Ontario Federation of Agriculture invests in local initiatives – Revive Fund generates $975,000 in support over four years

GUELPH ON– The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is making an additional contribution of over $100,000 into its Revive Fund for 2024. This will be matched by contributions from county federations and other partners for a total investment of approximately $284,000 into projects to be completed this year.

This brings the estimated total investment into the program by all partners to approximately $975,000 since it was first launched four years ago. The Revive Fund provides matching funding to help the OFA’s 51 county and regional federations plan, develop and launch projects and initiatives in support of agriculture and their local communities.

“The belief in the strength of community and of giving back runs deep in Ontario, particularly in our rural areas, and OFA is proud to support local initiatives that foster this type of engagement and involvement by our membership,” says OFA President Drew Spoelstra, a dairy and crop farmer from the Hamilton area. “It is truly remarkable that this fund has generated close to $1 million of investment into local projects and initiatives for the betterment of communities across Ontario.”

Since its inception, the Revive Fund has supported projects like farm and road safety signage, training for first responders in agricultural emergencies, teaching people about farming, promoting local food, and support for food banks.

For 2024, OFA received applications for projects including CPR and First Aid training, mental health workshops, 911 sign campaigns for vacant farmland, slow moving vehicle signage and road safety campaigns, member appreciation breakfasts and lunches, and a wide range of training workshops for local farmers.

“This year, we received many more applications than we had funding to allocate, and I’m proud of how our local federations have embraced this initiative to address identified needs in their communities with innovative project ideas. I’m excited to see what the 2024 rollout of projects will bring,” adds Spoelstra.

The Revive Fund was first launched by the OFA in 2021 when many farming and rural communities were struggling under the impacts of the pandemic. It allows OFA county and regional federations to apply or funding to support local projects focused on farmer mental wellness, farm health and safety, leadership development or member engagement.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) represents 38,000 farm families across the province and serves as the leading advocate and strongest voice of Ontario’s farmers. As a dynamic farmer-led organization, the OFA represents and champions the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more.