By Sara Wood, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Every industry depends on its next generation of leaders. Agriculture is no different — in fact, it may be even more important for the farming sector than most others. With fewer farmers, consumers who are asking more questions about food production, and governments making decisions that shape how we grow crops and raise livestock, strong leadership is essential to ensure the voices of farmers are heard.
That’s why investing in young farmers isn’t just about their individual growth — it’s about the future of Ontario’s entire agri-food system. I’m a Vice President with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), and our organization is committed to giving young people opportunities to learn, connect, and lead, so they’re ready to take on that responsibility.
At this year’s Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, for example, OFA hosted a special networking event for young farmers. It gave participants the chance to meet people they wouldn’t otherwise know, share experiences, and build the kind of community that makes leadership possible. One of the key messages was simple but powerful: leadership starts with saying yes.
When you’re balancing work, family, and farm responsibilities, stepping into new opportunities can feel overwhelming. But with the right support system — from family, neighbours, and friends — those doors become easier to walk through. Too often, people hold back because they don’t feel they have the help they need at home, and in doing so, they miss out on valuable growth. Creating networks and building community is how we change that.
This is why OFA’s partnerships with organizations like the Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario (JFAO) are so important. Current JFAO president Jordyn Domio joined OFA at an advocacy day at Queens Park several years ago, which she says was a valuable opportunity to see how meeting and engaging with government leaders helps drive policy changes needed to better support our farming communities.
Jordyn emphasizes that young farmers need experiences that build advocacy skills, connect them with industry leaders, and give them a platform to share their perspectives – and partnerships like the one between OFA and JFAO are essential to giving the next generation of leaders a chance to build their skills.
Over the past year, OFA has made other investments in developing young farmer leadership too:
- Growing Ag events, hosted by OFA’s Proud 2 Lead committee with support from FCC, bring young farmers together across Ontario to network and learn about advocacy and leadership.
- Young farmer lunch with a guest speaker at the Ottawa Valley Farm Show that drew in more than 80 participants.
- Supporting three young farmers — Tate Driscoll, Clairina Paquette, and Page Handsor — in attending Farm Management Canada’s national conference, thanks to a generous ticket donation from Senator Rob Black.
- Including four young Ontario farmers in OFA’s delegation to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s annual meeting in Ottawa to experience national advocacy and networking with federal leaders and farmers from across the country.
Additionally, every year OFA supports five people in agricultural undergraduate, postgraduate and apprenticeship programs with bursaries of $2,000, with one award specifically geared towards leadership development opportunities. We also support 4-H by speaking at their conferences.
OFA is a founding sponsor of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP), investing in developing leaders who will find themselves in a variety of leadership roles from business and community to all levels of government. Since AALP’s inception 40 years ago, OFA has contributed $800,000 to the program.
And finally, we support 4-H’s annual conferences for youth aged 14 to 21 and have partnered with the organization to create a club focused on the OFA Six by Sixteen initiative – helping young people plan and prepare six nutritious, locally sourced meals by the time they are 16 years old.
Every one of these opportunities is about opening doors and helping young farmers see the bigger picture, build connections, and discover their own capacity to lead.
Leadership might start with a simple yes, but the impact lasts far longer. Saying yes can lead to new knowledge, mentors, and friendships that make a difference for years to come. For young farmers, it’s also about knowing they’re not alone — that their industry stands behind them and wants them to succeed.
At OFA, we’re proud to play that role. Ontario’s agri-food sector depends on the next generation of farmers, and we are committed to making sure they’re equipped to lead with confidence, vision, and a strong voice.
Source : OFA