August 2025 OFA Regional Meeting

Welcome and Introductions: LFA President Brian Eves, welcomed all guests, George Dickenson, said Grace

6:30pm – Dinner Served

Brian thanked the St. Clair Golf Course staff for preparing the wonderful meal and hosting our regional meeting.

Cyber Security and Your Farm.

Brad is based out of Petrolia and is part of the Fraud task force.

Never be ashamed, fraudsters are professionals. Less than 5% of frauds reported. Discussed recognizing fake websites, cryptocurrency investment in cryptocurrency = run!

Pop ups want to scare you so you call them and they get money….dont be scared, call the police they will help you through. Emergency scams – big trend, using our voices to create a scam scenario.

Suggested having a secret password with family members and elderly extended family. They ask for gift cards. Keep virus scan up to date. Identity fraud – need to use password manager and make a long password.

Don’t answer Unknown names and numbers. Phishing is someone trying to act like someone they are not. Example, CRA, you owe us money.

Romance scams – better to call the police and ask to do a reverse picture to see if the person is real. Beware of shopping scams – they buy a facebook account to sell stuff. Kijiji, etc. Red flags, don’t be afraid to say no, apple and android have password managers, use them.

Two factor authentication is protection.

If you need help go to Petrolia OPP station, call Brad 519-381-2647. No one is safe, we have to protect yourself.

Question and answers.

Maaike Campbell presented scholarships. We received 20 applicants, over 50 applications to 9 scholarships.

• Joyce Anderson Scholarship $2000 presented to Avery Ellwood, by Amy Veysey from SCF
• Bill & Dorothy Abraham Scholarship $1000 presented to Dominik Schoeley
• Patrick & Timothy Kerrigan Scholarship $1000 presented to Tecla Gerrits – not present
• Women’s Institute Scholarship $1000 presented to Julia Drury
• Federation One Scholarship $1000 presented to Karen VanDamme
• Federation Two Scholarship $1000 presented to Michael MacKellar
• Dona Stewardson Scholarship $1000 presented to Emilee Langford (not in attendence)
• Lois Wakefield Scholarship $1000 presented to Lilly Vandendool

Brian congratulated all the recipients.

Provided key items that LFA is keeping an eye on in Lambton County. Participate in farm shows, 4H chili cook off, All Candidates Meeting, Career night at PE McGibbons, Lambton Soil & Crop, Lambton County Council Delegation. Municipal Bus Tour.

Key issues in Lambton: Agriculture land use planning, Hydro One transmission lines “Longwoods Line” SE corner of LC. Wind Turbines, Cargill Terminal. Reviewed how LFA supports community, Farm Safety, Ag in the classroom, Food bank donations.

How we reach our members, radio shops, farms shows, newsletters.

Crispin provided an update from the OFA the last year.

Tariffs and trades are a major challenge this year.

We support the team canada approach. Advocate with US leaders and political leaders all over.

Rural infrastructure funding, continue to lobby for more.

Local food and farm business supports – buy local. 3 top issues: taxation, energy and property rights.

On going advocacy: Farm land preservation, Interprovincial trade, Storm water mgmt.

Investment in Community; Revive Fund. Reminded members to call the wellness help line available 24/7.

Karen McLean appointed the following scrutineers: Brad Armas and Drew Spoelstra 

Gary Martin motioned to appoint as scrutineers, Harry van Weiren seconded the motion – CARRIED. 

Declare all positions open

PAC – Policy Advisory Council: meets 2-3 times per year and their role is to gather input and provide the input to the board of directors, PAC attends AGM and they vote. 

Current 2025 PAC representatives are Gary Martin, Harry van Wieren and Brian Eves. They will go to this years AGM, PAC members appointed in 2026 will go to AGM in 2026.

Need to elect 3 people for 2026: 

• Brian Eves submitted his name
• Harry van Wieren submitted his name
• Brian Eves nominated Gary Martin  

Second call for nominations – none

Final call for nominations – closed

Brian Eves, Gary Martin and Harry van Weiren accepted representing PAC in 2026.

Election for delegates for the AGM, Nov 24/25, 2025 in Toronto, AGM delegates include:

• Maaike Campbell
• Debbie Coke
• Fraser Beatty
• Brad Langstaff

Second call for nominations:

• George Dickenson nominated Cassie Van Engelen
• Dave Ferguson nominated Gabrielle Ferguson
• Gary Mary nominated Julie and Kyle Maw

Third call for nominations: none.

Kyle declined nomination

Julie declined nomination

Cassie Van Engelen – accepted

Brad Langstaff – not present but accepted

Gabrielle Ferguson – accepted

Fraser Beatty – accepted

Maaike Campbell – accepted

Debbie Coke – not present but accepted

2 alternates: 

Burt McKinlay

Harry van Wieren nominated George Dickenson

George Dickenson accepted as an alternate, Burt accepted as an alternate.

George Dickenson MOTIONED to allow Lambton Federation to fill vacant positions, Gary Martin seconded, CARRIED.

Maaike Campbell MOTIONED to release scrutineers, Harry van Wieren seconded, CARRIED.

Brian Eves MOTIONED to close elections, Burt McKinlay seconded, CARRIED.

OFA Board Candidates: Maaike Campbell, and Crispin Colvin

Youth interested in attending OYFF:

• Karen VanDamme
• Dominek Schoeley

Social & evening concluded