OFA AGM ends day with Green Party leader

Nov 20, 2017

Schreiner calls for moratorium on closing rural schools

By Kaitlynn Anderson

Staff Reporter

Better Farming and Farms.com

Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner called for a moratorium on the closing of rural schools as Monday’s proceedings wound up at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s Annual General Meeting today.

Schreiner, who grew up on a 2,000-acre beef farm, also stated the party’s goal of bringing clean, renewable natural gas to farms across the province.

The Guelph resident gave his take on hydro costs to a packed house at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre in Toronto.

“The biggest reason for rising electrical prices is the amount of money being spent rebuilding nuclear power facilities.”

Earlier in the afternoon, delegates heard from the University of Kentucky’s David Freshwater, who made a number of points about rural development in Ontario.

“You need more going on in rural areas than just agriculture,” said Freshwater.

And, agricultural policy can help achieve that.

“Instead of just being about commodities, (we need to focus on) communities.”

Schreiner’s and Freshwater’s addresses fit with the “Producing Prosperity” theme of this year’s AGM.

The event concludes tomorrow with appearances by the Honourable Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Patrick Brown, leader of the Ontario P.C. party and Andrea Horwath, leader of the Ontario NDP party.

The OFA will hold its AGM in Hamilton for 2018 and 2019.

Video: Home Grown Ontario Tulips

Ontario’s flower sector is blooming ??

With more than $1 billion in farmgate sales and over $650 million in annual exports—much of it centred in the Niagara region—Ontario growers are a major force in Canada’s floriculture industry. In fact, the province produces roughly 50% of all flowers grown in the country, serving a market of over 100 million consumers within a one-day drive.

It’s a powerful example of how strategic location, cross-border access, and strong production capacity come together to support both local agriculture and global markets ??

?? Watch as Andrew Morse, Executive Director of Flowers Canada, shares insights and the full story behind Ontario’s tulip industry and its thriving flower sector.