Last week the federal government released farm income forecasts by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Ontario farmers, rural residents and all Ontario consumers should be very concerned with what is happening on our farms and to the sustainability of our local food supply.

The data paints a grim picture for Canadian farmers and Ontario family farms in particular. The 2009 total net income for Ontario farms was a loss of 330 million dollars. The forecast for 2010 shows a loss of a further half billion dollars.

This will seriously impact our future food supply.

The Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition (OASC) has been telling our governments that Ontario farming is in crisis and at a crossroads. Our governments can no longer ignore this message - they need to act now to sustain Ontario family farms and our local food system. Our coalition of livestock, horticulture and grain farmers has developed practical and bankable programs to address the short-term needs and long-term sustainability of our farms. These programs need to be implemented now.

Stabilizing our family farms will strengthen our rural economy, continue to provide over 700,000 rural and urban jobs in the agrifood sector and secure our local food production and distribution systems for generations to come.

It is important for all Ontarians to get involved and call their MP to urge the federal government to demonstrate the leadership needed to preserve our food system in Ontario. Tell your MP to support better risk management programs for our family farms.

Our food is worth the call.

Bette Jean Crews,

President Ontario Federation of

Agriculture