Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario
Northern Outreach
Established in 1979 by farmers for farmers, the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario is a membership organization that focuses on farmer-led education, research and community building. EFAO brings farmers together so they can learn from each other and improve the health of their soils, crops, livestock and the environment, while running profitable farm businesses.
Education, Networking & Training
One of EFAO's key mandates is education. Through farmer-to-farmer training and networking opportunities, EFAO supports farmers to build resilient ecological farms while helping to create a community among members. The main methods of education and community building are EFAO's year round training opportunities, such as meetings, workshops and webinars. Additionally, EFAO has a quarterly newsletter and an online forum to facilitate farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing. Finally, EFAO hosts an annual four day conference of intensive learning, idea-sharing, networking and celebration.
EFAO offers a wide range of farmer-to-farmer training and mentorship opportunities through workshops, farm tours, meetings and advisory consultations, which NOFIA facilitates in Temiskaming & Cochrane.
Research
Another of EFAO's mandates is research. EFAO offers funding to farmer-led research projects. By supporting farmer-led research, EFAO empowers farmers to generate and share practical knowledge and innovations that advance our understanding of ecological, organic and regenerative farming. If you're a farmer with an idea that you'd like to test, you can apply to the EFAO for financial and technical support. Click here for more information on EFAO's Farmer-Led Research Program.
EFAO Outreach Consultants in Northern Ontario:
Temiskaming & Cochrane:
Emily Potter
General Program Inquiries:
Allison Muckle
Director of Northern Programs
Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario
Sudbury, Nipissing, Muskoka & Parry Sound:
Isabelle Spence-Legault
Algoma & Manitoulin:
David Thompson
Thunder Bay:
Karen Kerk
foodstrategy@ecosuperior.org
