Ontario Sheep Farmers launch new strategic plan

Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) unveiled a five-year strategic plan Oct. 28 entitled Building Strength for a Better Future. 

“Our new plan sets an ambitious and engaging path forward for the organization,” said John Hemsted, newly elected OSF chair and District 6 director. “We are well-positioned to seize the opportunities and address the challenges we heard directly from our members and industry partners.” 

Those who took part in the year-long Crossroads Challenge throughout the sheep value chain provided insight, direction, areas for potential growth and connection in crafting a new strategic plan for OSF, he said. 

“An updated plan will allow OSF to clearly outline its future direction and goals for industry growth and success,” said Amy Cronin, Ontario Farm Producers Marketing Commission chair. “It asked the difficult questions. Having those difficult conversations is what leads to industry opportunities, growth and progress.”

Crossroads revealed five key goals, starting with the industry’s need to develop greater public trust and more dynamic market relationships. It also challenged the OSF to create a more robust system to identify leadership and support districts while supporting each member more effectively. 

Colleen Alloi, District 11, is first vice-chair and Jay Lewis, District 2, is second vice-chair. Ken Lamb replaced Marc Carere as District 7 director and Art Alblas took over for Ed Post as District 1 director. Keith Todd, District 3, Marusha Kostuk, District 4, Heather Little, District 5, Gary Fox, District 8, Reg Campbell, District 9 and Lee Brien for District 10 round out the board. 

Carere said the strategic plan launch provided the perfect segue to move from a leadership position into a supportive role.

“Often moving the industry forward requires taking bold action and making bold decisions,” Carere said. “And (those initiatives) require a forward-looking board focused on where we want to be in the future. Our board has a history of doing just that.” 

Carere said that’s reflected in the OSF’s move to be the first commodity-specific organization to join Farmers for Climate Solutions, a group active on the climate frontier. 

He said there’s more to the Ontario sheep industry than producing lambs. It plays a vital part in a complex environment that requires members to be nimble and monitor the activities of processors, retailers and other commodity organizations. 

“Our ability to build collaborative working relationships with government and other industry organizations has established the sustainable sheep industry we have today,” said Carere. 

Reflecting on his board tenure, Carere observed that attitude is everything. 

“A good dose of humility and willingness to learn is always a good place to start,” he said. “I’ve learned that the ability to come to the table with an open mind and learn from your fellow producers is what makes being a part of a group like the OSF board so meaningful.”

He encouraged the incoming board to remain curious. 

“Allowing your beliefs and ideas to be challenged while listening to and respecting people who see things differently and focussing on the objectives are essential to growth and change,” Carere said. “I know that my time on the board has changed me dramatically.”