Farming in Focus: Real Stories, Real Impact
On April 9, 2026, farmers, food producers, and agricultural partners gathered in Elora for Farm & Food Care Ontario’s (FFCO) Annual Conference, marking a milestone year for the organization with new leadership appointments, national investment, and the celebration of a leading agricultural ambassador.
Participants from across Ontario attended the annual business meeting, where three new directors were welcomed to the Board: Tracy Arts (Ontario Federation of Agriculture), Bryan Fieldhouse (Chicken Farmers of Ontario), and Alan Kruszel (Grain Farmers of Ontario). The organization also recognized the contributions of retiring directors Crispin Colvin, Andrea Veldhuizen, and Steve Lake for their years of service.
The event also featured a major funding announcement delivered via video address by Member of Parliament Dominique O’Rourke. Through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriCompetitiveness Program, FFCO and its counterparts in Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island will receive up to $518,210 in funding between 2026 and 2028. The investment will support national initiatives including the Agri-Communicators’ Network, expanded digital outreach through Faces Behind Food, the seventh edition of The Real Dirt on Farming, and the development of new virtual reality experiences through FarmFood360.ca.
Conference programming included keynote speaker Tyler Heppell, known online as “Potato Ty,” who shared insights on using social media to connect consumers with modern farming practices. Filmmakers Lindsey Middleton and Katie Uhlmann, creators of The Cows Come Home, spoke about storytelling as a tool for strengthening public understanding of agriculture.
A panel of Ontario farmers, including Chris Hiemstra of Clovermead Adventure Farm, Korb Whale of Mapleton’s Organic Dairy Farm and John and Maxine Zekveld of Zekveld’s Garden Market, led a discussion on agricultural outreach, highlighting the growing importance of on-farm experiences and public engagement in building trust.
2026 Food & Farming Champion Award - Tonya Haverkamp
During the conference, FFCO presented its 2026 Food & Farming Champion Award to Tonya Haverkamp, an egg and pullet farmer from the Listowel area. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to building public trust in agriculture. Haverkamp’s work spans more than two decades of outreach, from classrooms and local farm events to international development projects in Nepal. Her approach to open, authentic communication has made her a respected voice within the industry and a mentor to emerging agricultural ambassadors.
Through new leadership, national collaboration, and the recognition of champions like Tonya Haverkamp, Farm & Food Care Ontario continues to strengthen its mission of connecting farmers, food partners, and consumers across the province and beyond.
Photos of the 2026 Annual Conference are available here.
Thank you to our 2026 presenting partners
