Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) members continue to put a high value on advocacy and representation, while identifying taxation, red tape and trade uncertainty among the issues they most want their farm organization focused on.
Those are among the key findings of OFA’s 2026 General Membership Survey, which was completed earlier this year.
Overall satisfaction with OFA remains strong, with 81 per cent of respondents reporting high or very high satisfaction. Members gave positive ratings to OFA’s communications, advocacy and lobbying efforts, leadership and collaboration within agriculture, public awareness initiatives such as Home Grown, and participation at farm and trade shows.
“Advocacy is at the heart of what we do at OFA, so it’s encouraging to see that our members continue to value having a strong voice representing Ontario agriculture,” says OFA Vice President Sara Wood. “Just as importantly, the survey gives us clear direction on where members want us to focus and how we can demonstrate the value of their membership.”
Advocacy on agriculture and rural issues remains the top reason respondents say they choose OFA as their general farm organization, followed by confidence that OFA speaks for Ontario farmers. Tools, resources and information are also an important part of the value members see in their membership.
The survey also reconfirmed the top issues on the minds of farmers. Taxation topped the list, rated very important by 70 per cent of respondents and important by more than 90 per cent. Red tape and regulation, tariffs and trade uncertainty, energy costs and access, and rural infrastructure were also identified as leading priorities.
“We hear regularly from farmers about the pressures they are facing, whether that’s rising costs, regulatory burden, uncertainty in international markets or the infrastructure their farms and rural communities depend on,” says Wood. “These survey results reinforce the importance of continuing to bring those issues forward with governments and decision-makers at all levels.”
Members also value the practical benefits of their membership, such as the OFA benefit program. Just under 50 per cent of respondents used a member benefit in the past year, compared to 34 per cent in 2025.
Other opportunities identified through member feedback include stronger local and on-farm engagement and more support for small, emerging and first-generation farmers.
OFA will be at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock next week and encourages members and non-members alike to drop by Federation House to talk about issues affecting their farm businesses, what is happening in their communities and learn about what OFA does on behalf of Ontario agriculture.
Source : OFA