Perth County farm groups share priorities at spring forum with MP, MPP

Perth County Federation of Agriculture directors gather with the local MP and MPP during the recent Spring Forum meeting. Front row, from left: Laura Good (vice president), John Nater (MP Perth-Wellington), Lindsay Roosendaal, Laura Barker (executive member), Julie McIntosh (president), Ethan Wallace (OFA zone director and OFA vice president), Julie Danen and Tim Halliday. Back row, from left: Pete Nyenhuis, Ian Riddell, Matthew Rae (MPP Perth-Wellington), Eric McLagan and Gerald Kolkman. Gary West photo

By Gary West

The Perth County Federation of Agriculture (PCFA) held its annual spring forum in Mitchell, bringing together local farm commodity groups with Perth-Wellington MP John Nater and MPP Matthew Rae to discuss key issues affecting the agricultural sector.

All PCFA directors volunteer their time, and the annual forum provides an opportunity for commodity representatives to share priorities directly with federal and provincial officials.

Participating organizations included milk producers, egg farmers, beef producers, sheep farmers, chicken producers, pork producers and grain farmers, along with a presentation of the PCFA’s own brief.

Each commodity group provided an overview of its sector and outlined current challenges and opportunities affecting local producers.

Newly elected PCFA president Julie McIntosh said the meeting fostered collaboration across a wide range of agricultural sectors.

“It was a fantastic day for the commodity organizations and many diverse types of farmers coming together in one room,” McIntosh said.

She noted the groups found common ground despite representing different commodities.

“They had more in common than different and had great discussions with MP John Nater and MPP Matthew Rae, as well as municipal representatives who were also in attendance,” she said.

Common concerns raised during the forum included trade, rural infrastructure, processing capacity and the availability of labour.

McIntosh emphasized the importance of continued dialogue among farm groups and government representatives.

“By working together and keeping this conversation going, we can hopefully drive solutions in the future for farmers and the safe, local food they continue to produce 365 days a year,” she said.