Dear Members and Friends,
What a journey the past five years have been. As we wrap up EFAO’s 5-Year Strategic Plan, this report represents both our 2024 Annual Report and a reflection on everything we’ve built and learned together from 2020 to 2024.
Looking back, it’s clear that our strength lies in community—farmers helping farmers, knowledge shared in fields and over fence lines, and a shared belief that ecological farming is a powerful force for change. With this report, we’ve tried to capture not just the numbers, but the stories and relationships that have helped shape our work.
We asked big questions: Are farmers feeling more confident and capable in ecological practices? Have new techniques made a real difference in their fields and bottom lines? Are we building a community that’s truly inclusive, where everyone feels they belong?
There’s a lot to be proud of. We’ve more than doubled our membership—from 527 to 1,062. EFAO’s annual conference, heading into its 12th year, continues to be a highlight of the year for many members and growers across the province.
The Farmer-led Research Program has supported 163 research trials, proving again and again that farmers are some of the best scientists out there. We’ve worked with growers to save and adapt seeds to our unique climates through the Bauta Family Initiative in Canadian Seed Security. Over 10,000 acres have seen more diversity thanks to the Small Grains Program. We have significantly increased membership, engagement and leadership from equity-deserving groups, and over the past two years have fostered new relationships and collaborations with inspiring Indigenous leaders and organizations.
Through it all, our focus has stayed the same: build real relationships, support each other, and share knowledge that keeps farmers and farms resilient.
We hope this report gives you a sense of how far we’ve come, and where we’re going. Thank you—to every farmer, member, supporter, partner, and funder—for believing in this work and being part of it.
With gratitude and solidarity,
Ali English
Executive Director
Katrina McQuail
Board President