as the organization follows up on the results of an independent governance review conducted by Deloitte, one of the world’s largest consulting firms.

GUELPH, ON –Despite news last month that the Ontario government has reconsidered its decision to raise ethanol content in gasoline to 10 per cent by 2010, Ontario Corn Producers Association (OCPA) remains committed to working with the Provincial government to set and achieve higher targets as the industry continues to evolve.