Unlike some, I get excited at election time because I view an election as the best chance for me as a Canadian to do my part to help move the country forward.  I was not surprised last week when we learned that we would be returning to the poles on May 2^nd; however I was disappointed by the cynicism that accompanied the news of the election in our major media outlets.  Many are calling this election “a waste of 300 million dollars” that probably won’t change anything in terms of balance of power.  As a Canadian, I’m not going to waste time on bellyaching, whether this election changes anything is not my concern; my concern is that Canadians get involved and show some passion when it comes to debating the issues that will help move our country forward.

Given my aforementioned thoughts, you’re probably not surprised that that I was a little disappointed with the first week of the campaign.  The first days of the election were consumed with fear mongering surrounding whether or not a coalition would be formed in the event that the Conservatives don’t win a majority.  No wonder people become disenfranchised with Canadian politics.  Our prospective politicians and their leaders spend so much time on rhetoric that they forget that there are over 30 million Canadians out there depending on them to address the issues that are affecting their everyday lives.  Canadian voters deserve more then rhetoric, they deserve leaders that are willing to address the plethora of issues facing Canadians today.

For Canadian agriculture; there is much on the line in this election.  In Ontario, the provincial government stepped up yesterday in an attempt to level the playing field with other provinces by announcing a provincially funded Business Risk Management Plan across multiple commodities.  While kudos are in order for our provincial government, the onus is now on the federal government to completely level the playing field by contributing the remaining 60% of the funding.  It is my hope that our leaders can take a break from the blithering about coalitions and maybe sneak in some talk about the long term sustainability of Agriculture in our country.

Right now, there are headlines in the press that are talking about the promise that agriculture holds from an economic perspective.  The Globe and Mail business section makes farming seem like a ‘can’t miss’ investing possibility but there is one thing that has not been considered; who is going to farm the land to make all of these profits?  I was chatting with one of my students from the University of Guelph on Monday and she made the comment that it is nice to read about all of the promise in agriculture but she wishes that someone would address the problem of who is going to do the actual work.  Canadian farmers are getting older and young people simply cannot afford the costs that it takes to start farming.

This election is giving future policy makers a chance to address this issue.  If I were running to be the Prime Minister of Canada I would want to be paying attention to the 2^nd largest industry in my country, making sure that it’s engine is humming so that it can continue to be an economic driver.  I would be worried that we are in danger of losing an entire generation of farmers.  I would be worried about how the baby boom is going to affect Agriculture.  The funnel of future farmers is running dangerously low and our current farmers have an awful lot of gray hair (if they have any hair at all).

To Misters Harper, Ignatieff, Layton, Duceppe, and Ms. May, stop ignoring agriculture.  Our country cannot afford an agriculture system that is not firing on all cylinders.  In the next month of campaigning contemplate what this country would look like without farmers.  If you fail to address some of our systemic issues you will be crippling a Canadian economic powerhouse, handcuffing the food supply of future Canadians.  Walk away from rhetoric and inspire voters to actually care by talking about issues that will be affecting Canadians in the long term.

With the federal budget set to be tabled next week our newspapers are filled with debate on whether Canadians will be heading to the polls this spring or not.   I think there is a decent chance an election will be triggered but we live in very uncertain times right now; civil war in Libya, disaster in Japan, and our economy, while recovering is in a precarious state.

If the outcome of next week’s budget release is an election then Agriculture needs to be ready to stand up and speak out to make sure that voters know just how important Agriculture is to the current economic recovery.  Furthermore, we must ensure that future policymakers are aware of issues going on at the farm level. Farm debt levels are soaring and Canadian farmers are still struggling to adjust to the violent swings in price and exchange rates.  It is becoming increasingly difficult for young people to start farming.   Barring some exceptional circumstances, most young farmers are forced to lean on the equity of their parents and are incredibly venerable to prolonged periods of depressed prices as they are so heavily leveraged.  This problem needs to be dealt with as farmers are not immune from the baby boom phenomenon; there needs to be a rapid injection of youth to the industry if we want to have many farmers in the future.

