WFA Announcements
WFA AGM and OFA Regional Meeting is at The Grandway this year on Oct 28! Tickets are $20 each and feature a plated Pork Tenderloin dinner.
Guest Speaker is Tim May aka 'Farmer Tim'!
For tickets email Katherine Noble at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Oct 14--we now accept etransfer!
Dinner is at 7, meeting portion starts at 8.
Do you want to make rewarding contributions to the future of our agricultural industry-both locally and provincially?
The Wellington Federation of Agriculture (WFA) is a local, general farm organization with over 1500 members, affiliated with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and dedicated to uniting the farming community through grassroots leadership and cooperation
We are currently seeking an individual to provide administrative services to our board on a part-time basis, working from home. (average 15 hours/week)
The WFA Administrator reports to the WFA President and Board of Directors and will provide administrative services for the Federation, assisting the County Federation Board of Directors in achieving its mandate:
- To improve the welfare of the individual farmer and the farming industry
- To bring the viewpoints, concerns and recommendations of the membership to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) for policy development and action and to interpret OFA policy so developed to all members of the WFA
- To effectively and promptly communicate core agricultural information to the farming community
- To accurately present Wellington County agriculture to the community at large
- To work in collaboration with the OFA
Provides a key link between Board, members, and community; and will endeavour to build and maintain exceptional service-driven relationships and effectively resolve member concerns, plan events and manage internal and external communications.
Key Position Responsibilities and Duties:
- Follows all County Federation policies/procedures, Health and Safety
- Have a reliable vehicle, Driver’s License and insurance.
- Work closely with local OFA Member Service Representative and WFA Board Directors
Financial:
- Prepare monthly financial statements, circulate bank statements to Board
- Support the annual financial review in preparations of annual financial statement
- Pay accounts following Board approval of expenditures and co-signing of cheques
- Prepare Annual Reports for Annual Meeting
- Calculate Per Diems for Directors
Administration:
- Support the individual County President and decisions made by the Board
- Arrange and attend all meetings (in person or virtual), provide refreshments if required
- Prepare agendas in cooperation with President
- Take minutes and distribute to Board
- Follow-up directives by the Board and support committees
- Create letters on behalf of the President or County Federation, and mail or email after Board approval
- Research information in advance of meetings
- Review correspondence and forward to President and Directors
- Maintain files of information and post to ‘slack’
- Maintains and manages website, social media accounts
- Refer to WFA Constitution, policies, and bylaws and Roberts Rules of Order
- Maintain files, general information; historical information
- Planning and executing of planned events
- Coordinate Annual General Meeting
Education:
- Completion of a minimum two years post-secondary, Diploma from an accredited educational institution or equivalent experience preferred in agricultural industry.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Above average computer skills, Microsoft Office familiarity, electronic filing of information and photos
- Ability to manage a home office
- Strong background within the agricultural industry and the passion and energy to help it flourish
- Experience working with Boards of Directors/Not for Profits
- Demonstrates experience in creation of flyers, posters, and newsletters, event planning
Requirements:
- Strong language and communication skills, written and verbal
- Strong planning and organizational skills
- Attention to detail and deadlines
- Available to attend evening meetings and occasional weekend events
- Self-disciplined and motivated to work alone from home
- Ability to multitask and pivot
Working Conditions:
- Works in a home office environment as well as out in the field as required
- Will be required to work flexible hours (evening and weekend) to attend meetings or events and functions
- May deal with conflict and member relations issues causing stress at times
- Spends a frequent amount of time driving to events, meetings and member venues
- Travel required
- Possesses a reliable vehicle and Ontario Driver’s License + insurance
Please forward resumes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 5 pm July 22nd, 2022
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
WFA is hosting an Ag Debate for the riding of Wellington Halton Hills
Available on Facebook live and recorded, and on recorded on youtube.
