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 Politics has undoubtedly dominated the mainstream and agricultural news in 2025. I’ve heard many colleagues and fellow farm writers say it feels like we’ve had a year’s worth of news in just a few short months! I have certainly felt this way, and keeping up with news and trade disputes that change almost daily has been a challenge.
That’s why keeping agricultural issues top of mind for our provincial and federal politicians and policy-makers and informing our audiences has never been more critical. The Eastern Canada Farm Writers Association board of directors believe members would benefit from touring and learning more about the Ontario legislature and hearing from Queen’s Park reporters for this year’s annual meeting. We hope you can join us in Toronto, April 30, for an informative day and networking with your peers.
Kristy Nudds
ECFWA 2024-2025 President
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FFCO conference becomes impromptu gathering for farm writers
The Farm & Food Care Ontario annual conference this past week featured an engaging program as always – but also served as an impromptu gathering of farm writers from Ontario, Alberta and overseas.
Claire McCormack, an agricultural journalist and PhD researcher from University College Dublin in Ireland, was the keynote speaker at the event, sharing early results of her research into the shifts in how urban and rural media cover agricultural issues.
Read more.
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New CFWF Managing Director announced
The CFWF board has welcomed Annemarie Pedersen as the managing director of CFWF, effective Feb. 1, 2025.
Annemarie is well-known to many of us as a longtime member of the Alberta Farm Writers’ Association and a co-chair of the 2023 congress of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) in Calgary. She has a long history in the farm writing community, which we feel is an excellent asset to our federation.
Read more.
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Farm Tour & Holiday Lunch: Chickadee Christmas Trees
On December 10, about a dozen ECFWA members gathered outside of Cambridge to tour Chickadee Christmas Trees. Albeit a little less snow than anticipated, tour attendees were greeted by Alison McCrindle (with hot apple cider!) and toured the farm property of trees and nature trails. Alison and her husband, Joe Wareham have been growing and selling Christmas trees since 1997 and started with minimal knowledge of the industry. Starting off with 12 acres of marginal land and 1000 trees, they have honed their skills in pest management, tree species, and marketing to offer pre-cut trees from other farms and a cut-your-own on a variety of species!
Read more.
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www.ecfwa.ca
The new ECFWA website is now live! New features include a members-only section with a private member directory, a public freelancer directory, and more.
Visit today to set up your profile! |
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CFWF survey
CFWF is looking for feedback on the best ways to communicate with members. Your input is important!
Complete the survey. |
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Upcoming events
April 30: ECFWA AGM, Queen’s Park
May 14: Webinar: Food, Farming and Urban Media
September 18-20: CFWF Conference, Winnipeg
October 14-18: IFAJ Congress, Kenya
Find out more.
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IFAJ bursary
Win $2,500 towards your trip to Kenya for this year’s IFAJ Congress.
The applications are open now for members of the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation; closing April 21, 2025.
Apply today!
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ECFWA board members
Are you looking for an opportunity to get more involved with ECFWA? We are recruiting new board members. To learn more, reach out to secretarytreasurer@ecfwa.ca.
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Membership renewals
Memberships expire April 30. Visit www.ecfwa.ca/membership to renew!
Set up your online profile and pay online, or pay by cheque or e-transfer.
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IFAJ Travel opportunity
The International Seed Federation is sponsoring up to 15 IFAJ-member journalists’ attendance at the 2025 Congress in Turkey, May 19-21. Sponsorship includes travel, accommodation and registration. Apply here: https://ifaj.fillout.com/t/rHBa7tKrx3us
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Alltech Young Leaders
Applications are now open for the 2025 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Program—a unique opportunity for agricultural journalists aged 35 and under to gain international recognition and boost their careers. This milestone class marks the 20th year of the IFAJ/Alltech Young Leader Award program, a great partnership that has strengthened guilds and boosted careers since 2005. Learn more and apply.
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Enter your work to win!
The IFAJ Star Prize 2025 is your chance to have your work recognized among the best agricultural journalism worldwide.
Entries due June 15.
Find out more. |
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Welcome to new members!
Chris Thomson, OFA
James McVicar, OFA
Kaylee Coverdale, OFA
Tyler Brooks, OFA
Colleen Malcolm, Syngenta
Madeline Musselman, Hendrix Genetics
Esther Kelly, photographer
Carla Hanisch, student
Mel Luymes, Rural Voice
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