OFA: Now’s The Tme To Renew Your OFA Membership

By Debra Pretty-Straathof, Board Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
 

It’s Farm Business Registration (FBR) season for Ontario farmers. All farm businesses in Ontario that gross $7,000 or more a year are required by law to register their farm business. As part of FBR registration, Ontario farmers select one of three Ontario general farm organizations to support.
 

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is Ontario’s largest general farm organization, representing approximately 80% of Ontario farmers, or 37,000 farm members. The OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation and media relations.
 

Membership in OFA brings significant benefits. As an OFA member you’re adding your voice to the largest farm organization in Ontario. Membership helps the OFA continue to address the issues affecting farm families in Ontario. The OFA is working to create a thriving agriculture sector locally, provincially and nationally, in our work for profitable and sustainable farms.
 

The OFA offers local representation and membership includes voting rights for OFA leadership. Our members have access to a team of 21 skilled Member Service Representatives across Ontario who assist members with issues affecting their farms. And the OFA has an exclusive Benefit Program, offering special discounts and promotions exclusive to OFA members.
 

Over the past year the OFA has been focusing on a number of key issues, addressing these in various ways with government representatives and policy makers. Our top priorities include farmland preservation, affordable natural gas across rural Ontario, addressing the impact of climate change on farms, the development of an Invasive Species Act, and continuing with the Open for Business forum to address regulatory red tape across ministries.
 

It’s easy to become an OFA member. Simply follow the two-step process of selecting OFA on your FBR form and submit the FBR fee to the organization, then sign the 2015 OFA membership agreement. Ontario farmers should have received their FBR form by mail, if not contact Agricorp to request a form. OFA membership forms are available online at www.ofa.on.ca/driveforward and will be inserted in the March issue of Better Farming. Forms can be completed online, or returned by fax or mail to OFA.
 

The two-step process for becoming an OFA member continues for 2015. And starting in 2016 the OFA will be simplifying the membership process by returning to a one-step process.

We want to represent you. Membership in OFA means your voice as an Ontario farmer is heard and your concerns will be addressed with your local municipality, at the provincial board level or taken to the halls of Queen’s Park. OFA is in the business of supporting Ontario’s farmers and we appreciate your support as members.