SPENCERVILLE — After two years at the helm of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), Geri Kamenz is stepping down. "I’ve been involved for 25 years and it’s time for a new generation of leadership," he says.

He has been nominated to one of three director-at-large positions but says he’ll turn that down at the annual meeting in Toronto on November 24 and 25.

Under Kamenz’s leadership as president, the OFA has slimmed down its 105 county directors to 15 regional directors and three directors at large. The president must be selected from the 18 elected directors but is voted for by all the delegates at the convention. The delegates will also vote for the two vice presidents also taken from the 18 directors.

Kamenz, 48, and his executive over the last two years increased the public presence of the OFA and it again has become the voice of Ontario agriculture. "Governments automatically think of us," he said.

"I’m still dedicated and committed to the changes that have taken place," he adds. He’ll now dedicate himself to improving ties with Quebec farmers. "We’re very much alike." He says the federation has already launched talks with Quebec farmers. "The wheels have been set in motion."

Trenton fruit and vegetable grower Bette Jean Crews, the current first vice president and the first elected director for four east-central counties, will run for president. She supported Kamenz in changing the structure of OFA, saying the changes were made to improve the organization’s efficiency.

The expansion of territory will actually make things easier for her, she says. Members on the current provincial executive had covered seven or eight counties. Now she’s down by half.

From the 18 directors, including three directors at large, the delegates will elect a president along with a first and second vice president at the November annual meeting.

So far five nominations have been received for directors at large. They include Joe Dickenson, of Chatham, former president of the Junior Farmers; and Adrian Wynands, president of the Grenville County Federation of Agriculture.

The newly elected directors east of Toronto are:

Debra-Pretty Straathof, (Arnprior, Lanark, Ottawa, Renfrew); Bruce Webster, (Durham, Peterborough, Victoria, Haliburton;) Ellie Renaud, (Grenville, Frontenac, Dundas, Leeds); Bette Jean Crews, (Hastings, Lennox-Addington, Northumberland, Prince Edward).

Crews, Renaud and Straathof will serve three-year terms while Webster will serve a two-year term.

The length of terms in office was determined by a random draw.