Canada's largest farm organization grows again

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2002

(OTTAWA) - The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has added new voices to the over 200,000 Canadian farmers and farm families it represents. The Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) and the Young Farmers of Canada (YFC) have taken seats at CFA's table as Associate Members.

"With the challenges that farmers from all commodity sectors face today, it is more important than ever that we speak with one voice," said CFA President Bob Friesen. "I am proud to add the voices of Canadian horticultural producers and young Canadian producers to our own."

"We look forward to working together in issues of mutual interest," said Ken Forth, CHC President. Members of the CHC include provincial and national horticultural commodity organizations representing more than 20,000 producers in Canada. These producers and groups are primarily involved in the production and packing of over 120 horticulture crops comprised of fruit, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants.

"It is a pleasure and an honour to join the large family of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. Since it was launched in 1997, the Canadian Young Farmers' Forum has sought to bring young farmers together in order to give them a unique voice and a special opportunity to demonstrate their leadership," said Serge Lapointe, the Chair of the Canadian Young Farmers' Forum. "By participating in the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, young farmers can certainly express their concerns, while actively participating in the organization's various bodies. The Forum plans to work in close collaboration with all of the Federation's members, in order to increase the federal government's awareness of issues associated with farm establishment and farm succession. In addition, our participation will help us achieve our objective of establishing groups of young farmers in every province throughout Canada."

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Founded in 1935 to provide Canada's farmers with a single voice in Ottawa, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture is the country's largest farmers' organization. Its members include provincial general farm organizations as well as national and inter-provincial commodity organizations from every province. Through its members, CFA represents over 200,000 Canadian farmers and farm families.

Contact:

Kieran Green, CFA Communications Coordinator, (613) 236-3633, info@cfafca.ca

Bob Friesen, CFA President, (204) 724-0824 (cell)

Brigid Rivoire, CFA Executive Director, (613) 236-3633 / (613) 715-3113 (cell)