OFA: Visit OFA at fall farm events (2016)

By Louis Roesch, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

It’s September already and that brings back to school routines, hopes for a good harvest and plans for fall farm shows and events.

There are two significant events for Ontario agriculture in September – Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) and the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM). The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) will be participating in both of these events this year.

This year’s 23rd COFS – September 13-15 – will attract more than 40,000 farmers and visitors to Woodstock, ON to check out the latest innovations, farm equipment and technology. This is OFA’s opportunity to speak directly to our members.

At COFS we’ll continue celebrating our 80th anniversary with members. Visitors to Federation House can visit with select benefit partners, enter special give away draws and talk to directors and staff about the ongoing issues OFA advocates for every day. New this year is an OFA photo opportunity for members to commemorate our organization’s anniversary. Be sure to bring your OFA membership card to receive a framed photo.

Our celebrations also include an anniversary cake cutting on opening day and hosting a corn roast social. OFA invites all members attending this year’s COFS to stop by Federation House to celebrate our 80th anniversary.

The IPM and Rural Expo in Minto, September 20-24, showcases agriculture to a family and consumer audience. OFA will be at the show talking about our Six by Sixteen food literacy program, encouraging young adults to learn how to source and prepare six nutritious meals by the age of 16.

There are plenty of other events across the province this fall showcasing agriculture. Fall fairs and festivals are a great opportunity for farmers to connect with families and consumers. They also support the next generation of agriculture through 4-H competitions.

Fall is a busy time on the farm, but it’s a great chance to catch up, network and take pride of agriculture in Ontario.

Source: OFA