If there has ever been a year when we needed to take pause, reconnect, plant our roots, and reach for new heights together, this is it.
Luckily, that’s what the EFAO Conference is all about. And even though we can’t be together in person, we’re pretty excited to offer an online program that will still let you connect with your community, learn something new, and engage with the issues that inspire your work.
These challenging times present a rare opportunity to reimagine and rebuild a more ecologically sound, healthy, and just agriculture and food system in Ontario. This year’s conference theme, Rooted & Reaching, speaks to the connection that farmers have with land and community, even in these uncertain times, while also recognizing the need to reach further.
We hope you will join us from the comfort of your own living room or kitchen table, and take in all that Ontario’s ecological farming community has to offer!
What you can expect from the Virtual EFAO Conference in 2020:
- Over 20 educational and inspiring sessionson topics such as distribution in COVID times, racial justice in farming, holistic management, silvopasture, organic grain production, cover crops, and much more. Check out the full program online!
- The 2020 Virtual Research Symposium which highlights results from 2020 farmer-led research trials and a visioning session for 2021.
- A virtual Trade Show
- Social hours and a virtual concert
- Multiple ways to connect and engage with the ecological farming community!
Join the 2020 Research Symposium and Participatory Workshop
The 2020 Virtual Research Symposium will take place on Monday November 30 from 11:00am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 3:00pm. The Research & Seed Participatory Workshop will take place on Thursday December 3 from 10:00am – 11:00am. The Symposium and the Participatory Workshop are included in both a Full Conference Pass and a Monday Pass.
Registration Pricing
Full Conference Pass: $75 for EFAO members, $100 Standard (prices go up November 24). Includes access to all sessions & recordings.
Single Day: $25 for EFAO members, $35 Standard (prices go up November 24)
Includes access to all sessions & recordings for registered day + access to Thursday meetings and Trade Show.
Full program & registration details
About the Conference Artwork:
“I created this piece to reflect our current times, our collective care of the planet as farmers, and positive images in healing. The oak tree represents strength and longevity with the colours of the medicine wheel representing healing and coming together of all people. The owl represents wisdom. The soil life and crops represent the importance of nurturing and building soil life that is a crucial component of our task as ecological farmers. Crop cover symbolizes thriving soils. Bees, birds, frogs, and cocoons all represent change. Caring for our water is depicted by the fish and the three sisters’ garden illustrates honouring indigenous teachings. On the other side of the tree, ruminants large and small and chickens portray projects to regenerate and care for our soils as ecological farmers.”
About the Artist:
Laura Savoy Boyle, High Spirits Farm
Since 1987, Laura has developed her work in a variety of subjects and media including illustration, watercolour, acrylic, pencil, and wood sculpture. Moving with her husband and animals to a small farm 16 years ago inspired Laura to explore aspects of the farming community through her art. ‘The history, hardship and reconnection to the land have been an interesting journey.’
Laura continues her passion for history and farming in growing heritage vegetables and fruit for a CSA program and in 2021, Laura will release a new series of paintings and artwork featuring heritage farms and old farmhouses entitled “Field of Dreams.