Canada’s farmers are being urged to make closer connections with the country’s non-farming consumers, in both the real world and cyberspace, as Canada’s Agriculture Day nears.
Spearheaded by the year-round industry-backed initiative Agriculture More Than Ever, Canada’s Agriculture Day is set this year for Tuesday (Feb. 13).
“It’s a time to showcase all of the amazing things happening in Canadian agriculture and help consumers see the connection to where their food comes from and the people who produce it,” Candace Hill, manager of Agriculture More Than Ever, said in a recent release.
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The organization, which launched the event last year, has produced materials such as graphics, logos, sample tweets and other items for farmers to share via social media “conversations” online, and has also connected the day to a series of events across the country. Attaching hashtags such as #CdnAgDay and #FarmLife to farm and food photos on social media is also encouraged.
“Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector contributes over $110 billion to our economy and Canada’s Agriculture Day is an excellent opportunity to take stock of our success and celebrate,” federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay said in the same release.
The day’s marquee event, in Ottawa, is scheduled to include speakers “geared to building a better understanding and appreciation of the industry, as well as inspiring young people to consider the career opportunities in agriculture and agri-food.”
Among the speakers and panelists on deck for the Ottawa event are MacAulay, Quirks and Quarks host Bob McDonald, Save-On Foods president Darrell Jones, Richardson International CEO Curt Vossen, AGT CEO Murad Al-Katib, Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Ron Bonnett and Farm Credit Canada CEO Michael Hoffort.
MacAulay on Tuesday afternoon is also scheduled to formally launch federal programs and activities under the Canadian Agriculture Partnership, the federal/provincial successor to the current Growing Forward 2 ag policy funding framework.
Crystal Mackay, president of the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, noted in the same release that Canadians in a recent survey consider farmers among the most credible sources of information when making informed decisions about food.
“Farmers and the entire food system have a great story to tell which helps earn consumer trust and confidence in food,” Mackay said. “Consumers want to know
more, and Canada’s Agriculture Day is a great way to start the conversation in person and on social media.” — AGCanada.com Network
