Spoelstra to lead Ontario Federation of Agriculture for second term [Video]

Drew Spoelstra was re-elected to a second one-year term as president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture at its annual general meeting Nov. 27.

A new era of trade policy

Canada’s agriculture sector will have to work much harder at persuading Americans that tariff-free trade with its northern neighbour is in their best interests. That was the consensus of panelists speaking during a Nov. 27 discussion hosted by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.

“It’s been an extremely busy year,” said Spoelstra. “We got a lot done. We’ve got a lot to do going forward. I’m excited to get started at it again.”

Why it matters: The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is the province’s largest farm organization.

Spoelstra has represented Halton, Hamilton/Wentworth producers as an OFA director since 2013 before becoming vice-president and then elected to lead the organization last year.

He said the OFA has worked closely with the energy ministry, supporting implementation of agriculture impact assessments for …