An election is a crucial time for an industry and in the upcoming election food needs to be an issue that is on everyone’s lips.  Agriculture has become a vital piece of the Canadian economy while also having the resource potential to be a shining star in the global Agri-food community.  Agriculture is no longer just a rural issue; food processing has become a stalwart source of middle class manufacturing jobs and the growing global demand for food will lead to more decent paying jobs for our urban cousins.

From a political perspective, it is pretty tough for parties to ignore the voices of rural ridings.  I’m not a political strategist but I think it is a safe bet to say that the major urban centres will be a mix of red and orange, a large part of Quebec will be blue (dark blue that is), and the west will be largely blue (the slightly lighter shade of dark blue).  Given the predictable nature of Canadian politics there are only so many ‘swing’ ridings in an election and it just so happens that this time, a large majority of them are located in a rural area.

To help raise the profile of agriculture I would ask you to consider checking out the Farmers Matter pledge found at http://farmersmatter.ca/petition/

I pledge to lend my support to Farmers Matter and cast my vote for the political party that:

• Understands the integral contribution farm families make to the health and security of all communities across Ontario and Canada
• Understands that farm families are an integral part of the social fabric in all communities across Ontario and Canada
• Pledges to resolve key problems that are currently forcing Canadian agricultural producers out of business
• Understands the leading role agriculture plays in our economy, and that Canada’s future can be secured by ensuring there is a sustainable future for Canada’s agricultural industry

Visit farmersmatter.ca and help make sure that Agriculture is not ignored

The world around us is changing; we are living in a time when we are producing more food then we ever have, yet food prices are hitting all time record highs.  On March 3^rd the Globe and Mail reported that the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Price Index had surpassed the new peak established in 2008. We are currently producing more food then we ever have yet our increases in supply cannot match the rising demand.  Food is a hot commodity right now and it isn’t going to change.  When you consider that our population is projected to grow by another 3 billion people in the next 40 years it is imperative that farmers continue to become more productive and innovative if we hope to reduce the amount of people that go to bed hungry at night.  In the global picture, Canadian farmers can play an integral role in the quest to feed the world because of our extensive resources and well developed food infrastructure.

I say that we “can play”, not “will play” because our agricultural industry is at a crossroads.  Canadian agriculture blossomed into a vibrant industry in the 2^nd half of the 20^th century.  I’m not saying that it was easy; but farming often resulted in a decent middle class lifestyle for hardworking Canadian farmers.  While the past has been positive, the future is unknown; fewer young people are coming home to farm and income levels have stagnated or even fallen.  Farm debt levels have continued to march higher and higher, making farmers more vulnerable to increasingly volatile markets.

The building blocks of a successful industry need to be laid now in order to take advantage of future opportunities.  Farming is not something that happens overnight; you can’t flip a switch and watch potatoes pop out of a machine.  Farmers have proven themselves to be incredibly innovative; eager to adopt new technologies that make them more productive yet we cannot do it alone.

A major source of new knowledge for farmers is publically funded research. As a farmer, I trust public sources of research because I feel that they are less biased then private research.  I use sources from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada with great regularity.  So you can understand why I was greatly alarmed when I came across a story on cbc.ca last week reporting that federally funded research for agriculture was going to be cut by $150 million.

It is baffling to me that when we are sitting on the precipice of change in agriculture and still feeling the effects of a sluggish economy that the government would cut the one aspect that can show clear dividends for the future of their 2^nd largest industry.  Research is what drives productivity; it is what opens up new markets, it fosters innovation.

Now is not the time to hold agriculture hostage with political ideology, it makes more sense to invest millions today that can create billions tomorrow.  Not to mention this is food we are talking about, it goes way beyond money.  There are billions of mouths that need to be fed and research is an integral piece of that puzzle.

Check out http://bit.ly/gvijME to read the article from cbc.ca

Solidarity.

It is a powerful word.  It shakes political leaders, and motivates those who stand behind a party or a cause.

Farmers Matter is a simple organization that presents the voice of the Canadian farmer. We represent farmers honestly, and with dignity.

We have one goal: to ensure that Canadian agriculture can continue to produce a bountiful, safe supply of food; and to advocate for the sustainability of our profession by ensuring farmers make a living wage.

