Chair's Report

In the early spring of this year, a number of farmers began speaking about the need for working together, mainly due to the poor year in pricing that had taken place. But, more than that, we thought a number of issues could be addressed by having an organization that worked together with both farmers and the industry, including the packer/grower/shipper community.
 
That is why I am very happy to be giving this first Chair’s Report at the first Annual General Meeting of the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association. From the idea that an association would be of assistance to our fellow farmers to the reality of that concept, it took months and suddenly, in July, the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association was begun.
 
I would like to take a moment to thank the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation for stepping forward and contributing funds to help this organization begin. They have provided funding for a marketing and communication program that is already well established and advanced, but they have also provided funding for a staff person to help our association become established.
 
The Holland Marsh Growers’ Association is registered as a not-for-profit entity within the Ministry of Consumer Affairs because we wanted our membership to know we are accountable to them, transparent in our actions, and responsive to their needs. We wanted to make sure that our members had the assurance that everything being done was above board. We had the option to put the organization under the Agricultural Organizations Act but that didn’t provide the board with the credible assurance we wanted for our members.
 
There is information for those in attendance of what the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association has done over the past four months – so I won’t go into any great detail about that except to say that our logo, our brand logo, is complete and, judging by our efforts at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in mid-November, it is an overwhelming success. Consumers were generally thrilled at what we are doing – and that, in the end, is who we are trying to reach. But, it should be noted when looking at the list of items completed or in the works, that our organization is more than a communication and branding: we are a completely engaged organization, working with governments, retailers, and consumers on issues ranging from drainage and energy to capacity, production, and chemical usage.
 
As an association, we are working with the townships and councils on a variety of issues that impact farmers. We are working with provincial organizations on responses to labour concerns; we are acting on behalf of farmers dealing with provincial legislation, including the Lake Simcoe Protection Act; we are dealing with federal issues that impact our region; and we will continue to be very active on issues that you, our membership, have concerns about. An organization must provide value for all involved – and that is the premise of what we do.
 
I am proud to work with our Board of Directors, a very diverse group of farmers who are dedicated to improving conditions for everyone in the Holland Marsh and area. We are building this new organization from the ground-up and these individuals have been key into establishing our role amongst the other agricultural groups. Herman Gasko, Paul Smith, Doug Weening, Roman Dyriw, Joe Srebot, Dan Sopuch, Bill Scotch, and Doug Van Luyk. They have already been introduced, but you should know who these individuals are – and why they are doing what they are doing. They desire a great deal of credit because, through their efforts, we are being recognized as an organization with both a vision to make a difference and an agenda that is farmer-based, farmer-driven, and farmer-led.
 
No one individual benefits from our actions – everyone will.
 
For too long, we stood out as individuals but have met with limited success. Together, working side by side with the realization that our competition is thousands of miles away, we are forging a new destiny – one that we think will benefit all farmers in our area. If the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association continues, like we are doing, then I forecast bigger and better things for our membership down the road.
 
Our membership is voluntary. We will not force you to participate nor join. We think it is in your best interest to be active, especially as we look at the new opportunities and challenges that face our industry in the coming years – but we are not in a position to force you to be a part of this.
 
That being said, we welcome your comments today – and in the future, regardless of whether you are a member or not. This is about community, our farming community, and the business of farming. It’s what we all do best – and now, we are all pulling together for the benefit of us all.
 
Thank you and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask myself or your board.
 
Alex Makarenko, Chair
Holland Marsh Growers' Association
[Contact Alex]