CFWF - Canadian Farm Writers' Federation Information

The Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation (CFWF) serves the common interests of agricultural journalists, including reporters, editors and broadcasters as well as those in business and government whose primary responsibility is agricultural communications. The CFWF represents more than 350 members who belong to regional and provincial organizations. On June 20, 1955 five well-connected farm writers came together at the Agricultural Institute of Canada annual meeting in Edmonton. Several meetings followed and Tom Leach, of CBC, Dick Beamish of the Western Producer, Jack Cram, Western editor of the Family Herald, Frank Jacobs of Canadian Cattlemen and Don Baron, of Country Guide became the founding fathers of the Canadian Farm Writers’ Association. The organization of regional associations, and a change in name to the Canadian Farm Writers Federation followed soon after. The original vision of the organization was to have western and eastern associations under the umbrella of the national organization. However, the desire of British Columbia to have its own organization resulted in the four western provinces forming their own groups, with the east maintaining one association. Quebec farm writers have always had their own organization separate from CFWF. The basic structure of the organization continues today, with six regional associations under the national umbrella.