Reviews mixed on OFA restructuring Thursday, February 5, 2009 Photo: Bette Jean Crews© AgMedia Inc.by GEOFF DALEIt’s early days yet but the recent restructuring of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture –including reducing its board of directors to 18 – is getting mixed reviews at the provincial and regional levels.While stressing she doesn’t to view the process with “rose-coloured glasses,” OFA president Bette Jean Crews says, “this is something we should have done years ago.”“We’ve got the right people in the right places,” she says. “The 18 directors from the different regions are already thinking like a team.”But Nancy Walther, a former president of the Oxford County Federation of Agriculture and currently on the OFA’s 100-member Policy Advisory Council, says the first meeting of the council, held Jan. 20, was a disappointment in some respects.“I wanted to see more teeth in terms of policy,” she says. “There was more of an overview of protocol, which may be necessary for new members but it was just too long.”Adding she was willing to give the process a chance, she says a major concern is there may be only four meetings held a year.“With only four or maybe more, we need more emphasis on policy and better preparation prior to the meeting,” she says.Crews says the process is already working, pointing out preparations for a new communications approach are in full swing – which will mean structured agendas, more focus and members that are in touch with all issues. BF Board considers extra credit for milk producers Milk trial wraps up
Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington Thursday, September 18, 2025 On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online
Ontario’s most problematic weed -- Canada Fleabane Cuts Corn and Soybean Yields Wednesday, September 17, 2025 At the , Dr. Peter Sikkema of the University of Guelph highlighted the persistent challenge of Canada fleabane, one of Ontario’s most problematic weeds. Once easily controlled with glyphosate, the weed has now developed resistance not only to glyphosate but also to multiple herbicide... Read this article online
Augusta Van Muyen selected as the 67th Grape King Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Grape Growers of Ontario and Farm Credit Canada have announced that Lincoln vineyard manager Augusta Van Muyen has been chosen by her peers as the . Currently, the vineyard manager at Tawse Winery, Van Muyen, followed a path to success that took her across Ontario and the world.... Read this article online
Grain Growers of Canada calls on Carney to Prioritize Upgrades to the Port of Vancouver Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is calling on the federal government to urgently prioritize major upgrades to the Port of Vancouver and its connecting rail infrastructure. The organization warns that without these improvements, Canada’s economic growth and global trade reliability are at... Read this article online
Strategies to Optimize Market Returns in Ontario Monday, September 15, 2025 Berkley Fedorchuk, grain marketing specialist with Hensall Co-op in Southwestern Ontario, recently shared insights into the current corn market and strategies for forward marketing during his presentation at the . With a focus on the Ontario and Eastern Canadian grain sectors,... Read this article online