By Brianna Miller, Director, Waterloo Federation of Agriculture and Dean Orr, Vice President, York Federation of Agriculture
February 10 is Canada’s Agriculture Day — a chance to celebrate the farmers who grow the food, fuel, fibre and flowers Canadians rely on every single day.
The two of us are young farmers in Ontario: a goat producer who is also a director with the Waterloo Federation of Agriculture, and a chicken and grain farmer who is the Vice President of the York Federation of Agriculture.
As young farmers, we’re often described as “the future of farming.” While that’s true, that’s not the whole story.
We’re not just preparing for what comes next — we’re already here. We’re working on farms, caring for livestock, growing crops, running businesses, raising families and stepping into leadership roles in our communities and farm organizations.
From nearly 50,000 farms across the province, Ontario farmers grow and raise more than 200 different food and farm products, from fruits, vegetables, honey and flowers to meat, dairy, eggs, fish and grains — fresh, frozen, processed, pickled or canned.
Agriculture isn’t just about food on the table. Ontario’s agri-food sector employs 10 per cent of the province’s workforce and contributes more than $51 billion to the provincial economy every year. That economic impact supports rural communities, local businesses and families across Ontario.
That’s why Canada’s Agriculture Day is also a moment to reflect on what agriculture looks like today, and where it’s headed next.
Farming is a profession where hard work produces something real. Every day brings tangible results, whether that’s healthy animals, growing crops or decisions that shape the future of a farm business. It’s challenging, demanding and deeply rewarding work that keeps you focused on what truly matters.
Working so closely with the land is humbling. No other job offers the same appreciation for the bigger picture. You’re constantly reminded that agriculture depends on forces bigger than any one person — weather, soil, seasons and ecosystems — and that connection is quite literally grounding.
We are incredibly lucky to be home to some of the world’s best farmland right here in Ontario. The richness of the soil, the diversity of the landscapes and the abundance of clean, fresh water are the foundation of our food production system and it’s important that we take steps necessary to protect it, both for ourselves and for future generations.
Farmland is a finite and irreplaceable resource; once it’s lost, it’s lost forever. That’s why we feel strongly that preserving farmland for agricultural uses needs to be a priority at the local, provincial and federal levels — and this needs all of us, urban and rural voices, working together.
Buying local is a way all of us can make a difference in our food system. Supporting Ontario farmers strengthens entire communities, keeps food dollars circulating close to home and helps us protect and expand our ability to grow and raise as much of our own food as we can – especially in times of a changing climate and shifting global political structures.
When we look into the future as young farmers, what excites most of us about our sector is the opportunity it provides. This is an industry built on tradition, but driven by progress.
Innovation is happening every day — in production practices, sustainability, technology and business models. Change is constant and no two days are ever the same. There are always problems to solve, improvements to be made and new opportunities to build on the strengths of our food and farming system, and it’s that shared passion for this industry and this way of life that drives us.
Canada’s Agriculture Day is about celebration, but it’s also about recognition. The future of farming isn’t a distant idea — it’s happening now, led by farmers who care deeply about their land, their animals, their communities and the food Canadians depend on every day.
Source : OFA