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One Day Left for the Farm Show

Politicians from across the globe checked out Day 2 of the Outdoor Farm Show including Ontario's Ag Minister

WOODSTOCK - It was another packed house during day two of Canada's Outdoor Farm just outside Woodstock and the day brought out Ontario's Agriculture and rural affairs Minister.

Jeff Leal was in attendance touring the grounds and talking with farmers. He tells Heart FM agriculture is one of the biggest industries in the Province and the processing side of it makes up 23 percent of our manufacturing in Ontario.  "This is really an opportunity to see the very best of what Ontario agriculture has to offer.  You know we contribute $34 billion to Ontario GDP, second only to the auto sector in the province of Ontario.  In terms of economic importance it employs 780,000 Ontarian's each and every day."  

Leal says Woodstock's location and deep history in agriculture makes it the best place to host such an event.  "This is really a prime agriculture community in Ontario with an abundance of class 1-3 soil.  The other thing I like to emphasis is that farmers are great Stewart's of the environment, and that is something that needs to be recognized because what they are doing today is paving the way for future generations."    

He adds the innovation coming from this Province is on display this week and it is a big reason why our agriculture industry is so productive.  "Well first of all we have about 52,000 family farms in the Province of Ontario.  When an innovation occurs I get the opportunity to tour the back concessions and sit at kitchen tables, and when you get that opportunity to chat with people you see their excitement about the industry and of course they're innovator in their own right."  The final day of the farm show is tomorrow with plenty of demonstrations taking place and it is a great place to get  sneak peek at the future of agriculture.

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