Ferguson Forest Centre loses 40% of its business

The Ferguson Forest Centre (FFC) lost 40 per cent of its business. The province cancelled the 50 Million Tree program, run by Forests Ontario. Over 27 million trees have been planted through the program since 2008.

Trees for the program made up 40 per cent of the FFC’s total production and 75 per cent of its Bareroot program.

CEO Ed Patchell says this means the FFC will have to redesign its business model and operate in different ways. He says it will impact staffing and how the FFC manages operating costs.

The FFC employs between 20 and 22 people during the summer months.

Approximately 2.5 million seedlings at the FFC were slated for the 50 Million Tree program over the next three years. Patchell says the fate of the trees is up in the air, because the FFC can’t continue with production if there is no reasonable expectation of sale.  

He says it’s a big challenge for the FFC. Patchell says it’s like starting the business all over again like in the mid-90’s.

The FFC sent a letter to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, through MPP Steve Clark.