ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER INDUSTRY NEWS 20 That same month, at the District 5 (Elgin, Norfolk) January District meeting, Scott Persall was elected director, a position he would hold for the next 12 years. At District 5’s meeting on January 7, 2025, Persall stepped down from the role after six consecutive 2-year terms, the term limit for Grain Farmers of Ontario directors. EARLY DAYS OF GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO Persall’s election filled the role left vacant by Jeff Davis, who had served the District as director following the formation of Grain Farmers of Ontario in 2010 when the Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board, Ontario Corn Producers’ Association, and Ontario Soybean Growers amalgamated. Persall’s start in agricultural politics began with the Corn Producers, having served as a director in 2008-09 before the amalgamation. “I was in favour of the amalgamation,” says Persall. “Most farmers grew one or more than one of the crops, or even all three. It was a good fit to have one organization represent all three crops.” Persall’s Grain Farmers of Ontario resume is a long one; in addition to sitting on the executive committee for six years, he’s been a member of the Government Relations, Finance and Audit, Market Development, Grain Issues, Resolutions, Communications, and Legacy Fund committees, and has represented the organization on external committees and boards including the Ontario Soybean and Canola Committee, the Bee Health Task Force, Soy Canada, and the American Soybean Association, among others. He has also represented Grain Farmers of Ontario on trade missions to Asia. “Scott’s contributions to Grain Farmers of Ontario are nothing short of impressive,” says Crosby Devitt, Grain Farmers of Ontario CEO. “He could always be counted on to step up and represent Ontario’s grain and oilseed farmers to get results for the industry.” Persall's experience as a member of the Advanced Agriculture Leadership Program (AALP) Class 18 stands out. “I started about six months before Covid,” he says. “We had to pivot to more online learning, which made it more challenging. I think probably our Class 18 is always going to be known as the ‘Covid class.’” When asked about the biggest challenges— and successes—that the Grain Farmers of Ontario Board has dealt with over his 12-year term, Persall points to the Neonicotinoid issue as one of the big ones but says that Ontario Grain Farmer Leadership legacy Scott Persall completes 12 years on the Board In January 2013, the Baltimore Ravens beat the New England Patriots to win the AFC championship before going on to win the Super Bowl; the NHL ended a 113-day lockout and returned to regular season play; and Kathleen Wynne won the Ontario Liberal Party leadership race, becoming the first woman to lead the province as premier. “in addition to sitting on the executive committee for six years, he’s been a member of the Government Relations, Finance and Audit, Market Development, Grain Issues, Resolutions, Communications, and Legacy Fund committees.
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