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Canadian farmers celebrate their role in providing consumers with a safe and affordable food supply
February 9, 2010
On February 12, 2010, the average Canadian will have enough income to pay his or her individual grocery bill for the entire year.
“Farmers are very proud of their role in providing high quality food produced at the highest food safety and environmental standards,” said Laurent Pellerin, CFA President.
Food Freedom Day is occurring on the same day as it did in 2009, which is slightly later than in previous years, due to the effects of the recession on disposable income and an increase in the price of food. The calculation is a simple comparison of Canadian’s disposable income and the amount they spend on food.
For Food Freedom Day 2010, the CFA looked back at food prices over the past 30 years at both the farm gate and retail levels. This research highlighted the hard work farmers do in ensuring Canadian’s receive great value for their food dollar.
“While the prices Canadian consumers pay for food has been steadily increasing over the past 30 years, the amount that returns to the farm gate is relatively small,” said Pellerin.
The Farmers’ Share, a recent study commissioned by prairie members of the CFA, showed that, on average, only 27 per cent of the cost of an entire week’s worth of groceries for a family of four goes back to the farms where the food is produced.
To ensure that consumers are able to identify Canadian food products and support our agriculture sector, the CFA will continue to advocate for effective ingredient-based ‘Product of Canada’ guidelines that are both informative to the consumer and practical to the agri-food sector.
Lennox & Addington Federation of Agriculture
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 @ 8:00pm, Selby Sales Barn
AGENDA
Continue reading Monthly Board Meeting
News Release
October 26, 2009 For Immediate Release
GUELPH – The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has received $126,000 in funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Program, which is delivered in Ontario by the Agricultural Adaptation Council. The funding will be used to undertake a feasibility study into how a carbon trading system could become a viable business option for Ontario farmers.
“Farmers are always looking for new ways to increase the profitability of their operations,” says Bette Jean Crews, OFA President. “Trading carbon credits could allow them to do that while at the same time contributing to improving the environment for all Ontarians.”
Continue reading OFA awarded grant for carbon aggregator study
The past year has witnessed profound change at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture both structurally and in terms of our policy focus and initiatives.
Following a three -year period of reflection and consultation with members the OFA embarked on a significant change in corporate governance at its Annual General Meeting last November. The AGM marked the initiation of the new governance model, finalizing the move to a Board of Directors of 18 members with a Policy Advisory Council (PAC) of 104.
Continue reading A report by OFA President, Bette Jean Crews — Summary of Events and Activities 2009
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.
This will mark the first year for the show to host the Canadian Energy Expo, a new feature intended to provide participants with the opportunity to build on the show’s philosophy of research, development and demonstration. September 16th will highlight this Expo in the program. On all three days of the show, visitors will have access to the displays of 50 exhibitors illustrating a range of technologies to harness agriculture’s opportunities with green energy.
Continue reading OFA in the modern energy era By Wendy Omvlee, Executive Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
After years of debate and discussions with the provincial government about a definition of a farm and agriculture, we may have moved a bit closer to resolution of the issue recently.
Following a hearing of the Ontario Labour Relations Board in June, the board issued its finding on July 30. While we can’t claim to have won the war, we believe the Board ruling is an indication we have won a battle on the issue of defining a farm and agricultural labour activity.
Continue reading Working on an acceptable definition By Mark Wales, Vice-President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
News Release
June 18, 2009 For Immediate Release
GUELPH – Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) members across Ontario will experience even more benefits thanks to a joint initiative by TSC Stores and the OFA – benefits valued in excess of the cost of the annual OFA membership fee, the federation announced today.
It begins with OFA ‘Member Days’ at TSC’s 40 locations in Ontario, June 19 to July 2. By showing their 2009 OFA Member Card, farmers will receive a 15 per cent discount on most regular-priced merchandise. To help prepare farmers for this event, TSC Stores mailed a special mini catalogue promoting the savings to OFA’s 37,000 members. The catalogue also offered special savings exclusive to OFA members.
Continue reading TSC, OFA join forces to benefit farmers
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture and most of the province’s commodity organizations spent a day together recently reviewing the issues that are critical for today’s farmers – we know the government expects farmers and their organizations to come with a single, clear message.
We’ve agreed on our message and we will continue to work together to convince the government of what it takes for agriculture to be successful and drive our economy forward.
Continue reading Planning government lobbying strategy By Bette Jean Crews, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Disposing of farm animals when they die has always been a problem for farmers. A decade ago, there were deadstock removal services located throughout the province, and in most cases they paid the farmer for the carcass of larger animals because the carcass had value.
In recent years, especially since BSE, disposing of dead farm animals has been much more complicated – mostly because of specified risk material (SRM) associated with BSE. It is thought that BSE was being spread when SRM from infected animals was incorporated into the feed materials provided to livestock.
Continue reading Deadstock disposal alternatives By Mark Wales, Vice-President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
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