The new president of the National Farmers Union Ontario is a cash-crop farmer from Chatham-Kent.
Emery Huzska of Florence was chosen for the job at the organisation's recent annual general meeting in Kingston.
He feels that while all three of the province's general farm organisations are strong advocates for agriculture, the NFU provides a voice for those who have a different way of looking at things.
But while there are differences between the organisations representing Ontario farmers, Huszka believes there are also times when they can work together on issues they agree on.
Huzska says his organisation's main platform is built on the health of the family farm, the economic viability of the rural community and the health of the soil.
He points out what he calls the symbiotic relationship between farmers and their rural communities.
The NFU Ontario president says changing demographics and the drop in the number of family farms has cost some rural communities their local grocery stores - which hurts everyone in the community, including farmers.
Also elected to the NFU-O Board and NFU Region 3 Council at that Kingston meeting were Katie Ward of Woodlawn as Vice President and Women's Advisor and Martin Boettcher of Brussels as Youth Advisor.
Tony Straathof of Westmeath and Don Ciparis of Rodney were named National Board Members.
Tim Tabbert of Foresters Falls, Dan Kretschmar of Severn Bridge and former NFU Ontario President Karen Eatwell of Denfield continue serving as Councillors-at-large.
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Huszka says the NFU has a rich history of involvement in a lot of social issues affecting agriculture and the family farm.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/HUSZKA-NFU-1.mp3"][/audio]
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Huszka says all three of the province's general farm organisations are strong advocates for agriculture, with the NFU serving a need for some of the province's farmers.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/HUZSKA-NFU-2.mp3"][/audio]
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Huzska suggests that although there are a number of different groups representing Ontario farmers, there is room for a unified approach in some areas.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/HUZSKA-NFU-3.mp3"][/audio]
