TORONTO, ON – Through Chicken Farmers of Ontario’s (CFO) Women in Leadership program, CFO celebrated and showcased women in the chicken farming industry during a CFO hosted breakfast event at Queen’s Park.
Premier Doug Ford, Minister Ernie Hardeman, Cabinet Ministers and MPPs from all parties attended the event and reaffirmed their support for Ontario’s chicken industry and for advancing women in agriculture. A total of 25 elected officials joined many farmer-members of CFO’s Women in Leadership initiative, including: Gina Benjamins, Carolyn Cornelissen, Catriona Decaire, Melissa Devries, Andrea Donkers, Jennifer Huberts, Donna Jebb, Inge Koskamp, Krista Lansink, Wendy Lantz, Janet O'Rourke, Jeanette Poole, Andrea Veldhuizen, and Laurie Weber.
In recognition of International Women’s Week, CFO was proud to be able to educate and inform provincial elected officials that many women in the chicken industry are on-farm leaders, owners, and actively engaged members of the agriculture community.
The event was also an opportunity to share important insights into the interests and concerns of chicken farmers, including trespassing, chicken farmers commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare, and the economic impact of the chicken industry which contributes $3.8 Billion and supports over 22,000 jobs in Ontario.
CFO participants also attended question period, where they were recognized in the Ontario Legislature for their proactive and meaningful engagement with MPPs.
“With International Women’s Day around the corner, it was great to visit Queen’s Park to meet with MPPs and demonstrate how there are many women farmers and farm owners in Ontario’s chicken industry,” said Krista Lansink, CFO farmer-member and District Committee Representative, District 1. “I appreciated the opportunity to share perspectives and information about issues and opportunities facing chicken farmers.”
Source : CFO