National Farmers Union / L'Union nationale des fermiers

09/01/2026

Last week, the NFU hosted an International Agroecology Brigade in Katarokwi (Kingston), Ontario. Agroecology brigades are a way for farmers and their communities to gather and work together to meet the material and social needs of their communities, build solidarity, and exchange knowledge. This brigade was a three day gathering of farmers, farm workers, Indigenous land stewards and allies - participants did farm labour on 4 different farms in the area and took part in political education sessions about Black and Indigenous food sovereignty and agroecology.

This brigade is a collaborative project of National Farmers Union / l’Union nationale des fermiers Canada’s International Programs Committee and BIPOC Caucus and Organización Boricuá, an organization that promotes agroecology and climate justice as vehicles for transformation towards food sovereignty and social justice in Puerto Rico. Both the NFU and Organización Boricuá are members of La Via Campesina a global movement that brings together organizations representing small- and medium-scale farmers, peasants, agricultural workers, rural women, and indigenous communities.

Marissa Reyes from Organización Boricuá explains: “Brigades bring the idea that we can share the struggle and also the solutions. The main idea is simple: we just take care of each other. Sometimes the work is too hard so why don’t we do it together and make it easier? Since the hurricanes of 2017 in Puerto Rico, receiving solidarity around the world was important to overcoming the crisis because we know we are not alone.”

We are so grateful for everyone involved! Become a member of the NFU and sign up to our newsletter

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La semaine dernière, l’UNF a accueilli une brigade internationale d’agroécologie à Katarokwi (Kingston), en Ontario. Les brigades d’agroécologie permettent aux fermiers et à leurs communautés de se rassembler et de travailler ensemble pour répondre aux besoins matériels et sociaux de leurs communautés, renforcer la solidarité et échanger des connaissances. Cette brigade a réuni pendant trois jours des fermiers, des ouvriers agricoles, des gardiens des terres autochtones et des alliés.

08/27/2026

The NFU mourns the loss of Marie Burge, a fierce advocate for social transformation.

Marie was a founding member of the Cooper Institute, a PEl organization built to support and empower grassroots organizations in their struggle for social justice. The Cooper Institute is dedicated to furthering food sovereignty and seed sovereignty on PEI; among many other projects, it has created a network of seed libraries across PEI for the benefit of all Island communities. Marie was also a founding member of the Coalition for the Protection of PEI Lands, a passionate collective of Islanders fighting for the protection of farm, forest, and urban land across the Island. Among these many important projects, Marie found the time to advocate for proportional representation and a basic income guarantee for all, issues that have been deeply important to the NFU for decades.

Marie will be deeply missed. The NFU sends condolences to her family, friends and all the people she touched throughout her life.

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L’UNF déplore la perte de Marie Burge, ardente défenseuse de la transformation sociale.

Marie était membre fondatrice de Cooper Institute, un organisme de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard créé pour soutenir et autonomiser les organisations communautaires dans leur lutte pour la justice sociale. Le Cooper Institute se consacre à la promotion de la souveraineté alimentaire et de la souveraineté des semences sur l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard;
parmi ses nombreux projets, il a mis sur pied un réseau de banques de semences à travers l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard au profit de toutes les collectivités insulaires. Marie était également membre fondatrice de la Coalition pour la protection des terres de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard, un collectif passionné d’insulaires luttant pour la protection des terres agricoles, forestières et urbaines à travers l’île. Parmi ces nombreux projets importants, Marie trouvait le temps de militer en faveur de la représentation proportionnelle et d’un revenu de base garanti pour tous, des enjeux qui revêtent une importance capitale pour l’UNF depuis des décennies.

08/25/2026

The cuts to AAFC (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) are disastrous. Public science is a public benefit. We can’t afford to lose decades long research.

Head to the link in our bio and tell the federal government to STOP THE CUTS.

The full article “Starving the Science” can be found on
Watershed Sentinel’s website.
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Les coupes budgétaires imposées à AAC (Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada) sont désastreuses. La recherche scientifique publique est un bien commun.

Nous ne pouvons pas nous permettre de perdre des décennies de recherche.

Cliquez le lien dans notre bio et demandez au gouvernement fédéral d’ARRÊTEZ LES COUPES.

