Agricultural leaders and elected officials gathered on the weekend at Caradoc Sands in Strathroy for the Middlesex Federation of Agriculture’s Politician Forum, an event designed to spotlight the priorities of the region’s farming community.
Representatives from eight local commodity organizations outlined the economic contributions of their sectors while identifying the most pressing issues facing producers. Participating in the discussion were local MP Lianne Rood, MPP Rob Flack, and MPP Steve Pinsonneault, along with officials from four area municipalities.
Key topics included the upcoming CUSMA trade negotiations, labour shortages, proposed improvements to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, expanding domestic processing capacity, and investing in rural infrastructure. Farm leaders stressed that each of these areas plays a critical role in operational efficiency, market competitiveness, and the long-term viability of agriculture in Middlesex County.
Attendees described the forum as a productive platform for open dialogue, relationship-building, and collaboration, offering a clearer picture of the shared challenges and emerging opportunities across the region’s diverse agricultural sectors.
Written by: C. Soares