Chatsworth farmer joins Grey Federation board; cell service and farm-equipment road safety head to OFA
Jonathan Bouwmeester of Chatsworth is on the Grey County Federation of Agriculture's board for the coming year. The federation is also taking two rural concerns to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture: cell service, and the safety of farm equipment on the road.
By David Ellis · · 2 min read
Jonathan Bouwmeester of Chatsworth is on the Grey County Federation of Agriculture's board for the coming year. The federation is also taking two rural concerns to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture: cell service, and the safety of farm equipment on the road.
The federation held its annual general meeting on Oct. 14, office administrator Jackie Pennings confirmed by email on Oct. 15. The federation's events page listed the meeting at Grey Ag Services in Markdale.
"Concerns to be brought forward to OFA AGM via resolution include rural cellular reception and safe travel on the roads for farm equipment," Pennings wrote.
The board
Lindsey Coles is president. Emily McKinlay and Mark Nicholls are vice-presidents, and Keith Reid is past president, according to Pennings.
The other directors are Bouwmeester (Chatsworth); Paul McQueen, Christine Wyville and Troy Wickens (Grey Highlands); Dianne Booker and Richard Suchow (Meaford); Pennings (Southgate); and RJ Taylor (West Grey).
The guest speakers were Lois Sinclair of Ontario Soil and Crop, "discussing programs available to farmers," and Landon Janzen of Co-operators Insurance, who "discussed farm insurance and requirements for farmers to be optimally covered," Pennings wrote.
Behind the resolutions
The OFA has long pushed for better rural connectivity. In a February 2026 submission to the federal Rural Development Action Plan consultation, it described "rural broadband and cellular connectivity as essential economic infrastructure."
On roads, the OFA's road-safety guidance says slow-moving vehicles are 3.8 to 4.8 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision per kilometre than other motor vehicles, citing federal data. Ontario law caps farm equipment displaying the orange-and-red slow-moving vehicle sign at 40 km/h, according to the OFA's fact sheet on the Highway Traffic Act.
The Banner asked the federation about its priorities for the Oct. 26 municipal election and requested an interview with the president or a director. Pennings said the interview request had been shared with the board. We're awaiting a response on both.
Your turn
Do you farm in Chatsworth? Where is cell service worst on your land or your routes, and which roads are toughest to travel with equipment? Tell us at news@chatsworthbanner.ca or through our tip form.
Get stories like this in your inbox.
Council, roads, events and the week's top local stories. One short email, free to sign up.
