In a world of growing demand for food products, some countries are ramping up production for increasingly sophisticated markets.
There are now markets for those choosing low-priced foods, markets for those the affluent, and markets for those who have ethical concerns about the food they purchase. Are the days of “I just want to grow corn and not be bothered by all this stuff” gone forever?
With a move towards increasingly specialized markets, the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario thinks that might indeed be the case. In fact, we are considering crafting a strategy that helps Ontario farmers capture more value from the marketplace. Accordingly, it is the theme of this year’s annual CFFO seminar series, Consumer Trends, Farmer Choices, held in locations across the province.
Rob Hannam, of Synthesis Agri-Food Consulting, will provide attendees with a wide-ranging overview of consumer trends, plus global and local markets. Hannam’s career began with First Line Seeds, where he played an integral role in moving First Line to a top market share position in Canada. Stevens, a recent graduate of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program, will challenge attendees to consider if strict commodity production should still be the cornerstone for creating success in Ontario.
The CFFO seminar series is open to everyone. Log on to the www.christianfarmers.org for details on how to register and where individual seminars are being held.
John Clement is the General Manager of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario.
