OFA meets members during fall farm show season

By Brent Royce, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

September in Ontario kicks off another kind of harvest – the season that combines social and business at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) and the International Plowing Match (IPM) & Rural Expo. The two shows promise to make for a busy few weeks for Ontario farmers, the ag industry, show organizers and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).

OFA has a long history of member connection and outreach. Our organization was founded to represent our farming members and that’s why our elected directors and staff can be found at just about every farm show and agricultural event throughout the year across the province. Just like our fellow farmers, OFA representatives attend COFS and IPM events where we meet with OFA members to discuss issues, concerns and opportunities – including the challenges of operating a sustainable farm business in today’s economy and regulatory requirements, legislative activities and regional federation concerns.

Grassroots connections are a cornerstone of OFA and farm shows are one of our key opportunities to check in with members. OFA members and COFS visitors can find OFA at Federation House, September 12-14. OFA staff and directors will be on hand with some of our OFA benefit partners, and look forward to catching up with show attendees.

This year’s IPM is in Walton, ON and marks the 100th plowing match in Ontario. The event’s tagline – Celebrate Farm, Family and Fun – aligns perfectly with OFA’s commitment to serve our farm members. OFA is partnering with the Huron Federation of Agriculture at the event, so be sure to stop by the OFA display at this event September 19-23.

Fall also marks the return of the provincial legislature, and OFA is busy with ongoing advocacy campaigns for public investment in Ontario agriculture and our rural communities, and kicking off our 2018 provincial election platforms. We look forward to checking in on all these matters and more with our members at the shows this fall, and events throughout the season. See you in the field.

Source: OFA