Right now, all farmers must come together in solidarity.

We stand at a critical junction: a federal election is looming, and further cuts to agriculture will be proposed in the March 22 budget.

We must stand in solidarity to ensure the future of agriculture becomes a key election platform during the upcoming election campaigns.

Collectively, we must raise our voices to demand fair and equitable change.

Solidarity.

We are farmers, standing in solidarity. We invest the millions of dollars needed to raise food to feed people across this country and beyond.

We are not highly paid lobbyists who have never stepped foot on a farm. We are not white collar administrators working in office buildings writing agricultural policies, who have never personally invested one cent in agriculture.

As farmers, we need to speak together in one voice, to be heard loud and clear. We want a seat at the decision-making table to share our ideas with those drafting the policies that will shape our future.

We are not looking for handouts, or a free ride. We simply want policies that will protect our investments; not erode the equity of our homes and businesses, forcing us into foreclosure.

We want the opportunity to do what we do best… farm the land, grow the food.

We want to protect the sustainability of agriculture, so that our sons and daughters can continue in our footsteps when we are gone.

If ever there was a time that farmers need to raise their collective voices and stand together it is now.

Thanks to you and our corporate sponsors, Farmers Matter launched our initiative last November, and began an honest dialogue with politicians and industry leaders that gave farmers a voice.

Industry leaders were not comfortable with this. They are not used to being part of an event where they have no control, and they do not set the agenda.

Following our town hall meeting in Stratford, you spoke and we listened.

Farmers Matter continued to work on ways to ensure your voice is heard; that change comes.

We don’t have a big budget and lobbyists on our payroll. We have passionate people who really believe in the importance of farming, and have the expertise to tell our story.

And we have the power of solidarity with you, fellow farmers.

NOW is the time to stand strong – together, not divided – to make the case for a stronger industry. We must take this opportunity to convince leaders that Canadian agriculture is a pillar industry of this nation – vital to everyone who eats – and that they cannot disrespect farm families who are making deep personal sacrifices to feed this nation.

Here is what you can do to make our solidarity powerful:

Right now, sign our pledge to vote for the political party that best supports Canadian agriculture.  You can do so by clicking here, or clicking on the Your Vote Counts tab at www.farmersmatter.ca.

Then urge 5 friends to do the same.

In solidarity, we can use our votes to make a change in 2011!

Two weeks ago Farmers Matter let Canadians know that it is our goal to make agriculture an issue in the upcoming provincial and potential federal elections this year.  For years, agriculture has been pushed to the backburner but in today’s political climate; it cannot be ignored.  No longer just a rural issue; Canadians everywhere are concerned with the state of agriculture in Canada.  In the fall, as part of their “Canada: Our Time To Lead.” Series; The Globe and Mail chose Food as one of their 8 topics.  Since that series, agriculture has been on everyone’s lips.  When I visit my friends in the GTA they are engaged, they know the issues and there is general consciousness that we need to think about the future of agriculture in Canada.  In less then 40 years our world will have to figure out how to feed 9 billion people and Canadian agriculture will need to play an integral role if we are to accomplish this feat.

We cannot afford to overlook agriculture any longer, recently papers have been filled with stories of civil unrest in emerging nations; first Tunisia, then Egypt, now Bahrain, Yemen, Libya, Iraq, and Jordan.  Food prices are nearing an all time high for the second time in 3 years and our history shows that hunger can quickly dictate change.

Farmers and industry partners…government and consumers, we must all work together to develop a strategy that will foster growth and sustainability for Canadian agriculture.  Farmers across Canada are about to embark on a tumultuous journey as we attempt to feed Canadians along with our global neighbours and we need the support our urban cousins and government to reach our highest potential.

A prosperous agriculture industry has wide ranging benefits.  A strong food processing industry creates sustainable jobs in urban centres.  The small businesses that supply farmers in rural Canada are able to expand, offering opportunities that keep youth in small towns.  Agriculture can be the heart of a reinvented Canadian economy; we have the chance to re-establish ourselves of a global leader when it comes to feeding people.

The following post was written by Ursina Studhalter; a student at the University of Guelph studying Agriculture Business.  She and her family have a diverse farm, raising pigs and milking dairy goats.

