Modern windmills — a source of alternative energy and controversy. Lyndsey Smith, 2014
The agriculture and food industry lives and breathes in rural Ontario. While farmers have their eyes sharply focused on the needs of their business, they’re also concerned about the Ontario government’s vision for small town economies and the services farmers and rural people require.
In this Ontario Election 2014 podcast, RealAgriculture.com’s Bernard Tobin speaks with Norman Ragetlie, director of policy and stakeholder engagement with the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI). Many people in agriculture know ROI for their role in delivering the highly successful Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program. But the organization also plays a strong role in working with stakeholders across rural Ontario to ensure rural concerns are heard in the corridors of power.
In this interview, Ragetlie shares the results of a recent election issues survey and discusses the key issues – from the health of the rural economy to health care services, rural unemployment, the cost of electrical power and more. Ragetlie also shares a list of important questions rural Ontarians need to be asking their candidates as the June 12 election draws near.
Hear more election discussion featuring: the Grain Farmers of Ontario talking about the RMP cap, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture discussing food literacy; and the Ontario Association of Food Processors making the case for affordable energy and the economic value of food and farming to Ontario.
If you can’t see the embedded player, click here to hear this interview.