Farmers coming together to shape future of agriculture

By Louis Roesch, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Every November, farmers from across Ontario gather for one of the most important events on our calendar — the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

It’s a time of faith in our future and fellowship in new beginnings. From the most southern tip of the province to our northern regions, farmers young and old come together to share ideas, compare experiences, and learn from one another. Agriculture is always changing — and so are the people who drive it forward.

Ontario’s geography and climate are as diverse as our farms themselves. Soil and weather conditions vary dramatically, giving us a wide range of opportunities in the food and farm products we grow, raise and produce – and for learning from each other.

I’m a third-generation farmer in Chatham-Kent and director on the OFA board. Together with my family, we grow crops and raises livestock and run an on-farm retail outlet selling our own pork and eggs, as well as local Ontario beef and chicken. To me, when you can pick up one or two ideas from a conversation with another farmer — or share something that helps someone else solve a challenge — that’s what the OFA is all about: moving forward together.

This year’s AGM, taking place November 25 and 26 in Toronto, promises to be another engaging, thought-provoking and inspiring event. The theme — Strength in Unity: Farms & Food Forever — reflects our shared commitment to ensuring a strong, sustainable future for Ontario agriculture and our rural communities.

As farmers, we know that when we work together, our collective voice carries further and has greater impact — especially in these times of uncertainty for our economy, trade relationships, and political landscape.

Every year, the program features an exciting lineup of speakers and sessions designed to keep members informed and engaged. Trade, tariffs, Canada’s evolving relationship with the United States and the shifting global order are top of mind for many this year.

That’s why acclaimed political journalist and commentator Althia Raj will headline the keynote session, offering timely insights on Canada’s current political and economic landscape. Raj will explore what’s shaping national priorities, the outlook for trade negotiations, and how evolving federal policies could affect Ontario’s agriculture and food sectors. She’ll also connect the dots between Parliament Hill and rural Ontario, offering a thoughtful perspective on what’s ahead for our industry.

Delegates will also hear from Dr. Tom Deans, internationally renowned author of Every Family’s Business, on the dynamics of family business and wealth transition. His talk will provide valuable insights into how families can plan for success across generations — a topic that resonates deeply in agriculture.

A key part of every annual meeting is delegate debate and voting on resolutions that help shape OFA’s direction for the coming year. These resolutions come directly from members and reflect the issues affecting real farm businesses across Ontario, from land use and infrastructure to input costs, taxation, labour, and more.

They also bring forward regional concerns and challenges, like the drought that affected some areas of Ontario this year, so that affected farmers are heard and can be treated fairly — because when one part of the farm community suffers, we all feel it.