Ontario fruit and vegetable growers want buyer licensing system Wednesday, January 11, 2012 by SUSAN MANNThe Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association wants the Canadian government to ensure they get paid for their products by introducing a licensing system for produce buyers similar to that in the United States, says the association’s newly elected chair.Mac James says the development of action plans signed by Canada and the United States late last year to assist cross border trade and align regulations between the two countries in December should help encourage the development of such legislation. The legislation in the United States is called the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.James grows potatoes, peppers and other horticultural crops on his Leamington-area farm. He was elected chair at the association’s annual meeting this week. He has been on the association board for seven years, most recently serving two one-year terms as vice chair. He’s also currently a director on the Ontario Potato Board.James says both the association and the Canadian Horticultural Council will be keeping an eye on the development of the action plans. In Ontario, the self-directed risk management program is working pretty well and just needs some streamlining, says James. “I haven’t heard many derogatory remarks about it. People seem to be happy so far.”As for upcoming provincial and federal government budgets, James says the association has asked both governments to be involved in their budget-cutting plans. “There are certain parts of agriculture that can be streamlined,” he says, noting they haven’t heard if the association will be included in the government’s budget planning.James says one thing he’s looking forward to is working with the rest of the board and the association’s staff. “They’re a really interested and enthusiastic group of people.”Joining James on the board are: vice chair Ray Duc (grapes), past chair Brian Gilroy (apples) who is the new property section chair, Norm Charbonneau (small fruits, berries), Jason Verkaik (fresh vegetables – muck), Jason Ryder (asparagus), Fred Meyers (tender fruit), Jan VanderHout and Don Taylor (both greenhouse), Ken Van Torre (ginseng) and Mary Shabatura (fresh vegetables). Ex-officio board members are the section chairs, including Ken Forth (labour), Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Mark Wales (safety nets), Charles Stevens (crop protection), Harold Schooley (research) and Murray Porteous (Canadian Horticultural Council). BF Property tax policy changes for green energy installations Court case highlights animal welfare issues
Poll Reveals Mixed Public Sentiment on BC Ostrich Cull Decision Monday, September 29, 2025 Farms.com poll shows divided opinions among Canadian farmers on the Supreme Court’s decision to halt the ostrich cull. A recent poll conducted on Farms.com's X account @OntAg aimed to capture Canadian farmers' views on the Supreme Court’s decision to halt the ostrich cull in British... Read this article online
Cereals Canada Expands 2025 Wheat Quality Study to Ontario Monday, September 29, 2025 The 2025 crop year marks a significant milestone for Cereals Canada as it expands its wheat quality analysis to a national scale. Known for over 50 years as a trusted expert in Western Canadian wheat quality, the Winnipeg-based organization is partnering with Grain Farmers of Ontario to... Read this article online
Shell Rotella’s SuperTractors competition Friday, September 26, 2025 Farmers put in long hours and endless dedication to feed and support their communities, and Shell Rotella is proud to spotlight these farmers with the fifth annual competition. Coinciding with —Sunday, October 12, 2025—the virtual event invites farmers across North America to share... Read this article online
Advanced aerial tools bring data driven farming solutions Friday, September 26, 2025 Modern agriculture is quickly embracing aerial technology to improve crop management and boost productivity. Terralynx (Formerly TerraNova UAV), a company once focused only on drones, now specializes in advanced data collection and analysis that supports farmers and researchers. The... Read this article online
What’s New at 2025 Advancing Women Conference--Movie Time on Sunday Night Friday, September 26, 2025 If you're one of the many loyal attendees of the, planning to join us in Niagara Falls this November, you are in for a special treat. This year, AWC EAST 2025 will feature a heartwarming and historically rich film screening that celebrates the resilience, courage, and contribution of young... Read this article online