08/18/2026

The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan recently signed a deal on the future of the Indian Head and Scott research farms, but for our members who work there, it essentially amouts to nothing. They are still being threatened with job losses, and there is no indication on how the important research programs of these farms will be preserved.

Our President Milton Dyck joined RealAgriculture to discuss the deal, the cuts, and their impact for Canadian farmers.

08/18/2026

Research farms need researchers. Despite a recently signed MOU between Ottawa and Regina, neither government has demonstrated how Indian Head and Scott will continue to operate as research farms with all their researchers being shown the door.

🚜Read our statement: https://www.agrunion.com/despite-federal-provincial-agreement-saskatchewan-research-farms-still-at-risk/

🚨Act now to protect public science and agricultural research in Canada. Send a letter to the Agriculture Minister: www.foodsafetyfirst.ca

08/18/2026

08/18/2026

Despite billions of dollars invested in voluntary conservation and nutrient management programs in Canada and the U.S., agricultural nutrient runoff continues to cause toxic algal blooms in all of the Great Lakes, especially in Lake Erie, as shown in this picture. Mitigating problems like Lake Erie eutrophication and climate change requires moving beyond maximizing crop yields. Sustainability should become the primary goal of a renewed COA, with practices that prioritize long-term soil health, water quality, and environmental protection.

Read our full statement on the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health here: https://nfuontario.ca/news/re-canada-ontario-agreement-on-great-lakes-water-quality-and-ecosystem-health/

08/18/2026

The Guide to the Canadian Organic Standards 2026 Now Published!

To round out the revision of the Canadian Organic Standards, Canadian Organic Growers (COG) and the Organic Federation of Canada (OFC) have collaborated to update the Guide to the Canadian Organic Standards.

This online publication is designed to help producers, processors and other stakeholders to understand the 2026 Canadian Organic Standards. The revised Guide to the Canadian Organic Standards incorporates the many changes made to the Canadian Organic Standards in terms of both required practices and permitted substances. The 2026 Canadian Organic Standards came into force in March 2026, however current farmers, processors and other operators have a grace period of one year to adapt their practices to meet the new standard.

We hope that the Guide to Canadian Organic Standards will help producers and stakeholders better understand and apply the Canadian Organic Standards. We also hope this will enable consumers to better understand and appreciate the work of the farmers, market gardeners and processors who are committed to producing nutritious food while respecting the Canadian environment.

Learn more and download your copies below:
https://cog.ca/guide-to-cos/

Choose Canada Organic Organic Science Cluster 4 Organic BC Organic Alberta Organic Nova Scotia Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network SaskOrganics Ontario Organic Manitoba Organics Growers of Organic Food Yukon PEI Certified Organic Producers Co-Operative L'Union des producteurs agricoles - UPA Young Agrarians National Farmers Union / L'Union nationale des fermiers Régénération Canada

08/18/2026

Last month, Young Agrarians Policy Manager, Ayla Fenton, and Executive Director, Alex Pulwicki, travelled to Halifax for the federal-provincial-territorial agriculture ministers summit, where governments were negotiating priorities for the next Agricultural Policy Framework (2028–2032). We were there to advocate for stronger support for new farmers and greater investment in local food systems.

We're pleased that the resulting Halifax Statement reflects both priorities. The Statement makes a commitment to strengthen support for new entrants and succession planning, and recognizes the need to invest in local and domestic market development, which have not been included in previous frameworks. Read our full press release for more information, and stay tuned as we keep pushing to make sure the resulting programs and funding deliver effectively on these commitments 👉 https://youngagrarians.org/young-agrarians-halifax-statement/

Looking ahead to this fall and winter, Young Agrarians will be building a government relations strategy focused on connecting new, young, and equity-deserving farmers directly with the policymakers and program designers shaping the next policy framework.

We believe it's essential that government hears directly from farmers about the barriers and challenges. We are looking for farmers to participate in government relations training and lobby days. If you're interested in learning more or getting involved, reach out to Ayla at [email protected].

08/18/2026

Where have you seen our Species At Risk - Farmers NS posters?

They are popping up all across NS / Mi'kma'ki. Thanks to everyone who has been placing them around and for spreading the word about how we can work collectively for stronger local, agroecological food systems.

If you are an eater, farmer, or farm worker, and you want to know more about and join the NFU NS's work, follow the links in our bio or email us [email protected] to be added to our email list.

Thanks to Ally for popping this SARF poster up in Pictou!