As Ontario’s largest general farm organization, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) represents more than 37,000 farmers across Ontario.
The OFA takes a great deal of pride in being recognized, among government, media and the agricultural community as “the voice of Ontario farmers.”
But with that recognition comes significant responsibility. Ontario is a geographically diverse province, with more than 200 agricultural commodities.
Many of Ontario’s farmers face a variety of challenges and concerns that aren’t always shared by the majority of OFA’s membership base, but they are no less important when they affect the opportunity for profitable and sustainable farms. And OFA depends on our Policy Advisory Council (PAC) members to bring those issues forward, addressing them as an organization or at a policy level.
OFA relies heavily on feedback and guidance from the PAC, whose members are elected to represent their county or commodity, and tasked with bringing policy concerns to OFA’s board of directors. And to ensure accountability, the OFA board of directors must report back to PAC on issues.
The PAC was formed five years ago when OFA restructured its board of directors. Members meet four times per year, and the board relies on the PAC to bring forward issues from the grassroots, county level. PAC members frequently engage with task teams to provide responses to recommendations that help shape government policy, and its assistance continues to evolve.
In the most recent PAC meeting held last month the council reviewed drafts of OFA’s strategic and operational plans, and members were invited to provide input before the plans are finalized by the board. PAC members also provided critical input on policy issues OFA is asked to comment on, such as the recently-announced review of the Farm Business Registration process.
Part of a secondary goal with the PAC is to develop awareness and leadership skills among PAC members. Participating in the PAC is an ideal choice for young and beginning farmers, or others who may want to pursue leadership roles within the organization in the future.
The OFA does its best to represent the needs of Ontario farmers at a policy level. We are grateful for the dedication and commitment PAC members have shown in helping us meet this goal. For more information about the PAC visit ofa.on.ca.
Debra Pretty-Straathof is vice-president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
