Join us for the NFU-O AGM and Convention: “Finite: Land Access, Use and Ownership”

Mark your calendars! The 2023 NFU-O Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Convention will be held on Thursday, March 23 and Friday, March 24 over Zoom. This year’s theme is “Finite: Land Access, Use, and Ownership”.

Ontario’s farmland is a finite resource under constant threat, with the loss measured at 319 acres per day in our province, according to the 2021 Census of Agriculture. Instead of showing itself as a champion of farmers and farmland protection, the Ontario government, through Bill 23 and the proposed carving up of the Greenbelt, is not just condoning land- grabbing, they are accelerating farmland loss, speculation, and ecosystem destruction for the benefit of corporate interests and at the expense of all Ontarians.

It’s vital that we protect our remaining farmland so that Ontario has a strong, viable and sustainable supply of food products grown, harvested, and processed right here at home. The NFU-O is proud to be the voice at the table for farmers in the fight for farmland and environmental protections.

At the NFU-O’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) we will explore how we can protect farmland and develop vibrant, affordable communities. Panels will unpack hot-button issues, such as the urgent need for the Ontario government to present, debate, and pass legislation to prevent the purchase of agricultural lands by private investment funds and pension plans and the power of citizen activism to fight back against urban sprawl and irresponsible development. We’ll delve into alternative models for accessing farmland, in a time where the barriers to land access for new and young farmers are steeper than ever, and propose a future with smart, liveable (and feedable!) density growth targets and permanently protected agricultural land and natural heritage features.

Our keynote address will detail the rich history of community land trusts and the specifics of the foundational work happening in Toronto’s Little Jamaica neighbourhood to collectively address affordable housing, food insecurity and economic development, through a historic community land trust project.

In the interest of accessibility, the 2023 NFU-O AGM and Convention will be hosted virtually; however, we’ll be offering a series of regional in-person gatherings on the evening of Thursday, March 24, for all those hoping to connect with their fellow NFU-O members.

To find the regional gathering closest to you, please visit: https://nfuontario.ca/event/region-3- convention-nfu-o-agm/

As always, our AGM agenda will also consist of reports from the NFU- O Board, elections, and debates on policy resolutions.

For more information or to book tickets, visit: https://www. eventbrite.ca/e/2023- region-3-convention- nfu-o-agm-tickets-529707648837.

Click here to view the PDF version.

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