EFAO Staff

Ali guides EFAO’s work, ensures the organization’s financial sustainability and fosters relationships with organizations and stakeholders to support the interests and needs of ecological farmers.

Ali holds a B.Sc. in Food Production and the Environment from McGill University and a M.Sc. in Agroecology from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Prior to working with EFAO, Ali spent a number of years working on farms and helped to start and run a CSA farm business. She also spent 6 years working at FarmStart, where she developed training opportunities and resources for new farmers across Ontario. Ali became ED in 2015, and loves supporting ecological farmers – the growers, innovators and community builders who are doing such valuable work!

Sarah (née Hargreaves) leads the Farmer-Led Research Program and Small Grains Program and supports soil health components of EFAO’s education programs.

Sarah holds a Ph.D. in Soil Microbial Ecology from Iowa State University. Raised in Toronto, Sarah spent three years studying nutrient cycling in the sub-Arctic, where she found her love of soil microbes as the ultimate recyclers and network builders; followed by 10 years in Iowa, where applied her passion for soil microbes to agroecosystems. Through her involvement with Practical Farmers of Iowa, she also learned about the power of farmer-to-farmer networks — the “mycelia” within farming communities — to ignite the curiosity and innovative spirit of farmers. To support farmers in this way in Ontario, Sarah launched EFAO’s Farmer-Led Research Program in 2016, EFAO’s Small Grains Program in 2020, and she also supports soil health components of EFAO’s education programs. When she’s not working with EFAO members, you can find Sarah tending the land with her partner and daughter at Three Ridges Ecological Farm, and rekindling the sacred fire of her Michif (Red River Métis) roots.

Martina maintains the daily behind-the-scenes operations that keep EFAO running smoothly, manages the member database, and publishes EFAO’s e-newsletters, as well as being a support to other members of the team in their roles.

Martina holds a B.Sc. in Animal Biology from the University of Guelph. She has been involved in southern Ontario’s ecological farm network since 2011, when she completed an internship at Ignatius Farm. She spent the next 4 years farming in Perth County and on the West coast, and worked with the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training. In addition to her role at EFAO, she runs a human-scale, low-till market garden in Wellington County which provides for a small CSA program. Martina’s farm journey is fueled by strong connections and mentorship, and she is pleased to further these connections for fellow farmers through her work with EFAO.

Allison leads EFAO’s Northern programs, from Ontario’s northernmost District of Kenora all the way down to Muskoka. She also coordinates a pilot program (launching in 2020) to support and encourage new and young farmers in Northern Ontario through training, mentorship, and start-up grants.

Allison holds a B.Sc. in Biology from Queen’s University. Previous to working with EFAO, she worked for FarmStart from 2013-2016 and was one of five founding members of Eat Local Sudbury Co-operative, where she worked in various roles including staff, Board member and producer-member. In 2010, Allison started a small, mixed farm business, Rowantree Farms, in Sudbury. Although no longer running Rowantree Farms as a business, Allison continues to grow meats, fruit and vegetables to feed her family. She is passionate about supporting ecological farmers and is truly delighted to join the amazing EFAO staff team!

Rebecca supports farmers to learn about regional seed production, and to implement participatory variety trials and plant breeding projects as part of The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security and EFAO’s Farmer-Led Research Program.

Rebecca holds a M.S. in Anthropology and International Development from the University of Guelph, with a lifelong curiosity for the plants around her and the connection between plants and culture. In 2013, she joined Whole Circle Farm as a CRAFT intern, and stayed on as staff to co-manage the 10-acre CSA and reintroduce seed production to the farm. During this time she also started the Southern Ontario Pepper Breeding Project with three other farmers in southern Ontario with support from plant breeders at Cornell University and in cooperation with EFAO’s Farmer-Led Research Program. In farming, plant breeding, and seed saving she seeks to honour the past, present and future.

Laura oversees EFAO’s communications, media relations, and social media, and is the editor of EFAO’s member magazine, Ecological Farming in Ontario.  Prior to working for EFAO, Laura served as Communications & Membership Manager for the Organic Council of Ontario and served in related roles with other nonprofit & government organizations.

