Commentary

Education Opportunities for Farmers and Future Farmers

July 16, 2021 | Paul Bootsma

The CFFO recognizes the need for education and supports programs for new farmers but also for those already invested in the industry.

Hearing Member Voices on Conservation Authorities

July 9, 2021 | Suzanne Armstrong

If you ask farmers about Conservation Authorities, you can get varied responses. Although we heard some frustrations during our CA discussion, predominantly we heard positive things about the work of local CAs.

Supply Management: Considering This Marketing Tool

July 2, 2021 | Paul Bootsma

There are differing opinions about this marketing tool, though many acknowledge what it has done for Canadian agriculture and farmers.

Good Water Stewardship a Must

June 25, 2021 | Clarence Nywening

With increasingly erratic weather, we need to be more mindful than ever about properly managing our water resources. Our future may depend on it.

Canada’s Housing Crisis: What’s the Cost to Farmland?

June 18, 2021 | Marie Versteeg

Canada’s housing market is under increasing strain, and there are major implications for farmland preservation if land use policies give way to development pressures.

Invasive Wild Pigs: Ontario’s Strategy

June 11, 2021 | Suzanne Armstrong

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) recently posted its “Draft: Ontario’s Strategy to Address the Threat of Invasive Wild Pigs.” The CFFO supports the need to take significant action across Ontario to prevent establishment of pigs in the wild.

Making Connections: Local Food Week

June 4, 2021 | Marie Versteeg

June 7-13, 2021, is Ontario Local Food Week. June is the perfect time of year to celebrate the delicious food grown here in Ontario, as well as to reflect on everything it takes to sustain the food system we enjoy.

The Changing Role of Large Animal Vets

May 28, 2021 | Paul Bootsma

For many, it may feel like there is a general shortage of veterinarians, but on the ground, it’s a little more complicated.

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.