Who We Are

The Eastern Ontario Agri-Food Network is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to coordinating the development of the local agri-food sector in Eastern Ontario and fostering dialogue between its members and partners. The EOAN operates in Prescott-Russell, Stormont Dundas & Glengarry, Cornwall, and the Ontario portion of Akwesasne.

The EOAN is growing. We have a local food brand to connect producers and consumers, build relationships, and create a community that takes pride in the food they grow and eat.

The Opportunity

The EOAN is looking for an organized and energetic Special Events Coordinator to be the point person at local markets and events related to our SavourEastON brand and build our content library to further promote our members. The ideal candidate for this team is a self-starter, with a ‘boots on the ground’ mentality, who can work with a dynamic team, is great with people, and can adapt in a non-profit and ever-changing environment.  Reporting to the Executive Director through the  Member Services Coordinator, the Special Events Coordinator is a temporary position that will work closely with both the Member Services Coordinator and the Executive Director.

Your Impact

Events:

• Spearhead all local market events and other event and representation opportunities 
• Drafting and sending emails and coordinating dates
• Work closely with the team to establish calendars and event priorities
• Coordinating with various members and organizations to promote products and experiences
• Ensure EOAN representation
• Identify the requirements and expectations for each event
• Recruiting new members and ambassadors
• Liaise with vendors, exhibitors, and stakeholders during the event to ensure appropriate EOAN support
• Manage all event set-up, tear down, and follow-up processes
• Assess an event’s overall success and submit findings
• Provide event leadership and support for all other EOAN events and third party events
• Develop and maintain an annual events calendar with a limited events budget
• Use websites and social media to disseminate information and promote special occasions or relevant news to members and supporters.

Content:

• Develop and maintain a content library in line with the new SavourEastON brand. Work closely with the Member Services Coordinator to organize and develop marketing assets.
• Local producers have compelling stories about challenges, determination and triumph. Determine how much and what kinds of creative assets should be created in partnership with producers to ensure we capture this vital content that drives home our brand story and helps us connect with consumers, donors, government and prospective partners.
• Assist with the social media calendar and ensure a regular cadence of digital content. 
• Assist in content development for all social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Website). Effectively conceptualize, edit, and record video and other visual content for these digital platforms.
• Collect and interpret demographic data to develop best practices that yield best results in our digital outreach
• Assist the Member Services Coordinator in writing blog posts (producer stories, recipes, and features)

What You Bring

• 1-3 years of experience working in marketing, event management or project management; or be currently enrolled in a related field of study
• A passion for our work in the community and ambition to understand the dynamics and opportunities of local food production, delivery, and consumption
• Familiarity with Eastern Ontario geography and culture
• Bilingualism (French and English) is a requirement, written and spoken
• Creative mind that can bring ideas to life in an organized and logical manner
• Familiarity with various software/tools, methodologies, and best practices
• Tech-savvy with the ability and interest to learn and use new technologies efficiently and quickly
• A positive attitude with the ability to problem solve, lead, and adapt to any situation
• Excellent time management and organization skills and ability to multi-task across many projects
• The ability to dive in, be proactive, and collaborate on different projects
• Driving is essential for this position. You must have your G2/G license as you will have to represent the EOAN at various events and local markets.
• You must have the ability to lift heavy (up to 25lbs) items during event set-up and take down

Why Join Us?

• A meaningful opportunity to make a difference in your local community and to have first-hand contact with the producers and people who champion local food initiatives and play a key role in feeding our communities
• The pride of being part of a highly respected, high impact community organization
• A stimulating, fast paced professional opportunity in a team of like-minded ‘world-changers’
• Flexible work arrangements
• Home based employment with local travel and outdoor events.
• Limitless opportunities to sample and review exceptional Eastern Ontario local food products

Working Conditions

• Work schedule includes weekdays, weekends and occasional evenings to allow participation to local events and markets, with heavier demands during high season.
• Employees are required to communicate with the public and EOAN members in both official languages and communicate in the language of their choosing.
• Employees work from home and are required to have access to a work space, computer/laptop, cell phone and high speed internet.
• Salary will be 17.20$ per hour.
• Duration of employment is for 9 weeks at 30 hours per week. (270 total hours) 
• Starting date is slated for June 2025.

