ONTARIO – Ontario food and farming is a very diverse sector.
We grow, raise and produce more than 200 different farm and food commodities and products right here at home – yet many Ontarians don’t really have a good understanding of how our food gets to the grocery store.
As farmers, I believe we must take a more active role in telling that story and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to put my name forward to be the new provincial board director with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).
GREG DIETRICH (right)
Let me explain.
I farm together with my brother-in-law, near the small town of Mildmay about an hour southwest of Owen Sound, where we milk cows and raise livestock.
Livestock genetics have always been a passion of mine and after graduating from University of Guelph I worked with Semex and Holstein Canada in positions that took me not just across Canada but around the world visiting dairy farms and working with farmers.
I also co-founded a pioneering dairy genetics company focused on improving dairy herd performance and sustainability, before deciding to come back home to the family business and start farming full-time.
I’ve always believed in being involved in the industry and volunteering my time to work to make things better.
Growing up, I was involved in 4-H and the Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario and watched my parents take on various leadership roles in the agriculture sector.
So, when the OFA director representing farmers in my area of Grey and Bruce counties stepped down from the board earlier this year after becoming elected as a Member of Provincial Parliament, I saw this as a unique opportunity to become involved in the industry in a whole new way.
I’ve just graduated from the most recent class of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP), which exposed me to many of the other agriculture sectors in Ontario, as well as North American and international issues, setting me up well for serving on the OFA board.
The OFA represents farmers of all kinds and the decisions we make and the actions we take as a board are on behalf of all of our members right across Ontario.
It’s an interesting time to be in the agriculture sector, not just because of the technology and innovation that is helping us produce more while using fewer resources than we have in the past, but also because of the global trade and international market environment.
And this takes me back to why it’s important for us to know about where our food comes from.
There’s no doubt it’s an uneasy and unpredictable time which makes food sovereignty – the right to define and control our own food and agriculture systems – very important.
Canada is recognized around the world for producing high quality, high standard food and we want to make sure we don’t lose that capacity to feed not just ourselves but also people in other countries.
Today, less than two per cent of Canada’s population is involved in agriculture, so unlike only a few generations ago, that means most of us are distanced from farming and no longer have that general understanding of how crops are grown, how livestock is raised or even knowing which fruits and vegetables are in season here at what time.
After all, most produce is available in the grocery store year round!
This applies to policymakers and regulators too. To make solid decisions that will support Canada’s role as a global agricultural leader, they must have an understanding of the day-to-day challenges of food production, the issues that matter to farmers and what the sector – one of the biggest pillars of the Ontario economy – needs to thrive.
One of my first opportunities in this new role was attending the recent politicians meeting that local members of the Bruce and Grey federations of agriculture organize and host every year.
It’s a great way to bring strong, experienced farm voices to the table to share first-hand experiences, challenges and opportunities with elected officials from all levels.
This year, participants included municipal and county politicians and staff, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff, Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb and Huron-Bruce MPP and Minister of Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson.
As an OFA director, I’m looking forward to being a voice for the farmers I represent in my area, helping to broaden understanding of Ontario food and farming, and making a positive contribution to our agriculture sector.
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Greg Dietrich is an Ontario Federation of Agriculture director.