News
Group promoting agriculture in northern and rural Ontario
Feb. 12, 2016, Ontario – A new group has formed to celebrate the innovation and contribution provided by the agriculture and forestry sectors to the economy of northern and rural Ontario.
The group, Growing Ontario, will increase awareness of the important contributions of forestry and agriculture to the entire province, according to a press release. "By highlighting the history of responsible environmental stewardship, commitment to local municipalities and dedication to innovative solutions that provide sustainable prosperity, Growing Ontario will demonstrate the relevance these sectors have in the lives of Ontarians," the release says.
While farmers and foresters are providing sustainable management of our key natural resources, Growing Ontario will become the voice of their concerns and their achievements. The group will honour the best of these industries, raising awareness for the difficulties they face as well as showcasing the true impact they have on the province.
Initiated by the Grain Farmers of Ontario, the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and stakeholders from the forestry sector, Growing Ontario brings together voices that represent the interests of 28,000 grain farmers, 50,000 forestry workers and over 120 municipalities that rely on thriving resource sectors to survive. It is further supported by the Rural Ontario Municipal Association, the which represents the interests of rural and northern municipalities.
“Forestry and agriculture represent approximately $30 billion dollars in economic activity in the Province of Ontario and the are foundation of local economies in many community across our province. Foresters and farmers built our province and continue to contribute to it’s success today, and for that reason we felt it was important to work together with these economic sectors to highlight that contribution,” said Al Spacek, president of FONOM and the mayor of Kapuskasing, in the press release.
“In many respects, forestry and agriculture face many of the same pressures and will benefit from working together to raise awareness of our work so that Ontarians have a better understanding of what is actually going on in our forests and fields,” said Mark Brock, chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario, in the release.
February 12, 2016 By Top Crop Manager
