Glacier FarmMedia – Grain Farmers of Ontario has officially joined national group Grain Growers of Canada.
The Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) will join 14 other grain groups across the country, including Alberta Grains, SaskWheat and the Atlantic Grains Council. According to a Jan. 8 news release, trade, transportation, infrastructure and research will be central to the groups’ unified advocacy under the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC).
Ontario is one of Canada’s top grain producing provinces, including 60 per cent of all corn produced in the country. Prior to the announcement, it was the only province without representation as a GGC member group.
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In the Jan. 8 release, GFO Chair Jeff Harrison called the partnership a “a strategic decision that reflects today’s political landscape and positions all grain farmers for long-term success,” saying grain farmers are strongest when standing with peers across Canada.
“We bring deep expertise and a strong voice to national discussions, and we are committed to working collaboratively to advance policies that benefit farmers from coast to coast,” Harrison said.
Scott Hepworth, GGC chair, said GFO’s joining the organization comes as Canadian grain farmers “have been dealing with the fallout of long-standing issues that have been left unresolved.”
“Global market instability is exposing cracks across the system, and Grain Farmers of Ontario joining Grain Growers of Canada reflects just how broad these pressures are and why a unified national voice, representing every major grain-producing region, is critical now,” said Hepworth.
