Spoelstra to lead Ontario Federation of Agriculture for second term

Drew Spoelstra was re-elected to a second one-year term as president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture at its annual general meeting Nov. 27.

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“It’s been an extremely busy year,” said Spoelstra. “We got a lot done. We’ve got a lot to do going forward. I’m excited to get started at it again.”

Why it matters: The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is the province’s largest farm organization.

Spoelstra has represented Halton, Hamilton/Wentworth producers as an OFA director since 2013 before becoming vice-president and then elected to lead the organization last year.

He said the OFA has worked closely with the energy ministry, supporting implementation of agriculture impact assessments for new green energy projects and prohibiting solar farms on prime agricultural lands in classes one, two and three.

“We’re looking forward to working with the government to develop an ag impact assessment that has some teeth that can work towards the prevention of the issues we’re seeing across the province in terms of chewing up more farmland,” he said.

The assessments allow companies to demonstrate how their project benefits the farm community.

In the new year, Spoelstra said he will continue to develop relationships with both government levels to advance agriculture issues and raise awareness about land use and farmland loss.

“Food and farming touches all Ontarians in many different ways. It’s a major pillar of the provincial economy so it’s important for Ontario agriculture’s voice to be heard by decision-makers. We will continue to make that a priority in the year to come.”

The Binbrook dairy and crop farmer said he appreciates the board’s trust and confidence in him to lead the organization and its work.

Fourth-generation farmer Sara Wood from Perth County was elected to a second term as vice-president and a second three-year term as a director-at-large.

Ethan Wallace was elected vice-president after serving as an executive member, replacing Paul Vickers who opted not to run again. Vickers served one year as vice-president and one year as an executive member.

“We appreciate Paul’s contributions to the executive over the past two years and wish him well with his future endeavours,” said Spoelstra.

Paul Maurice, an OFA director since 2021 representing farmers in Peel, Simcoe and York, is now an executive member.