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CHRISTIAN FARMERS FEDERATION OF ONTARIO

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

President’sComments

FederationBusiness

Policy Notes

SPRI

NG

Newsletter

DistrictNews

April 2014, Volume 12, No.1

The year 2013 has been an interesting and optimistic year for farmers across Ontario. Many sectors of the agriculture com-

munity are having a very satisfying year. The year was not without its share of challengers. The continuous rains in part of

the province during the normal planting, haying and recent harvest season has tested farmer patience. Our grain and oilseed

producers are not experiencing the robust prices they received last year but the pork, beef and sheep sectors are welcoming

the chance to move towards better margins. The fruit and vegetable sector are encouraged by the keen interest of consumers

in local foods.

This is also the time of the year to look ahead. The CFFO has a dual role of dealing with current issues and to look ahead to the

challenges and opportunities that farm families will face in the future. Are there ways to make the world we live and work in

a better place for all of us?

The landscape of rural Ontario is changing rapidly, during the last few years over a half million acres of hay and pasture has

been converted to annual grain and oilseed crops. The CFFO is asking what impact these changes have on long term soil health

and the other species that we share the environment with. Will we be able to maintain and improve the organic matter con-

tent productivity of our soils? Will pollinators adapts and thrive without the biodiversity that was traditional in Ontario agricul-

ture. Will our rapid adoption and dependence on new technology have some unintended consequences for those other plant,

insect and micro-organism species. The CFFO is working with the Sustainability Chair at the University of Guelph to research

these issues and looking for guidance from this research. We want our child and their farm families to have the same or better

opportunities than we have had. Being good stewards of all of our resources – land, water and air is the legacy we will pass to

our children.

Last month Premier Kathleen Wynne challenges the Agriculture and Food industry to become the engine of growth and pros-

perity for the Province. The agriculture and food industry already challenges the automotive sector as the largest sector in the

Ontario economy. In Ontario we have some of the best farm land in the world, a very desirable climate and a resourceful and

talented farm population. To rise to the challenge we will have to use all of our resources to their potential. We will have to

welcome new technology and incorporate new operating techniques. We will have to do so under the watchful eye of our ur-

ban cousins while providing safe nutritious food, sustaining the environment for future generations, and assuring the welfare

of our farm animals. I am confident that the farm families of Ontario are up to the challenge.

I am very optimistic about the future of agriculture in Ontario. These are opportunities around every corner. Yes there will be

challenges, but I know that farmers of Ontario love a challenge and will channel their resources to meet every challenge, and

will enjoy the gratification that comes from achieving success. May I wish you and your family every success in the year ahead.

Lorne Small

PRESIDENT’SCOMMENTS

Lorne SmallPRESIDENT

CFFO Newsletter

April 2014, Volume 12, No. 1


• The CFFO has purchased a property

in Guelph. The CFFO office will be

moving as soon as a number of reno-

vations have been completed.

• Board and staff members set aside a

day in February for a strategic plan-

ning session. The session will focus

primarily on effectively communicat-

ing the CFFO’s message.

• President Small and several staff

members have met with experts on a

number of issues, such as neonicoti-

noids, predation and trade.

• Board members are representing the

CFFO at a large number of other or-

ganizations’ annual meetings.

• The Executive Board has in principal

agreed to undertake a Cross-Com-

pliance Project with the Wheeler

Group. The project is meant to look

at long term sustainability from a

pro-active standpoint – based on

the triple bottom-line approach that

includes economical, environmental

and societal pillars. The project will

result in a discussion paper for CFFO.

FEDERATION BUSINESS

DISTRICT NEWSPaul Bootsma

FIELD SERVICES MANAGER

The 2014 South West Ag Conference

held at Ridgetown College was an-

other successful event. Farmers were

out for the two day event which fea-

tured speakers on current issues and a

trade show hall with vendors eager to

engage with visitors, the C-K-E district

was there as well with a display.