Laura holds a B.A. in English Literature from Carleton University and a Certificate in Corporate Communications & Public Relations from Seneca College. Over the course of her career, she has had a wide range of work experiences with public, private, and non-profit organizations, including a season as an apprentice on a permaculture farm in Nova Scotia, and one running a CSA and market garden on her family farm. Laura is thrilled to contribute to real-world solutions to climate change through EFAO’s work. She is also passionate about mental health, and loves listening to and making music.

Angel guides EFAO’s work in building strategic partnerships across the ecological ag and ag-adjacent sectors, with a focus on initiatives that serve Black, Indigenous and other farmers of colour. In 2020, Angel helped launch, and continues to support EFAO’s Farmers Network for Black, Indigenous, and people of colour, which connects more than 170 farmers, land stewards and farm workers across Ontario. Angel also oversees EFAO’s land access work, through the Land Access Coalition (in collaboration with NFU-O), as well as educational events and helping develop recommendations for new farmer policies and programs.

Angel loves to connect with fellow growers in Eastern Ontario, providing information about EFAO programs and exploring potential collaborations. Angel holds an M.A. in English Literature and is a certified Organic Master Gardener. Prior to joining the EFAO team, Angel’s career has spanned the private and non-profit sectors, with a focus on urban agriculture, communications, ecological landscaping, mental health and social enterprise. Outside of EFAO, you can find Angel tending her flock of laying hens and small market garden, as well as planting native trees on her farm.

Cassie supports the educational components of EFAO’s programs, and coordinates events and resources in line with the learning and training needs of EFAO’s members. If you’ve got a great idea for a farm tour, webinar, workshop, or other educational event, please drop her a line!

Cassie grew up surrounded by farm country and Carolinian forest in Norfolk County, which fostered her lifelong interest in the connections between ecology, food, and growing systems. She went on to complete a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences at the University of Guelph, and a Masters in Environmental Studies degree at York University, where she focused on farming and food systems, environmental and food education, and social justice. Cassie then spent six years creating and facilitating social justice focused experiential learning programs for postsecondary students. She is delighted to combine her love of education, food, and farming to support a vibrant learning community among ecological farmers in Ontario! When she’s not working, you’ll find Cassie, her wife, and their kiddo on their homestead in the Madawaska Valley, or in the surrounding woods and lakes hiking, mountain biking, camping, paddling and foraging.

Jackie manages EFAO’s Small Grains Program, helping to encourage farmers to realize the benefits of incorporating small grains in field crop rotations. She is passionate about innovation and collaborative research across the agri-food industry, and connecting farmers with the resources they need to improve the sustainability of their operations. 

Jackie holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture and M.Sc. in Sustainable Cropping Systems from the University of Guelph, where she studied cover crops and soil health. She has worked on a broad range of research projects based in diverse settings such as the terrace farms of Nepal, soybean fields in Nebraska, and corn fields and crop biotechnology labs here in Ontario. A two-year stint as an Agriculture Journalist bolstered Jackie’s appreciation for the hard work and problem-solving efforts of farmers as they work to grow safe and nutritious food for a growing population while mitigating the impacts of climate change, and she’s eager to facilitate that goal in her role at EFAO. When not answering your Small Grains questions, Jackie is likely out training for a marathon, or home snuggling her foster cats. 

Heather grew up farming on an organic mixed farm in Bruce County. After a brief time away to complete her Bachlors of Science from the University of Waterloo, she returned home to raise a family. As her family grew so did her own farm and food business. Heather is passionate about growing heritage varieties in an ecologically conscientious way, growing the local food economy and creating unique, delicious food products from local ingredients through her co-owned food company, Two Birds One Stone. She is also active in her community through organizations such as Bruce Botanical Food Garden, Ripley and District Horticultural Society and Eat Local Grey Bruce.

She is excited to be able to support the work of the Farmer Led Research team as a Research Coordinator.