Dear Editor:
RE: Farms are small businesses too, and they need less red tape to grow, Oct. 23.
I strongly agree with this recent opinion piece. Too often, people picture farming only as a way of life, not as a business that requires financial planning, risk-taking, marketing and constant adaptation. Yet farms feed our communities, create local jobs and support countless other small businesses through purchasing supplies, equipment and services.
Unfortunately, unnecessary red tape continues to hold farmers back. When a farm wants to expand or make improvements, the approval process is slow, complicated and expensive. These delays make it harder for farmers to innovate, remain competitive and pass their operations on to the next generation. Government programs and grants are supposed to help, but if the paperwork becomes a full-time job, many farmers simply give up on applying.
Northern Ontario farmers face even greater challenges, from long distances to weaker infrastructure. If we want young farmers to stay and invest in rural communities, the government must make it easier, not harder to grow a farm business. The government should continue to support local farmers which fuel our local economy instead of importing foreign products. They also continue to support the farmers’ exports especially as tariffs on Canadian dairy would be devastating to local farmers.
Small Business Week was the perfect reminder that farms contribute greatly to Ontario’s economy and deserve a fair chance to succeed. Supporting local farmers means stronger communities, secure food supplies and more resilient local economies. It’s time to reduce barriers and let our farm businesses flourish.
Kevin Kottelenberg,
Wellington North