The Grey-Bruce district held its annual

meeting on January 30, 2014 in the

Keady Community Centre. CFFO presi-

dent Lorne Small spoke on the work of

the CFFO’s task teams of the last 2 years

and how they are setting the stage for

the federation for the next number of

years. District president Ian McCombie

reported that the past work the dis-

trict was involved with about the clos-

ing of small abattoirs has paid off since

changes have come in how they are in-

spected. He also updated the group on

the Canadian Foodgrains Bank project

the district is involved with in connec-

tion with the CFFO’s 60th anniversary.

FARM SHOWS

CFFO Staff & board members will be

hosting a booth at the following farm

shows in the next few months.

London Farm show, March 5-7

Ottawa Farm show, March 11-13

East Central Farm Show in Lindsay

March 5&6.

Earlton farm show April 11&12

CFFO Newsletter

CFFO Newsletter

POLICY NOTESNathan StevensGENERAL MANAGER,

DIRECTOR OF POLICY DEVELOPMENT


THE PREMIER’S CHALLENGE

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne re-

cently challenged the agriculture and

agri-food sector to double the rate

of growth in the sector and produce

another 120,000 jobs. The growth

portion of the challenge is one that

farmers can take on through new

technology and better management.

The job creation side seems destined

for the food processing sector, but

Ontario’s farmers can be the ones to

provide them with the raw materials

they need to succeed. Despite recent

setbacks in the sector with the clo-

sures of the old Kellog’s and Heinz

plants, we believe that focused ef-

fort on the part of the province and

host municipalities can bring in new

business.

For agriculture, the CFFO is focused

on the opportunity of better wa-

ter management for farmers. Many

farmers are already strong propo-

nents of drainage systems as a pro-

ductivity enhancer, but we believe

that responsible irrigation use is the

next step in enhancing yields in agri-

culture. With the tremendous value

of land in some parts of the prov-

ince, it makes sense to maximize the

potential of each valuable acre.

CFFO IN ACTION

PRE-BUDGET CONSULTATIONS

The CFFO weighed in on the 2014

Ontario budget with three key asks.

Our first message was clear and sim-

ple – stay the course in working to-

wards balancing the budget. There

are few things that could hurt all

of agriculture more than increased

interest rates. Our second message

was that investing in the productiv-

ity of the sector would be prudent.

Finally, we believe that investing in

market intelligence gathering will

lead to new business opportuni-

ties for the agriculture as more and

more trade opportunities open up.

GREAT LAKES WATER QUALITY

AGREEMENT

Phosphorus loading into the Great

Lakes, particularly Lake Erie, has

been identified as one of most criti-

cal environmental concerns for On-

tario and the American States sur-

rounding the lakes. The reason for

this concern stems from the increase

in harmful algae blooms on the lakes

in recent years. Agriculture has been

identified as a significant contributor

to this concern (but hardly the only

concern) and the sector needs to

make adjustments to reduce its con-

tribution. Ontario, Ohio, and Michi-

gan, as well as the Canadian and

American federal governments, are

working together on this important

matter. CFFO has been asked to play

a role communicating between our

members and government on how

best to approach this issue.

UNDERSTANDING THE GREENBELT

The CFFO and a number of other

stakeholders are providing input into

a University of Guelph led study into

the impacts of ten years of Green-

belt Policy. This is tremendously im-

portant as the formal review of this

policy will take in the near future.

The CFFO is a strong supporter of

farmland preservation but we also

need to ensure that farm businesses

are able to thrive in protected areas.

CFFO Newsletter


Seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12. I’m

looking at the membership list

for the district of Renfrew-Lanark of

the Christian Farmers Federation of

Ontario (CFFO). Of the 102 names,

there are only 12 who sound Dutch.

A bit surprising, because it was Dutch

immigrants who started CFFO.

Sixty years ago, in March of 1954, a

small group of Dutch immigrants met

in Strathroy, Ontario to begin work-

ing towards a type of agriculture that

supports family farms, contributes to

local communities and provides care

for the world and its creatures. They

created the Christian Farmers Feder-

ation of Ontario (CFFO) to give voice

to this vision.

