Commentary

Regenerative Agriculture: Worth Looking Into

May 21, 2021 | Clarence Nywening

Recently, there has been a lot of interest in regenerative agriculture. It’s a way of farming that takes environmentally sustainable principles that we’ve adopted for decades and amplifies them so that we’re actually contributing to the planet’s health and biodiversity.

Soil Health: Laying the Groundwork for the Next Policy Framework

May 14, 2021 | Marie Versteeg

Conserving and improving our soils is a tremendously important task, involving education, extension, cost share funding and other efforts. Public support will be necessary to protect this precious resource.

Managing Stress in the Planting Season

May 7, 2021 | Simon de Boer

A new growing season has started, and many of us will spend our fair share sitting on a tractor seat, with ample time to think. This year, the stress may feel harder to handle.

How to Expand Ontario Meat Processing

April 30, 2021 | Paul Bootsma

CFFO has submitted recommendations to agriculture minister Hon. Ernie Hardeman on ways to mitigate risk for small and medium-sized abattoirs.

Making the Greenbelt Bigger…A Lot Bigger

April 23, 2021 | Suzanne Armstrong

The CFFO believes that Greenbelt protections need to be more broadly applied to be effective. As a result, we have requested that all prime agricultural areas across Ontario be added to the Greenbelt.

Time for Consistency in Treating Temporary Foreign Workers

April 16, 2021 | Ed Scharringa

As the pandemic rages on, the need for clarity and consistency in the way farmers and temporary foreign workers are treated is critical.

Land Use Planning: Where Do We Draw the Line?

April 9, 2021 | Marie Versteeg

Ontario’s land use planning policy frameworks encourage municipalities to designate far more land for development than we’re actually going to need.

Spring Renewal, Easter Hope

April 2, 2021 | Marie Versteeg

As winter fades and spring takes its place, we witness the natural world’s cycle of death and resurrection at the same time that we prepare our hearts for Good Friday remembrance and Easter celebration.

Consumers and Farmers: A Conversation Worth Having

March 26, 2021 | Paul Bootsma

The social contract has become a popular term in the ag media. With the noticeable increase of consumer interest in food production, this is a good time to have this conversation.

Clean Fuel Standard – What are the Costs?

March 19, 2021 | Suzanne Armstrong

In a direct way, the Clean Fuel Standard will increase the costs for fossil fuels used to heat homes and run personal vehicles. The CFFO is also concerned that this will increase the cost of food.