By Peggy Brekveld, Vice President Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Ontario farmers have taken the Premier’s Agri-Food Growth Challenge to heart. We’re embracing the drive to double our sector’s annual growth rate and create 120,000 jobs by 2020. Farmers and Ontario Federation of Agriculture members are working hard every day to grow our farm businesses, create new market opportunities and identify areas that impede or restrict our growth as an industry.
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Part of OFA’s role is to identify opportunities and restrictions that exist in our industry. Too often, barriers are overlooked. Barriers such as red tape, uninformed decisions and funding cuts prevent Ontario farms from seizing growth opportunities. That’s why OFA regularly consults with our grassroots member representatives through our resolution process and our Policy Advisory Council to identify and discuss these issues.
Sometimes barriers to growth are driven by municipalities, and this is one of the main topics at OFA’s recent PAC meeting. This issue was first brought to OFA through a resolution at our annual general meeting and discussed further at a recent PAC meeting for further grassroots member input. Several barriers were identified by the 104-member PAC that impede agricultural growth in Ontario’s municipalities. Three of these areas identified were planning, economic development and community engagement. The number one challenge identified by OFA members is the lack of understanding of farm practices and the realities of living near farming neighbours. There is a role for farmers and municipalities to make a difference on this issue. We, as farmers have a role to advocate and share the good news story of what modern farming is today. Municipal leaders have a responsibility to learn and understand what the agricultural industry is all about – an industry that drives our rural economy and feeds our province. OFA will be developing a recommended “best practices” checklist for municipalities to encourage local agricultural support.
Many policies impacting the agri-food sector are established by provincial and federal governments. But there are still plenty of decisions being made at municipal levels that can support agriculture. Land use policies, taxation and development charges, financial support and community engagement are all opportunities for municipalities to support agricultural economic development in their communities.
Farmers may be a minority in Ontario’s rural communities, but our impact is big and agriculture is poised for growth. Municipalities are essential for agricultural economic development. We need municipalities to lend their support to Ontario agriculture and agri-food businesses, so we can all grow, prosper and meet the Premier’s challenge.