But the story of the Christian Farm-

ers Federation of Ontario really be-

gan over 100 years ago in the Neth-

erlands. In 1891, at the Christian

Social Congress, Abraham Kuyper,

the future Prime minister of the

Netherlands, called for a Christian

program to tackle social problems.

He advocated the establishment of

distinctly Calvinist institutions in all

sectors of society.

By around 1918, in the Netherlands,

three specialized employers’ unions

had emerged. One of these was the

Christelijke Boren en Tuindershond

(CBTB), or, as we would call them,

the Christian Farmers and Garden-

ers Union.

The minutes of that initial farm

meeting in Strathroy record: “Every-

one feels the great need for this.”

There was no fanfare, no public an-

nouncement, only the fervency of a

great need: a need to establish their

work in agriculture as God’s work.

Today, the CFFO still strives to realize

the founding vision of the original

members.

Since 1994, membership has in-

creased six-fold, from just over 500 in

the early 1990s, thanks to the Ontario

NDP government of Bob Rae and Ag-

riculture Minister Elmer Buchanan. It

was Buchanan who introduced legis-

lation requiring farmers in Ontario to

support (pay a yearly fee) to one of

the province’s general farm organiza-

tions. CFFO’s modeling in the 1950s

on the organizational structure of the

CBTB meant that it had developed

in Ontario as a general farm organi-

zation with a set of geographically

based local associations. CFFO quali-

fied as a general farm organization

(the other being the Ontario Federa-

tion of Agriculture) and experienced

a sudden huge jump in member-

ship and a large jump in income. No

longer were CFFO members mainly

Dutch Calvinists in background.

Meindert van der Galien is an agricul-

ture writer and columnist.

WITH DUTCH CHRISTIAN ROOTS THE CFFO TURNS 60By Meindert van der Galien

Page 5

CFFO Newsletter


HAITI FOUR YEARS LATER What Good Things Can Come From Disaster BY: Betsy Wall

I was an ambivalent teenager when

I followed my father to Haiti in the

late 1960’s; not sure that I wanted to

visit a country smothered in abject

poverty and even more unsure what

on earth I could do about it. Haiti

promised adventure. It was hot,

exotic, and different. It proved all

that and more; too much more

for me. I couldn’t see past the

sick and diseased, the distended

bellies and auburn hair of mal-

nourished children; the dust, the

flies, the noise, the crowds. Haiti

reeked of poverty and I didn’t

like it one bit. Haiti made me un-

comfortable. Even though I had

occasion to return from time to

time, I remained guarded. Haiti was

not my problem.

I have learned a lot since that fateful

weekend trip. I have learned much

about the complexities of Haiti and

its people, of poverty, and of why it

seems to never go away. “The poor

will always be among us,” says Je-

sus. “So why do anything?” I (once)

thought. However, I (eventually)

chose to act otherwise. ‘Eventually’

turned out to be some thirty years

later when I was presented with the

opportunity to work for the organi-

zation my father founded (FIDA). The

offer seemed either a blessing or a

curse. I banked on the former and

thus began my education in interna-

tional development.

I still have memory of a time when

Haiti was able to feed itself. Today,

this country, once a significant ex-

porter of sugar, coffee, and numer-

ous fruits is now nearly entirely

dependent on imports to feed its

people. Although the situation be-

came exacerbated by the impact of

the earthquake as well as rising costs

of world food commodities, with the

United Nations Food and Agriculture

Organization (FAO) predicting that

Haiti’s food import bills will be the

highest in the world (more than 80%

compared to 2007), it is really the

legacy of foreign interests that have

systemically undermined Haiti’s food

production over the last thirty years.

One may think that not much good

can come from a disaster such as

the earthquake that befell Haiti on

January 12, 2010. But many of us do

know that when bad things happen,

we tend to see things around us in a

CFFO Newsletter

January 2014, Volume 12, No. 1

different way. This was the case with

Haiti. Today, there is almost no one in

the world that does not know where

this tiny little country is and the sad-

ness that surrounded its people. I

recall the morning after the quake

as the first of the military troops

started to arrive. The previous night

had been dark with grief. It seemed

that we were so alone and forgotten,

that there was nothing left but our

faith and our hymns. It is a night I

will never, ever forget. And so, my

question to the troops was, “What

has happened? What are people

saying?” “Well,” they said, “Peo-

ple are saying, poor Haiti. What

more can happen to these poor,

poor people?” Indeed, what more

can happen? Moreover, is there any

good that can really come of this? I

believe so.

