30 It’s Farming. And It’s Better. Better Farming | January 2024 OFA members from across the province gathered in Toronto in November for the 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM). The meeting featured presentations from guest speakers, educational workshops, OFA elections, and a Harvest Dinner gala with locally-sourced food and tastings from Ontario wineries and breweries. Guest speakers included senator Rob Black, Ontario agriculture minister Lisa Thompson, John Vanthof, MPP, Timiskaming-Cochrane and critic, Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, keynote speaker Kelly Dobson, president, LeaderShift Inc., Derek Edwards, Canadian comedian, and Robert Reinmuller, vice president, Hydro One, transmission planning and large customer accounts. Four popular educational workshops were: AgRobotics and Innovation in an Era of Immense Change, presented by OMAFRA’S Ian McDonald, applied research coordinator, field crops; Farming a Story – Engaging with Government and the Media, presented by Enterprise Canada’s Kalvin Reid, director of public relations, and Jonathan Sampson, director of government relations; Finding Solutions for Deadstock Management, presented by consultant Jennifer MacTavish; and Planners as Your Best Friend, presented by Dr. Wayne Caldwell, formerly of the University of Guelph, and OFA’s Gwenyth McCarthy, farm policy analyst. After three years as president, Peggy Brekveld stepped down from the role and chose not to seek re-election as a director. She previously held the role of OFA vice president from 2014 to 2020 and was elected as president in 2020. Brekveld was the 32nd president and the third woman to hold the position. “It’s been an honour to serve as president of the OFA these past three years, and I’m very proud of what this organization has been able to accomplish during this time,” Brekveld said in a recent release. “Most of all, I’m both proud and humbled by the trust FIELD TRIP DELEGATES GATHER IN TORONTO TO LEARN, VOTE & CELEBRATE THE INDUSTRY. OFA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING By LESLIE STEWART Photos by EMILY CROFT, JAMES McVICAR & PAUL NOLAN
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