38 JULY/AUGUST 2024 THE RIDER


OFA Revive Fund supports local agricultural projects


By Bill Groenheide, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Three years ago, many farm-


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ing and rural communities were struggling under the ongoing im- pacts of the pandemic. This prompted the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA),


the


province’s largest organization representing farmers, to launch its Revive Fund. Through this


initiative,


OFA’s 51 county and regional federations were able to apply for matching funding to help plan, develop and launch new projects and initiatives in support of agri- culture and their local communi- ties.


The success of the Revive


Fund has been tremendous, with approximately $975,000 invested into the program by the OFA, its county and regional federations and other partners over the past four years – and it’s still going strong. Over the years, Revive Fund


projects have been great catalysts of public engagement, as well as ways to strengthen connections between OFA members and their communities in helping to raise awareness and support for the agriculture sector. This year alone, the OFA ap-


proved applications for 34 proj- ects including CPR and First Aid training, mental health work- shops, 911 sign campaigns for va- cant farmland, slow moving vehicle signage and road safety campaigns, member appreciation


breakfasts and lunches, and a wide range of training workshops for local farmers. My wife and I farm near


Thunder Bay together with our sons and their spouses, raising beef and chicken and growing a diverse selection of crops. I also represent farmers from across northern Ontario on the OFA’s provincial board, and I’m proud that one of this year’s more un- usual Revive Fund projects was hosted by our local federation of agriculture in Thunder Bay. It was an evening learning


event for local farmers called Farming: Thriving Behind the Scene that attracted more than 50 participants. The program cov- ered a lot of topics that are impor- tant


to farmers and farm


businesses but that we don’t often have a chance to easily learn more about. Often, for example, farmers


are encouraged to “tell their story”, but we often feel that we don’t know how to go about that. Not all of us are natural story tellers or at ease striking up a con- versation whether in person or online, and yet we all know how important the human connection is between those who farm and those who eat. That’s why we invited


speakers from the Thunder Bay Community Economic Develop- ment Commission to give a pres- entation on social media marketing and how to use these channels to communicate with


consumers – a topic particularly important in a region as vast as northern Ontario. Funding and finances al-


ways present challenges for farm groups and businesses, and story- telling is also a key part of being successful at applying for grant funding. A presenter from the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre discussed finding and choosing grant programs and pro- posal writing techniques that will help funding applications be more successful. Also on the financial side, a


representative from Scotiabank highlighted farm financial plan- ning options and services. As rewarding as farming can


be, it’s also not without its stresses, and statistics show that farm families, their employees and their families often struggle more than most with mental health. Increasingly, there are re- sources out there to help farmer mental wellness, and a local para- medic from Superior North Emergency Medical Services led the group through a review of both mental health challenges and supports from an agricultural per- spective. Throughout this summer and


fall, more Revive Fund projects will be rolling out in communities across Ontario. More information about the Revive Fund initiative and the many successful projects that have already been completed are available at ofa.on.ca.


Shout It Out!


Is your business celebrating a significant Anniversary?


Are you starting a new business?


If you have something to Shout About contact us and we can help get the word out!


Are you expanding your business? Are you moving? Rebranding? Introducing a new product?


Call (905) 387-1900, barry@therider.com


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