Firstly, we began seeing Haiti in a

different way. Rather than think-

ing of Haitians as poor and needy

and desperate, we are now seeing

Haitians as courageous, resilient,

working together to overcome an

unimaginable adversity in the most

unimaginable circumstances. They

are making something from nothing.

However, we also saw things that

were not so good. I was in Haiti for

four days following the earthquake,

arriving home on Sunday morning in

time to catch the 6:00 a.m. news. It

was my first glimpse of what the rest

of the world was seeing and how the

world was responding to the magni-

tude of need and helplessness. I was

sickened to see boxes of food being

thrown out of helicopters and backs

of trucks, sickened by the subse-

quent image of tanks and gun-toting

UN forces being driven in to quell the

chaos that had been created by the

ineptitude of the food aid distribu-

tors. I wept, wondering what our

humanitarianism has come to. Haiti

deserves better. We must change.

The second good thing that has come

from this disaster is that Haitians are

finally standing up and saying what

they really desire. Although there

appears to be much good intent to

listen to the people of Haiti and to

truly be responsive to their needs,

we often already have in mind what

we want to give and what we want to

get out of it. For the last four years,

the resounding refrain from peasant

to politician is that Haiti must invest

in the agricultural sector; that the

hope of the country is in its people

to produce. Indeed. In the last four

years, FIDA/pcH has received an un-

precedented number of requests

from communities to invest in their

desire to form their own agricultur-

al cooperatives. This is a vision we

share, and it is here that our resourc-

es must be invested.

On the Friday afternoon following

the earthquake and before leaving

Haiti, I asked to be driven down-

town. I wanted to chronicle these

images of Haiti. I wanted them to be

part of my being. I wanted never to

forget these days of my life. One im-

age significantly affecting was that

of the crucified Christ on the cross;

the sole remnant of what was once a

grand church. Throughout my forty-

plus years’ relationship with Haiti,

I have had many opportunities to

meet people who come to Haiti be-

lieving that they have been called

to this special mission: to save and

solve and fix and heal Haiti. “We

come,” they say, “to bring love,

hope, solutions. We come, be-

cause we are blessed. Haiti is poor.

Haiti is a mess. Haiti needs us.” How-

ever, time after time I have heard

testimony as to how Haiti has in turn,

loved, healed, and redeemed them.

Perhaps Haiti is not the mission? Per-

haps it is we that are the mission?

Perhaps it is here, in this poor, devas-

tated corner of the world that Christ

lives and calls us to be forgiven?

Perhaps that lonely, naked, and holy

icon of the thorn-crowned Christ

amidst the rubble is the prophetic

sign? Perhaps on that fateful day of

January 12th we became witness to

the supreme sacrifice of Haiti? I pray

that in the years to come, it may not

signify its last frontier of loss, that of

our humanity.

Betsy Wall

[email protected]

T: 519-886-9520

CHRISTIAN FARMERS FEDERATION OF ONTARIO7660 MILL RD., RR 4GUELPH, ON N1H 6J1T: 519-837-1620Fax: 519-824-1835Email: [email protected] Site: www.christianfarmers.org

RETURN UNDELIVERABLE ITEMS TO

The CFFO Newsletter is published four times per year by the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario for its members and friends. Editor: Jenny Denhartog; Production Manager: Franchesca Weeks

April 2014, Volume 12, No. 1CFFO Newsletter

C

el

ebrating

CHRISTIAN FARMERSFederation Of Ontario

Years

College Scholarship Program

The CFFO is offering post-secondary students who are studying in an agricultural related pro-gram scholarships valued at $500. To apply for the scholarship Please contact our field service manager, Paul Bootsma on 519-820-6856

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