FARMING IN OTTAWA'S SHADOW

by David Morris

For Don Kenny, being a Director of OCPA has broadened his horizons. I have enjoyed my time with OCPA," he says. "I've been part of many good discussions and have made many good friendships. Before I joined OCPA, I hardly knew any farmers outside of Eastern Ontario. Now I have networks that spread not just across Ontario, but across all of Canada. OCPA has given me a real education and it has been one that I've thoroughly enjoyed."

Don has been the OCPA Director for Region 2, (Ottawa-Carleton, Lanark, Renfrew, Grenville, and Nipissing) for 11 years. He served as Chair of the Grain Trade and Marketing Committee for 6 years and is still a member of that committee. He also sits on the Environment and Research Committee. His commitments don't end there, however. Don represents OCPA on the Canada Grains Council and served as Vice-Chair of that organization for five years. He has found this to have been a very useful forum because it involves all of the players in the industry. The Council has 30 members, representing the full scope of the industry; producers, transportation, processors and the grain marketing companies.

The Canada Grains Council has recently been instrumental in developing an on-farm food safety program for grains and oilseeds. It has just completed a 2-year pilot project and according to Don, is now looking for input from producers. "We would like their feedback on how we proceed from here, especially around administration of the program and the process of auditing at the farm level. A key part of the program would be the development of a producer manual and a standardized record book. It's all designed to help the producer prove that he is really doing what he says he's doing." (See the January 2004 issue of The Corn Producer for more information.)

The international Bio-Safety Protocol has also been a focus of the Canada Grains Council. Grain exporting ations have much at stake in this agreement because it could significantly strengthen the hand of countries that might want to limit imports of products containing genetically modified crops. Don appreciates that the Canadian government has taken steps to help protect the interests of the Canadian grain and oilseed industries. "I'm really glad that Canada, United States and Mexico have signed a trilateral agreement," he says. "At least now, we have a common North American position. One of the big challenges remaining is that there are different rules for developing countries and there is some question as to what a developing country is. Some countries that are claiming that status sure do not fit my picture of what a developing country is."

Don has also represented OCPA on the Board of the Grain Growers of Canada for 2 years, including one year on the Executive. "That works out well all around," he says. "Their office is right here in Ottawa, so it's handy for me, and I enjoy that involvement. The Grain Growers of Canada have put a lot of work into safety net programs in order to present the producers' perspective on a national level. Despite the regional differences, it has worked okay and we have been able to lobby effectively for what is needed. It has been helpful for me to be part of both the Canada Grains Council and the Grain Growers of Canada. I can serve as a link between the two and help put things in a broader perspective. Working at the national level has been an interesting experience, as we all learn from each other. Some of the western growers would love to have the flexibility in marketing their crops, especially wheat, that we have in Ontario. We're also ahead of a number of provinces on the environmental front. Some provinces do not have Environmental Farm Plans and are looking at what Ontario has in place now."

Don farms near Stittsville (just west of Ottawa) in partnership with his brother, Bert. They have a century farm that has been in the family for 5 generations. Prior to 1991, they were milk producers. Now, their primary enterprise is a cash-crop operation of 1,100 acres. In 2003, they grew 600 acres of corn, 300 acres of soybeans, 80 acres of barley and 60 acres of spring wheat. The balance was devoted to hay. They also buy and sell Holstein heifers and have recently added a small herd of beef cows.

Farming in the shadow of Ottawa brings its own unique problems. A large proportion of the land that the Kennys rent is located at Bell's Corners. Because that land is surrounded by urban development, just getting there with equipment is a challenge. "As long as we're not on the road during rush hour, it isn't too bad," says Don. "But, it's getting to be more of a challenge all the time as equipment gets bigger. We gave up hauling grain with tractors and wagons a long time ago. Now we haul everything by truck." And then there are the people who view the land as a recreational area. "We rent from the National Capital Commission. Because the land is owned by the government, some people think they have the right to use it. Each summer, we have to remind some people that, yes, the land is owned by the government, but we rent it and that's our crop they're walking through." Ironically, wildlife is also a growing problem. "There's a huge deer population in this area," Don notes. "It's nothing to see 6 or 7 at a time, and they can do a lot of damage. Geese are also getting to be a big nuisance. If they move into a soybean field before we get it combined, they'll strip an area right clean. When you combine spots where they have been, you don't hear a bean going into the bin." The human neighbours also add to the wildlife problem. "People go out there to release the racoons, skunks or groundhogs they have caught around their homes. And we're stuck with them, because the land is in the city and no hunting is allowed."

Don, and his wife, Cherylann, have a son and two daughters. Both of their daughters were married this summer, within 3 weeks of each other. (Talk about a busy summer!!) Their son is married with two children. He is a mechanic and helps out around the farm, as his time permits. He would like to be more involved with the farm, but expanding the operation isn't a viable option right now. "It's not just a matter of going out and renting more land," notes Don. "The market for rented cropland is too competitive around here, and we can't justify the rents that people are asking."