By Charlotte Huitema, HFA Secretary
To The Haldimand Press
The Haldimand Federation of Agriculture (HFA) sent four directors to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) Annual Meeting. Ontario’s farmers hosted the OFA’s annual general meeting in London on November 21 and 22, gathering in-person for the first time in three years to debate resolutions, listen to engaging speakers, and participate in educational workshops. Over 450 people attended!
Keynote speaker Jeff Adams, Paralympian and six-time world champion wheelchair racer, drew on his own life experiences to share themes also common in the farming community: resilience, perseverance, and striving for excellence. He encouraged farmers to look around themselves for support from family, friends, and community when they need it, and to offer that support too.
The Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Hon. Lisa Thompson brought greetings and addressed everyone. She highlighted recent government investments into the sector and efforts currently underway to update various pieces of legislation impacting agriculture, including modernization of the Veterinarians Act, and consultations around the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario.
Other speakers at the event included MPP and Agriculture Critic John Vanthof, Dean of the Centre for Research and Innovation at Fanshawe College Alison Ewart, Scotiabank Chief Economist Jean-Francois Perrault, Scotiabank National Head of Agriculture Janice Holzscherer, Hydro One Vice President of Stakeholder Relations Daniel Levitan, and Canadian Federation of Agriculture President Mary Robinson.
A silent auction at the event raised more than $10,000 in support of next year’s bursary program. The items are donated by every agriculture federation across the province!
Thank you OFA staff for pulling off another amazing annual general meeting!
What is the OFA?
The OFA is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 38,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA represents and champions the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations, and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario’s farmers and is Ontario’s voice of the farmer
