In agriculture, the winter months are typically filled with commodity meetings, conferences, and farm shows. It’s a time to connect with those within your own circle of agriculture and those across the broader industry. This year, I was decidedly disconnected from many events that I normally attend. I’ve just returned to full-time work after a three-month medical leave of absence. When I wasn’t at the doctor or physiotherapy, I used the time to focus on family, friends, and small projects at home. Not only did I not attend ag events, I rarely turned on the news, picked up a newspaper, or looked at Twitter. I gave myself a mental break along with the physical break I was undertaking. And it was great to leave behind the stress of staying on top of the latest news and industry developments for a little while.
The time off gave me renewed energy and focus to tackle both my regular job and activities for ECFWA and CFWF. And now that I’m reconnected – I’m looking forward to upcoming events that will provide me with an opportunity to engage with the full spectrum of our membership – from freelancers to ag communicators. I hope you take advantage of these opportunities as well.
The best PD investment I ever made as a farm writer
By Lilian Schaer, 2019 CFWF Travel Bursary recipient
More than a decade ago, I was fortunate enough to attend my first-ever International Federation of Agricultural Journalists’ congress. It was 2007 and, nearing the end of my term as ECFWA president, I had just recently been selected as co-chair along with Owen Roberts of the 2011 congress that was going to be hosted in Canada for the first time since 1967.
That first IFAJ experience took me to Japan, and after 13 congresses, IFAJ remains – next to the CFWF annual conference and, of course, my ECFWA membership – the best investment I can make in my professional development as a farm writer.
Here’s why.
IFAJ business: The congress exposes participants to the business of IFAJ. The organization represents more than 5,000 agricultural journalists and communicators in over 50 countries, and it’s at the annual congress that key decisions are made. That includes developing policy around important issues like freedom of the press, as well as voting on new member applications, initiating new programs and support for IFAJ members, and making important decisions on how IFAJ should be funded and governed.
Farm tours: Farm tours are always a highlight of any gathering of agricultural writers and communicators, whether in Ontario, in Canada or around the world. The same is true of IFAJ, except there, the international destinations mean I’ve had a chance to experience farm tours unlike anything I’ve ever participated in at home: from pistachios in California and crocodiles and bananas in Australia, to avocados and wild game in South Africa and citrus in Argentina.
Learning: The issues facing farmers around the world can vary depending on climate, location, or geopolitical circumstances, but there are some fundamental challenges that are common across borders. Access to labour, pesticides and crop protection, climate change and trade are just a few examples, and as an agricultural writer, it is fascinating to me how those in agriculture deal with similar problems in different parts of the world. Having that kind of global perspective also means I can do a better job reporting on those issues.
Stories: As a full-time professional freelancer, I self-fund my IFAJ congress participation. This means I depend on the program of each congress to offer up story ideas and opportunities. Not only does that let me bring interesting topics to Canadian readers, but it helps offset some of the cost of attending the congress each year. Some of my more memorable stories:
Strict new phosphorus rules in the Netherlands that are forcing young farmers to make tough choices about their future
The UK’s Millennium Seed Bank that is saving samples of modern plants and their wild relatives to protect against extinction and ensure future plant diversity
A German farmer whose family lost their farm when fleeing East Germany in the 1950s only to get it back after the fall of the wall in 1989
Cold climate apple and grape research in Minnesota that has impact in Ontario
An Australian farm that raises crocodiles for everything from meat to leather
Deep-dive opportunities: In addition to the yearly congress, IFAJ periodically offers other learning experiences that involve agriculture in countries that are not members of the organization. In 2016, I was lucky enough to be a participant in an Exposure-4-Development tour to China, and in 2019, I had the opportunity to spend a week in Brazil, touring some of their leading farming areas.
Memorable moments: IFAJ is not all farm tours, business and work, although all of that is interesting stuff. Each congress brings with it a chance to have some unique cultural experiences that give you insights beyond just agriculture:
Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef
Game drive in Kruger National Park
Seeing a “penguin crossing” sign on the southern tip of New Zealand (the penguins themselves remained unfortunately elusive!)
Watching Argentinian gauchos herd cattle across a river
Visit a Berlin Wall historic site with a guide who grew up in a West German village near the wall
Having dinner in one of Britain’s famed London guild halls
Representing Canada: There is always a certain amount of pride when you can represent your country in an international context. And the Canadian contingent at IFAJ has most certainly grown over the years, from the five of us in Japan in 2007 to around 20 or so in Minnesota in 2019.
Friendships and networks: Above all else, though, this has been the winner for me. The network of international ag writing and farming contacts is invaluable, and the friendships that have developed with people from around the world are absolutely priceless.
The 2020 congress will be in Denmark June 24 – 29. The country is a global leader in agricultural innovation and sustainability and they’ve prepared a topnotch program for all the guests they’re getting ready to welcome in only a few short months. You can learn more at www.ifaj2020.dk. If you’re interested in attending, consider submitting your application for the Bayer CFWF Travel Bursary.
Thank you to Bayer for continuing their long-standing support of the CFWF Travel Bursary – they’ve made it possible for many CFWF members to have an IFAJ experience that they otherwise would never have had. I mostly certainly appreciated being selected as the 2019 bursary recipient!
February 26: The Right Rate
1:30 p.m.
Syngenta, 140 Research Lane, Guelph OR via webinar
Join ECFWA for a webinar focusing on setting rates and expectations as a freelancer. View from the comfort of your own home or join us for a 'viewing party' at Syngenta, with a pay-your-own-way social/dinner to follow. For more information, or to register, visit www.ecfwa.ca/events.
March 4: London Farm Show social
Noon Gateways Casino Restaurant
Join your host, ECFWA president Rachel Telford, at a lunch-hour social during the 2020 London Farm Show! Pay-your-own-way. RSVP: www.ecfwa.ca/events.
March 18: Ottawa Farm Show social
6:00 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn, 2400 Alert Road
Kelsey Johnson, ECFWA first vice-president invites you to join her for a social at the Ottawa Farm Show. Join your fellow farm writers for a pay-your-own-way dinner and social hour. RSVP: www.ecfwa.ca/events.
May 12: ECFWA AGM
Save the date! This year's AGM will be held in the Cobourg, ON area.
Apply for the 2020 CFWF bursary to attend the IFAJ conference
A bursary of up to $2,500 is available to a CFWF member to attend the 2020 IFAJ congress in Denmark. The deadeline to apply is March 4, 2020. Find out more about this unique opportunity!
Have you ever thought about getting more involved with ECFWA? Enthusiastic volunteers are wanted for the 2020-21 ECFWA board of directors! If you would like more information, please contact ECFWA president, Rachel Telford. Elections will take place at the ECFWA AGM on May 12.
Canada is hosting the 2023 IFAJ Congress in Calgary, Alberta. All CFWF members are invited to join the planning team. For more information, visit the ECFWA website or contact the congress co-chair, Trevor Bacque.
Rachel Telford, ECFWA President
More than a decade ago, I was fortunate enough to attend my first-ever International Federation of Agricultural Journalists’ congress. It was 2007 and, nearing the end of my term as ECFWA president, I had just recently been selected as co-chair along with Owen Roberts of the 2011 congress that was going to be hosted in Canada for the first time since 1967.
