AALP Class 16 Examines Issues Facing Northern Ontario Agriculture

Positive collaborative approach to farming

Twenty-six Class 16 members of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program, an executive training program for agricultural professionals, visited the Temiskaming region of Northern Ontario in mid-April as part of their 18 month personal journey of leadership development and professional training.

Seminar #5 was held at the Elk Lake Eco Centre, a unique and ideal location for the 3-day series of speakers and presentations covering local area issues, initiatives and further progressing the professional education of the participants from across Ontario. The seminar covered topics such as ‘telling our story’ to the greater public and time management for the 21st century.

Pete Overdevest, a Class 16 participant and a dairy farmer from Bright, Ontario, appreciated the seminar on time management for organizing an office space and timing and how it affects our efficiency. According to Pete, “There were lots of good pointers in that presentation.”

Several presenters also discussed the many local initiatives in place to develop the regional agricultural community economically and culturally. “I was very impressed by the northern need for agriculture which shows again how agriculture is a stable industry to be in.” Pete said.

Finally, participants toured several farming initiatives in the area including cash cropping, sheep, beef and timber to gain a better perspective of the opportunities, challenges and culture of farming in Northern Ontario.

Class 16 participant Robin Brown -- a and farmer from Woodville, ON -- commented that she was impressed by the positive collaborative approach to development in the North, demonstrated with a common shared message with each of the organizations, groups and government speakers who presented to the AALP group. “Those in ’the north’ all seem to be on the ’same page’ regarding opportunities, programs, funding and development opportunities.”

AALP Class 16 will leave on its 10-day North American Study Tour in early July 2016 -- the next phase of the program.

More information on the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) is available at www.ruralontarioinstitute.ca or by calling the Rural Ontario Institute at 519-826-4204.