Annual Report 2006/2007
Key EFAO Activities:
Courses: Thirteen courses were held during the winter of 2006 with approximately 150 participants. Course held included Introduction to Ecological Agriculture, Field Crop Rotation, Market Garden Crop Rotation, Finding the Balance - Interpreting Soil Tests for Organic Farmers, Direct Marketing and Composting. Nine new facilitators were trained in January 2007. We now have fourteen active EFAO farmer-facilitators.
The education committee provides ongoing direction around course issues. Committee members are Chris Litster, Ken Laing, Bob Garthson, Janet Duncan and Annette Verhagen.
Advisory Services: Between November 1, 2006 and October 31, 2007 120 advisory phone calls were documented and thirteen visits to advisors farms and five on-farm visits took place. Thank you to all the EFAO farmer-advisors and to the many EFAO members and advisors who offer support to other ecological farmers, without documenting their calls.
Farm Tours: Ten farm tours took place this past summer, with approximately 275 participants.
Kitchen Table Meetings: Seven kitchen table meetings were held last winter with about 60 participants
Ecological Farming in Ontario, our bi-monthly newsletter continues to be a valuable resource for our members. Contributions are always welcome. Send yours to colin@ecologicalfarming.ca.
The Biweekly Events Calendar, sent via email every two weeks has become an important source of information on coming events and action alerts in the organic, farm and environmental community.
The EFAO Website contains unique information like the farmers market price lists and updates on issues and events. It is presently being re-organized to make it more useful and easier to keep up-to-date.
Library: EFAO members continue to have free access to the COG library.
EFAO Representatives to Meetings and Gatherings:
Thank you to all members who have helped bring the voice of Ontario's ecological and organic farmers to meetings, gatherings, farm shows, fairs, etc. Some of the people who represented EFAO at various gatherings and meetings are:
Nyeleni Food Sovereignty Conference, Mali - Ella Haley
Agricultural Policy Framework Consultations - Cathy McGregor-Smith, Bob Garthson, Ann Slater
Raw Milk Gatherings - Achim Mohssen-Beyk, Karl Schibli
Organic Research Advisory Committee - Karen Maitland, Ella Haley
Organic Council of Ontario: EFAO is a member of the Council and on behalf of EFAO, Ann Slater represents the association sector on the board of the Council.
Canadian General Standards Board Technical Committee: Maureen Bostock sits on the Technical Committee reviewing the Canadian Organic Standards on behalf of EFAO.
Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN): We are working with CBAN and the National Farmers Union in Ontario on a joint project, funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, to produce and distribute factsheets for farmers and consumers on GE related issues. The project also provides funds and support for meetings on GE issues in rural and urban areas. Maureen Bostock and Ann Slater keep EFAO connected to CBAN and Maureen is a member of the CBAN steering committee.
Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada: Ann Slater represents the association sector on the board of OACC.
Looking Forward: New Initiatives underway or in the Planning Stage:
Transition to Organic Agriculture Course> developed by COG, now being delivered by EFAO. The first course was held November 23, 24, 2007.
The new EFAO Certified Organic Standards Committee, chaired by Maureen Bostock aims to provide a farmer's voice to the working groups of the CGSB Technical Committee.
Conferences:
November 2008 CSA Conference in Orillia- Karen Maitland represents EFAO on the planning committee.
March 1, 2008 Beyond Factory Farming Coalition Conference in Guelph - Ann Slater represents EFAO on the planning committee.
Farmer Study Clubs: a new program being developed with input from others, to provide additional support to farmers in transition as well as other ecological and organic farmers.
