Behind every great ECFWA event or activity is a team of fantastic volunteers!

During this National Volunteer Week, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who gives of their time to this great organization.

And a shoutout to IFAJ – International Federation of Agricultural Journalists and Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation volunteers, too! We are fortunate to have such dedicated and passionate people who care about our industry and our members.

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.
She also took part in a panel discussion hosted by ECFWA member Bern Tobin
addressing issues around journalists and the changing face of agriculture in the media.
Fellow panelists included CTV reporter Scott Miller and former London Free Press
Reporter turned communications consultant Debora Van Brenk.

McCormack and dairy journalist Sjoerd Hofstee from the Netherlands, both members of
the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists, also spent a few days visiting
farms and farm businesses in southern Ontario.

Alberta Farm Writers’ Federation member Jenn Norrie was at the FFCO conference.
She was joined by ECFWA members Kristy Nudds, Jess McCann, Lauren Miller, Sarah
Andrews, Karen Dallimore, Maggie Van Camp, Christa Ormiston, Kelly Daynard and
Lilian Schaer.

The CFWF board has welcomed Annemarie Pedersen as the managing director of CFWF, effective Feb. 1, 2025.

Annemarie is well-know to many of us as a longtime member of the Alberta Farm Writers’ Association and a co-chair of the 2023 congress of 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.

Annemarie is, in essence, taking over the role of the CFWF secretariat, previously held by CFWF Secretary/Treasurer Hugh Maynard. Hugh is trying hard to retire, so we’ve been working to find the right replacement for him. We’re excited to have Annemarie onboard!

The weeks ahead are focused on the transition of CFWF internal workings to Annemarie, and in the short-term, we will circulate news about upcoming CFWF events – from details about professional development sessions throughout the year and conference details to strategic plans to set our federation on a solid path to our future.

If you have any questions, you can reach me at finnamor@nbnet.nb.ca or 506-863-8797.

Best wishes for a happy and successful 2025,

Allison

Allison Finnamore
CFWF President