Farmers are no strangers to uncertainty — weather, markets, and regulations are part of our daily reality — but recent events have reminded us how vulnerable we can be to forces beyond our control. The arrival of a new U.S. administration has brought turbulence and unpredictability that continue to put tariffs and trade squarely at the forefront of national discussions.
At the OFA, Ontario’s largest general farm organization that represents about 88% of the province’s farmers, we’ve taken these challenges head-on.
Working with our provincial and federal partners, we’ve embraced a Team Canada approach to ensure farmers’ voices are heard where key decisions are made. That means meetings, media interviews, farm show conversations, committee participation, video updates, and grassroots advocacy — all part of the ongoing work our OFA team carries out every day.
Even in difficult times, adversity can spark collaboration and innovation. This year, we’ve seen how working together makes our voice stronger. A united letter endorsed by farm organizations across the country sent a clear message to government: agriculture is the backbone of Canada’s economy, and farmers need stability to keep producing the food, fuel, flowers, and fibre our country relies on.
We also supported the Let’s Grow Canada initiative at the federal level, a collective effort to strengthen our food system and ensure Canadian agriculture remains competitive in a volatile world. Real progress can take time, but many things are possible when we stand together with purpose and persistence.
Trade isn’t the only file where OFA has been active. We’ve continued to advocate for more effective business risk management tools, because stability and predictability are critical when markets are volatile and costs keep rising.
We’ve pressed for improvements to interprovincial trade, to remove barriers that restrict growth opportunities here at home. And we’ve been vocal about the urgent need for more local processing capacity — investments that would create jobs, strengthen rural economies, and reduce dependence on fragile supply chains.
None of this work happens in isolation. It depends on strong partnerships with agricultural commodity organizations, industry leaders, and all levels of government. Most importantly, it depends on our local federations of agriculture and their dedicated volunteers who keep OFA grounded in the day-to-day realities of farms and rural life across Ontario.
What I’m most proud of this year is how Ontario’s farm community has demonstrated resilience, creativity, and unity in the face of uncertainty. Farmers aren’t just problem-identifiers — we’re problem-solvers. We bring practical ideas and real-world solutions to the table, and we work tirelessly to keep agriculture thriving for generations to come.
Every season brings new challenges, but also new opportunities to innovate, to grow stronger, and to help shape the future of our sector. OFA will continue to be the voice of Ontario farmers and working for solutions that strengthen Ontario agriculture and our rural communities.
As we head into our annual general meeting next week, I want to thank our members for their trust, input, and support; the policy and decision makers and business leaders who take the time to meet with us; and the many, many Ontarians who support local food and farming every day in a multitude of ways.
Source : OFA