Howden Thompson is a freelance writer who writes for such publications as Ontario Farmer and Farm Credit Canada’s Agri Success weekly email newsletter. She has been a member of the ECFWA since 2000 and, in that capacity, has served as an ECFWA board member and as a member of the 2004 CFWF conference planning committee.  Howden Thompson and her family farm near Caledon, Ontario.

In her application, Howden Thompson highlighted her interest in the chance to enhance her professional skills and connections.

Said Howden Thompson, "One of the most important benefits I have personally gained from my professional agricultural journalism career is the opportunity to broaden my thinking “beyond my own farm gate”. She added, “As a delegate within this much larger national forum, I will have the opportunity to dialogue and engage with decision makers, agricultural communicators and farm operators from across Canada. An open mind that has been fed and nourished with new and stimulating experiences will bring a renewed energy and edge to my writing for my clients.

Following her return from this year's conference in Edmonton, Howden Thompson will provide both photos and articles for ECFWA's newsletter and website as well as for her own publications. She will also be blogging from a website that she has developed to share her conference experiences: http://web.me.com/anne_thompson1/CFWF_2009/Welcome.html

More details on the CFWF conference, planned for September 10-12 in Edmonton can be found on the Alberta Farm Writers’ Association at http://www.afwa.ca/