From the CEO’s desk – March 2026

Farmers’ resilience is being tested. Members need trust, leadership, and security beyond the protective shield that they normally keep over their families and their farms.

Each year, Grain Farmers of Ontario holds district meetings in January to take the pulse of our farmer-members. We need to know what’s on your mind. Are your priorities changing?

And in particular, with the current, volatile environment we’re facing, how can we help you achieve your goals?

This year, we heard a message loud and clear, over all the others: Farmers’ resilience is being tested. Our members need trust, leadership, and security beyond the protective shield that they normally keep over their families and their farms.

And that’s where the Grain Farmers of Ontario team needs to shine.

With global turbulence, shifting markets, rising input costs and other uncertainties facing agriculture, security comes in knowing there’s a team behind members that they can trust and has their backs.

For example, we are working to help expand existing markets and develop new markets for the grain you produce. You’ll see instances of that later in this issue of Ontario Grain Farmer, in stories about trade missions to Asia and increased trade activity with other countries.

Rest assured that Grain Farmers of Ontario is at the table representing you when policies are being developed locally, provincially, and nationally that affect grain production.

We are advocating for modern research-based production approaches that support profitability, sustainability, and food affordability.

Security also comes in knowing measures are in place in the face of unpredictability. At district meetings, we heard members say that with safeguards in place, such as production insurance, they feel more confident heading into a new crop year. Challenges caused by weather extremes, and fluctuating or low prices are more manageable with supports already in place, instead of having to be pursued and negotiated under duress.

We also heard that there’s still room for improvement. We agree, and we support producer priorities. We know the Risk Management Program is still underfunded and needs additional federal support, and we continue to work with other leaders and meet with federal officials to drive this point home.

With the tenuous trade environment we’re facing and the variability we saw in grain yields across the province last year caused by weather extremes, farmers should not have to shoulder risk for situations that are out of their control.

We’re proud of our members’ level of engagement. We saw 150 delegates elected at district meetings this year. I’m looking forward to continuing to see a strong member presence at the annual March Classic, being held in Niagara Falls on March 24. I hope you’ll attend. It’s a great opportunity to hear how leaders from various walks of life approach trust and change, and how they respond when resiliency in their lives is under fire. •