Henry Van Ankum, past chair of the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), and communications coordinator Erin Calhoun gave a presentation on the organization at the March meeting of the Alma Women’s Institute.
Van Ankum chaired the GFO for three years. He is a cash cropper and raises pigs with his wife, Susan, and their children on a farm near Parker.
“I decided if I am going to farm, then I have to take an active role in making agriculture a better business for all farmers,” Van Ankum stated.
“As I am a cashcropper, I chose to become involved with the Ontario Wheat Board, which eventually became part of the GFO.”
The GFO is comprised of 28,000 Ontario farmers that grow corn, soybeans and wheat on five million acres. Yields from this acreage include:
– corn, 5.5 million tonnes;
– soybeans, 2.3 million tonnes; and
– wheat, 1.5 million tonnes.
In addition to traditional livestock feeds, many everyday products are made from these three grains. Some examples are crayons, flour, car parts, tofu and medicines.
In January 2010 the GFO was formed with the amalgamation of the Corn Producers Association, Ontario Soybean Growers and Ontario Wheat Marketing Board. The initial process began in 2006 to make one organization that worked effectively and efficiently for farmers. Van Ankum was a member of the transition team.
The GFO employs 35 people in Guelph offices and has one employee in Ottawa area that works with federal issues.
The GFO’s mission is to create an innovative and successful environment that will allow farmer members the opportunity for profitable growth. Their vision is to drive the Ontario grain industry to become a global leader.
The organization is made up of 15 districts with 150 delegates in Ontario. Van Ankum is the director of District 10, Wellington, Grey and Bruce. Districts are based on acreage and yield information of the three crops. Van Ankum chaired the organization for a three-year term, stepping down in February 2014.
“I am very appreciative of my wife, Susan, my children and dad for filling in for me when I was travelling with the GFO. I couldn’t have done it without their continued support,” Van Ankum said.
A mandatory fee of $1.65 per acre for any corn, wheat, and soybeans sold to a licensed facility is collected by the GFO, which strives to improve agriculture, invest in research, solve existing problems in the field and find new markets and uses for grain. The group is committed to each farm member, people, results, innovation, honesty and integrity, says Van Ankum. Key areas of focus are:
– research and innovation;
– market development;
– wheat marketing;
– advocacy; and
– communication and public relations.
“Our new promotional material is titled, ‘Good In Every Grain,’ which replaces the ‘Farmers Feeds Cities’ logo. The GFO has a 53-foot trailer that it uses to educate the public on the importance of agriculture,” Van Ankum stated.
In early 2012, protecting pollinators became an important issue involving the GFO. High numbers of bee deaths are thought to be caused by the use of insecticide coating on seeds being planted by air seed planters using an air vacuum.
In 2014 the federal government mandated changes to equipment that placed seed straight into the ground, reducing the potential exposure to bees.
