Former CFFO general manager calls it quits Tuesday, July 3, 2012 by SUSAN MANNJohn Clement, former general manager of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, has left the organization.Nathan Stevens, interim manager and director of policy development, says the relationship between Clement and the organization was officially severed as of March 30.For his part, Clement says, “certain decisions were made, we parted amicably and I have nothing further to say.”Clement had been with the organization for almost 18 years. He began as secretary to the board of directors and was general manager since 2001.Earlier this year CFFO announced it was restructuring its staff and Clement was named manager of communications and research. Stevens says Clement “basically chose that was not going to work out for him and he sought out a severance.”Both men say there was no connection between Clement’s departure from CFFO and the organization’s failure to obtain reaccreditation as a general farm organization under the Farm Registration and Farm Organizations Funding Act. In May, the Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal denied accreditation to the CFFO, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the National Farmers Union, Ontario Branch. CFFO and the other organizations are scheduled for new accreditation hearings later this month.The decision to sever the relationship between Clement and CFFO preceded the Tribunal’s decision by seven to eight weeks, Stevens says.Stevens has taken on the research portion of Clement’s former job. Franchesca Weeks is the communications manager.CFFO has gone from a six-person staff to a five-person staff for the time being. It’s evaluating how that works and will see what its needs are at the beginning of September, Stevens says.Membership in the organization has been gradually declining, having dropped to 4,054 in 2011 from 4,266 in 2009. At May 25, when CFFO’s accreditation was lost, membership stood at 3,793. But more memberships will come in once the accreditation matter is dealt with, Stevens says. BF Kitchener dairy farm among finalists for sustainability prize Seed of the year finalists announced
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online