Participants learned about farmer-led research at a field day hosted by Heather Coffey and Steve Laing of Fiddlehead Farm. MPP Todd Smith and Ontario Trillium Foundation volunteer Nancy Parks were also in attendance to help the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario recognize funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to expand farmer-led research across the province. (Left to right): Ayla Fenton (Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario), Heather Coffey (farmer-researcher and Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario), Nancy Parks (Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant Review Team member), and MPP Todd Smith (Prince Edward – Hastings). (Photo: Submitted / Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario)
The Ontario Trillium Foundation is investing some significant cash into farmer-led research projects in Prince Edward County.
The $362,000 grant will be used to conduct research trials this summer, as local farmers look for better ecological farming practices and share that knowledge across the province.
The programs, run through the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, include webinars and farmer-to-farmer information sharing Ontario-wide, as well as field days and workshops.
There’s also an online database of farmers’ knowledge on ecological subjects, which you can find more on by clicking here.
The EFAO’s Eastern Ontario Research Coordinator Heather Coffey says the program is about cultivating a culture of science and curiosity that supports the innovation of farmers”.
