18 It’s Farming. And It’s Better. Better Farming | September 2024 FLACK’S FARMING BACKGROUND Rob Flack was recently appointed Ontario’s new minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. With much discussion concerning Flack’s future plans, Better Farming explores the minister’s farming background to foretell how he will relate to Ontario producers. Tell us about your background in agriculture. “My earliest memories of farm life are being with my grandfather on his farms in the Ottawa Valley. While I didn’t grow up on a farm, I spent my summers working on dairy farms, which led to my deep desire to be part of all things agriculture. “After graduating from the University of Guelph, and not having a family farm to go home to, I did the next best thing: I got a job in agribusiness as a sales trainee with a feed company. “This led to a wonderful career in the animal nutrition industry as I learned the business from the ground up. I worked my way up the ranks and ultimately became the CEO of Masterfeeds Inc. and enjoyed growing the company with a great team throughout Canada.” What first inspired you to pursue a leadership role in the industry? “I believe in the saying, ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’ Throughout my career I always encouraged our management team to have leadership roles in our numerous NEW MINISTER HAS UNIQUE FARMING BACKGROUND ‘ALL THINGS AGRICULTURE’ BY MARY LOGGAN Photos courtesy of OMAFA
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