Garden Route Therapy

I was fortunate to get on the coach bus yesterday and tour agri-business industries in York Region with local educators and government officials.  The second annual tour was organized by the York South Simcoe Training & Adjustment Board, York Region & the York Region Federation of Agriculture.

The tour aims to increase awareness of potential career pathways for students in primary agriculture and secondary agri-business by highlighting opportunities in the local labour market.  We had a chance to visit a diverse range of successful operations including Skelton Truck Lines, King Cole Ducks, Hutchinson Farm Supply, Thompson Potato Farm & Kesmac/Brouwer Turf.  Clearly organizers were looking to show the industries scope, beyond the farmer, with technology and machinery being highlighted.  This might be an easier sell than encouraging the next generation of farmers but without people actually wanting to grow food, our community’s food security is at risk and secondary careers in agriculture will be limited.  The tour concluded with a very generous lunch prepared with local foods, including delicious homemade pie for dessert.