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Prez Says
As this issue of The Nib lands in your inbox, many ECFWA members are looking forward to connecting with colleagues at the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation conference in London next week. These gatherings are always a valuable opportunity to learn, share ideas and strengthen the relationships that make our profession so rewarding.
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That same spirit of connection and shared learning continues beyond the conference, with more opportunities coming up for ECFWA members to gather, learn and be inspired closer to home.
On October 14, we’ll be heading behind the scenes at Sportswood Printing in Woodstock for an exclusive tour of one of the facilities responsible for bringing so many publications to life. As writers, editors and communicators, we spend much of our time focused on creating content, but this event offers a chance to see what happens after we hit “send.”
The tour will be hosted by Ben Lantheir and followed by lunch and networking at Tempo Restaurant, giving members the opportunity to connect, exchange ideas and enjoy a great conversation.
Whether you’re joining us at the CFWF conference or taking part in the Sportswood tour, I hope you’ll make time to engage with your fellow members.
I look forward to seeing many of you soon.
Kristy Nudds
ECFWA 2026-27 President
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Professional Development Tour
Join the Eastern Canadian Farm Writers’ Association for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Sportswood Printing in Woodstock, Ontario.
As publishing technology continues to evolve, understanding today’s printing process can help writers, editors and communicators make more informed decisions when preparing content for print. From file preparation and colour management to modern press technology and finishing, this tour will provide valuable insight into what happens after you hit “send.”
Hosted by Ben Lantheir, our group will tour the Sportswood Printing facility and learn how commercial printing has adapted to changing technology, increased efficiencies and the evolving needs of publishers and clients. You’ll gain a greater appreciation for the craftsmanship, precision and innovation involved in bringing magazines, books and other printed materials to life.
Following the tour and Q&A session, we’ll continue the conversation over lunch at Tempo Restaurant—a great opportunity to network with fellow farm writers while sharing ideas and experiences.
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Wednesday, October 14, 2026
10:00 a.m. to noon tour
Followed by a networking lunch at at Tempo Restaurant
Tour Location:
Sportswood Printing
(Barney Plant)
1001 Dundas Street
Woodstock, ON N4S 0A8
Lunch Location:
Tempo Restaurant
428 Dundas Street
Woodstock, ON N4S 1C1
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CFWF 2026 is only a week away
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In just a few days ECFWA is hosting the national conference in London, Ontario.
- Thursday pre-tour to the Outdoor Farmshow
- Friday farm tours
- Saturday professional development sessions
- Evening awards banquet
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Thank you to our CFWF 2026 sponsors
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CFWF 2026 Conference Bursary Winners Announced
ECFWA offered two $1,000 CFWF conference bursaries for members to attend the CFWF national conference in London, Ontario this upcoming September 17-19, 2026.
Congratulations to the successful applicants, Karen Dallimore (Orton, Ontario) and Carla Hanisch (Singhampton, Ontario) who were awarded the bursaries ahead of their planning for the CFWF Conference, Crowning Agchievements.
Interested individuals were encouraged to submit an application detailing their involvement in ECFWA and/or CFWF, and what they expect to do with the knowledge gained from the conference.
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Member spotlight: Jane Robinson
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Jane Robinson has built a career translating complex agricultural and scientific information into stories that inform, engage, and inspire. Owner of Write for Work, she specializes in turning technical research and industry expertise into clear, compelling communications for diverse audiences. Influenced early by her father’s work as an agricultural communicator and filmmaker, Jane developed a lifelong appreciation for the art of uncovering stories and making specialized knowledge accessible and relevant.
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We asked Jane to reflect on her path into agricultural communications, the topics that inspire their work, and what keeps them passionate about telling the stories behind food and farming.
What drew you to farm writing?
My father. He was an agricultural communicator, independent filmmaker and storyteller. I was intrigued by how he learned about diverse subjects (from grape production and farm equipment to water conservation and scoring dairy cows) and then created communications to clearly and engagingly share them with the intended audience. From an early age, I knew that I wanted to be part of that craft.
What topics or issues do you most enjoy covering?
I really enjoy the challenge of taking technical/research information and finding ways to connect with audiences by turning the results into an interesting and relevant story.
What’s one story or project that stands out in your career so far?
I don’t have any single stories that stand out. But the memorable ones are with the sources I interview – researchers, farmers, industry – who are passionate about what they do and want to share their knowledge with others. Those stories are fun to write.
Why does farm writing matter to you today?
Writing about agriculture continues to inspire me because it is different every day. There will always be interesting stories to share, new research to break down into manageable bites, and innovations to explain. And there will always be a need for writers to craft these stories.
What do you do for fun?
Nature is where I go for fun – hiking, kayaking and birdwatching.
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Welcome to our new members
Sandra Miller, Canadian Agricultural Safety Association
Susan Blundell, Grain Farmers of Ontario
Olivia Sarrazin, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
James Wood, Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food
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www.ecfwa.ca
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Missed a webinar?
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