Policy is keeping regional farmers down and limiting their potential, a new study suggests.
Northwestern Ontario had almost 600 farms in 2011, generating more than $51 million in total gross receipts. Yet the average farm in the Thunder Bay district only made around $30,000. The average farm in the Kenora district actually posts a $4,600 loss. This is all in a regional industry that has a 1.7 workforce multiplier, proof that there is plenty of room for growth in Northwestern Ontario farming.
The study, called the Workforce Multiplier Effect Study of Local Farms and Food Processors in Northwestern Ontario, was conducted by Lakehead University students. They presented it to the North Superior Workforce Planning Board Tuesday. Student Madeline Kennedy said regional farmers face a number of problems with convoluted regulations that make a farmer in Dryden have to haul cattle to Thunder Bay before bringing it to an auction in Manitoba, or an expensive inspection process that makes it nearly impossible to sell products to corporations that set up shop in any given town.
“It limits where they can distribute,” she said. “It’s quite an expensive process.
The industry provides more than 1,600 jobs in the region but could create many more if farmers could afford to hire more people. She said she was surprised to find out that most farmers in the region make little to no money.
“I had no idea how little they were making because they work a lot harder than other people probably do,” she said.
Workforce planning board member Frank Pullia said the study is proof that the agricultural industry is not only good for the local food supply but also the economy. Now it’s up to the board, and the forthcoming Northern Policy Institute, to recommend policies that help instead of hurt smaller farmers. As it stands, regulations favour major farming operations over independent ones he said.
“The local suppliers, the small farmers are suffering because of the restrictive policy,” he said. “We have to join forces (with other agencies) if we want to fight the higher level bureaucratic machinery and look after our region.”
The full report will be available in December.
