GUELPH, ONTARIO — For its first ever virtual conference, the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) presents a packed program covering vital topics for farmers concerned about the impact their work has on our planet and people who care for it.
Speakers at the conference include:
- Brent Preston, EFAO Board President, organic farmer, and author of The New Farm, winner of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario Speaker’s Book Award, 2017;
- Steve Gabriel, a farmer and educator from Wellspring Forest Farm in New York State and author of Silvopasture from Chelsea Green Publishing;
- Mary-Howell Martens from Lakeview Organic Grain, contributor to Letters to a Young Farmer, also from Chelsea Green Publishing; and,
- Cheyenne Sundance of Sundance Harvest, an urban farm, store, school, and mentorship program for BIPOC and GLBTQ2S youth in Toronto.
“We’ve worked extremely hard to put together a program that highlights the big issues and topics our community is engaged with right now,” says Ali English, EFAO’s Executive Director. “This is an important historical moment and we want to offer farmers a chance to broaden their knowledge, expand the tools and resources they can draw from, and connect with a community of folks who want to do the same.”
In addition to over 56 speakers and 24 sessions, the conference will include a Research Symposium, a virtual Trade Show, live concert, virtual farm tours, several social events, community meetings, and the organization’s AGM. Attendees have been provided with a multitude of ways to stay connected through the online format.
The theme of the conference, “Rooted and Reaching,” speaks to farmers’ connection to land and community, while recognizing the need and desire to reach further for a more ecological, healthy and just agriculture and food system in Ontario.
The 2020 EFAO Conference runs from Nov. 30th to Dec. 5th, and full conference passes are on sale until 7:00 am on Monday, Nov. 30th. Day passes for each day of the conference are available until 7:00 am each day.
Contact:
Laura Northey,
Communications & Government Relations Manager
laura@efao.ca
647 668 3173