Agriculture writers and communicators from across Canada and around the world are invited to Quebec City on September 28-30 to experience Quebec – land of culture and agriculture.
The Canadian Farm Writers Federation (CFWF) and Association des communicateurs et rédacteurs de l’agroalimentaire (ACRA) are holding a special joint annual conference. This is only the second time our two organizations have joined together to learn and share ideas about farm journalism and agricultural communications in Canada.
The conference tours and professional development sessions will be presented in both English and French. Given this unique opportunity, CFWF has also invited members of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists to attend the conference.
“This conference is the best setting for professional development, especially for our members who are freelance writers that often work in isolation,” says Sharon Grose, president of the Eastern Canada Farm Writers’ Association (ECFWA), the CFWF regional association tasked with planning this year’s conference. “You will be exploring a new area with people from around the world who share a common interest in agriculture and yet also offer their own unique perspective on different aspects of the industry.”
Conference attendees can choose from one of three farm tours that each highlight an important element of Quebec agriculture.
La Beauce will feature entrepreneurial production with stops at a Holstein breeder that markets embryos and livestock internationally, a vineyard with more than 7,000 vines specifically cultivated for the harsh winter climate, a farm producing hops for craft breweries, and an apple orchard and processor.
Ile d’Orleans will feature local food and offer a taste of history. Tour stops include a berry and sweet potato farm, an award-winning artisanal cheese maker, and a black current liquer producer.
Ile d’Orléans
Quebec technopole will feature stops at innovative institutions within the agri-food sector in Quebec City. The Research Centre in Animal Health and Agri-Environment, a dairy and vegetable farm, the IGA supermarket listed as one of 25 ‘must see’ supermarkets in the world, and the Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels where you will see a simulator of the gastrointestinal system.
All three tours include a stop at a maple sugar shack so no one will miss their chance to sample the agriculture product Quebec is most known for!
“You’ll learn a lot about Eastern agriculture production during these three farm tours which we hope will generate great memories and inspire your original ag story ideas,” says Éva Larouche, president of ACRA. “This conference is your chance to discover the unique culture of la belle province, but most of all, it is your opportunity to meet the best and most passionate ag communicators.”
The full day of tours will be followed by a day of professional development sessions which will foster discussions on our roles as journalists and communicators, the changing face of trade in the wake of global political events, and the unique policies and programs that influence Quebec agricultural production. The conference will end with a joint banquet and awards ceremony where we will honour the best in agricultural journalism in both official languages.
To learn more about the CFWF ACRA 2017 Conference and to register, go to www.cfwf17.ca. Early bird registration is in effect until July 15, for the low member rate of $150 Canadian.