Participate live via zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85823422101?pwd=RC9VRGczaU85M1lnMnh4TUplRXRmUT09
September 9 at 7:30. Visit our events page for links/phone in number
Deadline Sept 1.
Must be in an ag related post secondary program
Resident of Wellington County
Not a previous award recipient
complete application and 500 word essay
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details.
Farm & Food Care Ontario is pleased to have assisted the Wellington Federation of Agriculture in the recent development of a set of five signs to be put up on walking trails in the area including the Guelph to Goderich (G2G) trail. Trail associations will be able to order the set of five signs, including mounting posts, at a cost subsidized by the WFA.
The project updates a 2006 initiative by FFCO's predecessor group, AGCare with funding from the Greenbelt Foundation and many conservation partners which saw a series of interpretive signs go up along hiking trails across the Greenbelt. Many of those signs are still in place.
The new signs explain different aspects of farming and feature profiles on Wellington County farmers including the Israel family (pigs), the Schill family (sheep) and the Harrop family (dairy). The signs also explain types of crops grown on farms in the area and explain things that people might see when they're driving in the area – like Environmental Farm Plan signs or the Wellington County Rural Water Quality Program.
The set of 5 signs is available from WFA at a subsidized cost, and includes posts.
OFA's Proud to Lead program and Farm Credit Canada assisted the WFA with funding for this project. Farm & Food Care donated it's time to lead the design work.
Link is constantly updating. For the latest resources click here https://ofa.on.ca/covid-19/
Looking to start a new business? Looking for help with an existing business? There are available resources in Wellington County to help you out. Two local organizations, Wellington Waterloo Community Futures https://www.wwcf.ca/ and Saugeen Economic Development Corporation https://sbdc.ca/ offer similar resources and are there to help. Loans are available in addition to other resources
Did you know that Wellington County residents are now able to use a ridesharing service? This service is available to all Wellington County residents, even in the rural areas, and you are picked up at your door!
Info here https://www.wellington.ca/en/business/ed-ridewell.aspx
On February 24th, WFA Past President Gord Flewwelling presented a $750 cheque to the Norwell District Secondary School LEAF (Local Environment Agriculture & Food) Program. This is a Specialist High Skills Major Course at Norwell. To find out more about the LEAF program https://www.ugdsb.ca/norwell/specialty-programs-2/leaf/
Friday October 26, 2018
Speaker: Keith Currie - Looking Forward
Keith Currie, a Collingwood-area hay and sweet corn farmer, was acclaimed as President of the OFA at the 2017 Annual General Meeting, returning for his second year in the position. Keith was the organization’s Vice President from 2013-2016. His 25+ years of experience with the OFA began with the Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture, where he held numerous positions including President from 2004-2006.
Keith is a graduate of Ridgetown College with a diploma in Agriculture Production Management. After college Keith returned home to manage an eighth-generation dairy and cash crop farm in Simcoe County with his wife Janice and four children. The dairy herd was dispersed in 2003 and the operation now focuses on production of grains and oilseed, forages for dry hay, along with sweet corn and gladiolus flower production.
Keith served on the Expert Advisory Panel for the Coordinated Land Use Planning Review chaired by former Mayor of Toronto, David Crombie in 2015. Keith was a respected voice speaking out for agriculture in this role.
Keith continues to garner the respect of policy-makers as he looks forward to challenges and opportunities that lay ahead for our industry.
The Wellington Federation of Agriculture’s Annual meeting:
Friday, October 26, 2018
6:30: Social and 7:00: Banquet
Location: Fergus Legion Branch 275
500 Blair Street, Fergus
(just off St. Andrews W.)
Tickets: $15 each ($10 students)
Your choice of a chicken or roast beef dinner catered by Helen McFadzean, plus insights into farm politics, and a little federation business for just $15!
Don’t wait. Call and order tickets now!
Call 519-848-3774 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Are you an OFA member in Wellington County? Would you like to help advance our industry in Wellington County and beyond? We are looking for new Directors to join our dynamic team. For more information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
