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Q&A with Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Don McCabe at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show

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The Sentinel-Review sat down with Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Don McCabe on day two of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show to talk about the organization’s anniversary and what worries are plaguing farmers in Ontario.

Q: How’s the farm show going so far?

A: The farm show is experiencing wonderful weather. The rain was minimal last night, but of course the site is so well drained it makes things still wonderful today. I have not heard attendance figures but I know…it’s a good number. It’s really good to have the farm community out to see opportunity ahead.

Q: What’s the biggest benefit for the Federation, being at the farm show to chat with local and not-so-local producers?

A: Every farmer in the province of Ontario is local. We represent 36,000 of them, from Quebec to Manitoba to Pelee Island. When you’re representing the number one industry in the province, a $36 billion GDP output, it’s important to have an opportunity to ensure that when a member comes up to you with a concern or an idea or a suggestion…you’re able to offer some insight or resolution or acknowledgement that this needs to be looked at, to help them better work their business. The OFA’s job is to ensure a business has the tools it requires to be the best, and have a sustainable and prosperous future.

Q: What’s the biggest concern you’re hearing from producers?

A: To be honest, I can’t say there is just one. It’s a wide range.

Q: Give me a sense of what you're hearing.

A: I’ve heard about property taxes, I’ve heard about wind turbines, I’ve heard about climate change plans, I’ve heard about animal welfare - I’ve heard about everything that’s out in the press.

Q: I understand OFA is celebrating a special anniversary. Talk to me about marking 80 years.

A: It’s a wonderful milestone for the issue of farmers working for farmers, we’re 80 years young now and continuing to work towards that goal…other things have spawned because of the initiation 80 years ago of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: It has to go back to the membership...farmers are just a very hardworking, diligent group. They don’t want a whole lot of press…they just want to be able to do what they do. Their keen ambition to be stewards of the land, (and) improve their efficiency and productivity, means that there are less and less farmers achieving more and more and more. And society doesn’t understand it.

This interview has been condensed.

 

 

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