Including farmer voices in policy making

(Kara Oosterhuis/RealAgriculture)

Policy makers affect agriculture from the ground up so it makes the most sense to have growers involved in policy making. But whose job is it to make sure growers’ voices are heard?

Dean Roberts with Canadian Canola Growers Association was at Farm Management Canada’s 2022 AgExcellence conference to discuss how growers can get involved with policy-making.

Roberts encourages young producers, like himself, to get involved in policy. He urges growers to attend meetings with an open mind and a willingness to engage.

There are opportunities for everyone to learn about policy, as many organizations provide producers with training and a network to help mentor them. He says one important factor in a grower’s involvement is having a support system behind them. He says a lack of support on the home-front can prevent growers from being able to leave their farm to get involved.

Roberts adds that passion is important in policy making. He got involved when he realized voices of growers like him need to be heard when making policy and decided to take a seat at the table. There’s plenty to learn and so much reading, he says, but it’s worth it, overall.

Listen on for more from Roberts on what to expect when jumping in to the farm policy world:

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