Everything comes second to the farm.  Without it, I’d feel lost.  I know the instant I’ve crossed into my home territory.  The road opens up, large barns begin to appear and fields span the horizon.  That’s when I know I’m at home.  It does not have to be Huron County, I could be driving along Rue 116 in Quebec.  I’m at home at any kitchen table where the talk revolves around this coming spring’s planting and the new tractor the neighbour just bought.  I’m at home standing between rows of content cows, the fresh smell of hay in the air.

I was born into the farming community and that’s where I plan on dying.  The community holds my family and my friends, all honest, hardworking people that stand tall no matter what comes their way.  I don’t know how to hold a conversation that does not eventually wander over to the farm.  My radio is always tuned to a country station.  I own more jeans than dresses and more work boots than high heels.  I’m better at doing toplines than doing my own hair.  I don’t know how to work a 9 to 5 job.  It is strange to say I miss waking up early in the morning to milk.

Now I wonder why I still get asked what career I want once I graduate.  I don’t want a career, I want to go back to life I was born into, raised up in and love.  I realise I could go farther, probably make more money and see more if I turn my back on my heritage.  But I can’t do that, I’d would never be truly happy.  All I want to is go home, live with what I have and watch the sun sink below the horizon behind the barn.  Money doesn’t buy happiness, it just makes living easier.  I’m proud of who I am and where I come from.

It’s not a career if you love what you do.  It’s your lifestyle.”

Ursina Studhalter

When I started blogging in August of 2010 I had no idea what it meant to be a blogger nor did I have any idea what I was getting myself into.  Fast forward to February 1^st, 2011 and I’m about to embark on my 2^nd “I don’t know what I’m getting myself into” project.  During the month of November I wrote a few posts for Farmers Matter, an organization that I helped to create that promotes agriculture by putting a face on the farmer.  Well, starting today I’m going to start blogging for Farmers Matter on a regular basis because…well… Farmers Matter themselves is about to embark on a “We don’t know what we’re getting ourselves into” adventure.

Farmers Matter was originally formed to host a town hall with the goal of raising awareness to some hurdles facing farmers here in Ontario.  We hoped that we would engage local producers and industry partners by getting everyone in a room to work on some constructive solutions for the future of Canadian agriculture.  We never dreamed that we would get federal and provincial politicians as well as farm organization leaders to sit down and have a frank and honest discussion with farmers about the issues that grassroots producers deal with every day.  Over 900 people who depend on agriculture for their livelihood came out on November 26^th to an event in hopes that this wasn’t just another meeting…and it wasn’t.  We heard the messages loud and clear that day; farmers do have problems, but damn it we are going to put our head down, work hard, and if we are treated fairly we are going to thrive.  The success of our town hall demonstrated to the people behind Farmers Matter that we still have a role to play.

So what is the adventure that I alluded to above?  It’s pretty simple actually; we are going to out and keep telling the story of the farmer in hopes that we can raise the profile of Canadian agriculture.  You’d think that when a country’s 2^nd largest industry is in trouble politicians would take notice but to date it hasn’t happened.  Many farmers feel like Canadians don’t really care where their food comes from but we at Farmers Matter don’t believe that.  We believe that if Canadian consumers could easily identify Canadian grown products then they would buy them.  We believe that Canadian farmers deserve equitable treatment from coast to coast.  We believe that if we had the right tools at our disposal then we can continue to be competitive in the global food market.  Lastly, we believe that if we work now to create a more sustainable industry then we can finally convince young people that farming is more then just an expensive lifestyle, it is a viable career.

Over the next few months Farmers Matter will be rolling out a campaign that will raise the profile of Canadian agriculture and I’m stoked to be a part of it.  I know it won’t be easy and I know that there are plenty of cynics out there who just think I’m young and naïve, but to be honest I don’t really care what the cynics say.  I believe in the promise of Canadian agriculture with an unadulterated optimism, the same optimism my ancestors had in 1859 when they started a new life farming outside of Mitchell, Ontario.  Farmers do matter and it’s high time we started telling people why.

Something is happening…Stay tuned