OUR VISION

"Agriculture is an economically and environmentally sustainable industry that is a benefit to the people of Ontario."

Our Mandate

• Promote sustainable crop production by conserving and enhancing agriculture's basic resource — soil health.
• Develop effective relationships with researchers, agribusiness, organizations and government agencies to further the development and adoption of innovative, practical and economical technology.
• Provide a forum for information and idea sharing.
• Encourage members to participate in IFAO by taking part in workshops and meetings, farm trials, serving on project committees, and hosting farm tours.

HISTORY OF IFAO

In 1986, 15 of the most experienced and dedicated no-till and ridge-till farmers in Ontario and a similar number of extension, research and agribusiness representatives met and formed what became known as the Innovative Farmers. The first objective of the new group was to provide a forum where farmers could exchange ideas and experience and help to accelerate the adoption of no-till and ridge-till crop production systems as a sound agricultural practice.

By 1992, ongoing discussions and collaborations among the various participants had evolved into a large conference that proved the worth of the group's aims. In May 1994, eight former chairmen of past conferences unanimously decided to form a legal entity and incorporated as the Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario.

Since that time, IFAO has fulfilled its original objectives and expanded its scope to introduce many news ways of thinking and managing crop production, the Tillage Ontario site being just one of the most recent examples.

Mission Statement

The mission of IFAO is to facilitate a forum to identify innovative agricultural ideas and to transfer new information.