The Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance hosted a Lunch & Learn at Queen’s Park earlier this week to celebrate Ontario Agriculture Week, bringing together some of those who work on our Alliance with some of those who work for the Province.
Jamie Reaume, Chair of the GHFFA, kicked off the lunch by briefly speaking to the Alliance’s unique robust partnership: a blend of rural and urban, farmers and municipal partners, government and non-profit.
Alongside a delicious local lunch, provided by King Cole Ducks from York Region, three spirited speakers highlighted the power of the Ontario agriculture sector and the innumerable benefits it brings to the province’s economy.
Carl Loewith, a dairy farmer and Co-owner of Summitholm Holsteins, spoke to the tireless hours farmers put in, while specifically highlighting the dairy industry and the grand economic activity that farms bring to Ontario. After offering some of his own impressive numbers, Carl clarified it’s not just about his business’s numbers, but that he is one of hundreds of farms producing this impact.
Patricia Thompson with King Cole Ducks shared a great video on their business, before personally speaking to the diverse activity and work on their farm. The rise in local food support has had a huge impact for them, Patricia explained, but they face an ongoing demand for workers. Patricia also spoke to sustainability efforts on their farm, and the Canadian global reach they have achieved (e.g. King Cole Ducks sends Halal duck to the Middle East).
Jen Christie with 4-H Canada, who was also just at the Advancing Women Conference, highlighted women in agriculture, and began talking about her family history – crediting her upbringing to growing up on a farm. Jen then focused on the significant need to promote the endless career opportunities that are in agriculture to young people.
Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, who was also in attendance, was acknowledged for her “Growing Agri-Food Jobs” Motion.
“Currently we have no shortage of employers who have job opportunities, but they’re increasingly telling us that there just aren’t enough people who are trained properly to fill them,” Lisa Thompson has previously said. Thompson has also explained, shared in this CTV News article, that “[t]he reality is, for every graduate from the University of Guelph (agricultural programs), three jobs are waiting for them.”
Jamie, who is also a Holland Marsh farmer, concluded by driving the message home: we are the largest economic driver in the province; we are healthcare providers. Let’s keep this conversation going.
The GHFFA would like to extend a thanks to Carl, Patricia and Jen for taking the time to join us in this thoughtful #OntAgWeek celebration!