The National Farmers Union Ontario's Board of Directors took advantage of a recent meeting with Ontario's Agriculture Minister to raise a number of issues.
Board members emphasized to the minister the necessity for farming to be a viable career option for young people, pointing out rising land prices and high farming expenses are barriers to young people.
The minister, Jeff Leal, was also questioned about what the NFU-Ontario considers to be inadequate funding for the recent Farmland Health Incentive Program.
The allocated funds for that program ran out within 24 hours of the program's opening.
Leal was encouraged to match government funding with the sale of the climate change problems being addressed by that program.
The NFU-Ontario board members also told the minister the government needs to ensure that rural communities have the health and social services needed to attract people.
NFU-O President Emery Huszka says board members plan to meet with Agriculture Minister Jeff Leal soon to follow up on those priorities.
