Mission: To collaborate and communicate with Northern Ontario farmers and stakeholders by addressing practical opportunities and challenges to sustainability and profitability. 

Vision: NOFIA strives to be the centre of excellence for agricultural innovation and research in Northern Ontario. 

Strategic Focus 2024-2028

Local Food: Increasing awareness and access to local food in Northern Ontario. 

Technology: Supporting technology adoption in agriculture to promote scalability and address northern challenges. 

Sustainability: Collaborate and partner to ensure long-term sustainability of agriculture in Northern Ontario. 

Mandate:

  • to promote research and development in the field of agricultural products
  • to develop and facilitate basic research through to commercialization
  • to advance the interests of agriculture in Northern Ontario
  • to generate economic development in the agricultural sector in Northern Ontario
  • to facilitate farm innovation across Northern Ontario

Staff

  • Emily Seed, Executive Director
    • emily.nofia@gmail.com
  • Leia Weaver, Project Development Advisor
    • leia.nofia@gmail.com
  • Rachel Kehoe, Communications & Event Coordinator
    • rachel.nofia@gmail.com
  • Ian McLellan, Communications & Events Assistant
    •  ian.nofia@gmail.com

Board:

  • Chair:
    • Yves Gauthier, Cash Crop
  • Directors: 
    • Norm Koch, Cash crops & elevators
    • Jason Desrochers, Beef
    • Adrian Struyk, Dairy & Cash crops
    • Mark Kunkel, Dairy
    • Dennis Jibb, Dairy & Cash crops
    • Rudy Buitenhuis, Dairy, Beef

Advisory Council:

  • Algoma - Patrick Connolly
  • Cochrane - Eddy Haasen
  • East Nipissing/Parry Sound - Lana Reading
  • Kenora - Kebbi Rhyner
  • Manitoulin - Jim Martin
  • Muskoka - Diane Wiber
  • Thunder Bay - Fritz Jaspers
  • West Nipissing/East Sudbury - Joel Olivier
  • Rainy River, Sudbury & Temiskaming Shores are currently vacant.