There’s a new slate of faces at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture executive table, following elections at the annual general meeting in Ottawa Feb. 27-Mar. 1, 2019.

Mary Robinson was elected as president, the first female in the position throughout the organization's 84-year history. She replaces Ron Bonnett who stepped down after nine years. Mary was previously the president of the Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture, as well as the chair of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council. 

“I am looking forward to engaging key stakeholder and political decision-makers on why the agri-food sector is the leading economic engine of Canada. It's critical that investments in agriculture are a priority for the Canadian government. Investments in rural Canada and agriculture benefit not only rural Canada but the nation as a whole," she said. 

Keith Currie won the election for 1st vice-president. Currie is the current president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and has been a strong proponent behind the "Producing Prosperity" campaign in Ontario. This campaign will soon be expanded nationally through CFA, focusing on the pillars of economics, food security and the environment.

Chris van den Heuvel was elected as 2nd vice-president. He served previously as president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, and has been heavily involved in efforts to keep agriculture in the minds of federal and provincial governments.

Source: Canadian Federation of Agriculture, February 28, 2019 news release