Your Application

If you are ready to make a change in your local community and become a part of our team at the EOAN, send your resume to Eric Collard, Executive Director, by email at admin@agro-on.ca

Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada throughout the duration of their employment with EOAN. 

EOAN is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

EOAN is committed to ensuring a barrier-free, accessible and inclusive work environment. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Upon individual request, we will endeavor to remove barriers to the hiring process to accommodate candidates with disabilities, providing the applicant has met the bona-fide requirements of the employment position. Please inform us should accommodation be required at any point during the recruitment and selection process.

We thank all applicants for their interest in the Eastern Ontario Agri-Food Network, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

These organizations are looking for more board members!

Prescott Russell Recreational Trail: If you have any questions contact info@sentierprtrail.com

RTO 9: Apply here!

UCFO: If you have any questions contact info@ucfo.ca

If you are interested, look into it! You might be the perfect fit!

We’ve created a form for members who want to let us know if they qualify as a MiniMarket! To be considered a MiniMarket, you must resell at least three locally made products from other producers.

By joining the program, you’ll gain extra visibility and connect with more local consumers.

Fill out the form today and be part of this exciting opportunity!

Have you been in business for at least one year and have sales of $50K or more and want to grow to $250K? This PAROJetsetter BIZCamp is for you! The PAROJetsetter BIZCamp provides a flexible learning environment where women entrepreneurs can learn alongside a cohort of other women entrepreneurs. Limited availability.

Participants will be encouraged to set goals throughout the BIZCamp all while working at their own pace with online learning modules, group lab sessions, and with individual support from industry experts and PARO Business Counsellors.

Login to the client portal www.myparopath.ca to check out the next cohort registration date or to register.

“The best use of my time this summer, I learnt more in this intensive program from the most inspirational ladies than I have in any other business series. Having women mentors and peers made all the difference. It wasn’t until the PAROJetsetter BIZCamp that I realized all the other courses I had taken had male role models and with very few female-led and highly successful mentors female owners to look up to. This course gave me the confidence to take the next steps into the small business world. Thank you PARO!”

Julia Postigo-Rombola, Naturally Literate Reading Clinic

Candidate profile:

• Woman entrepreneur in BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, NS or NL
• In business at least 2 years of which she earned 50k or more each year in sales
• Looking to scale her company
• Sector agnostic

Jetsetter programme:

• Training and coaching on how to scale a business
• Systems and processes for HR, financial, and procurement
• Online
• Free

Passionate about agriculture and eager to make a difference in the Franco-Ontarian farming community? The Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens (UCFO) is looking for new board members to help guide its mission and support local producers.

Get involved, share your expertise, and contribute to the growth and sustainability of agriculture in our region.

Interested? Learn more and apply today!

We had a fantastic Annual General Meeting last night, filled with insightful discussions, meaningful connections, and a shared excitement for the future. It was truly inspiring to see so many dedicated members and partners come together to support the growth of our local agri-food community.

A big thank you to Ferme Butte et Bine and Fauxmagerie Zengarry for providing the delicious food that added to the warmth and energy of the evening and to the Fauxmagerie for hosting. Your contributions were greatly appreciated!

We are also thrilled to welcome three incredible new members to our Board of Directors:
Lynda from Fauxmagerie Zengarry
Tania from Café Joyeux
Pascal from Sol Air

Your passion and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen and grow our network. We are excited about what we can all accomplish together in 2025 and beyond!

Thank you again to everyone who joined us and contributed to making the AGM such a success. Let’s keep the momentum going as we move forward with new ideas and fresh energy!

PARO is seeking women to participate in our CITs.

A CIT creates a space for women to present their challenges and obstacles to a panel of community partners who provide access to programming, funding, and networks.

Eligibility criteria:

• Majority (50.1%+) woman-owned and woman-led
• Headquartered in any of these provinces: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, NS, or NL
• Be a profitable company
• Operate in the consumer-packaged good space
• Be looking to scale

All events are virtual and free. Clients may only participate in one event.

Agri-Food CIT #6 (22 Jan 2025)

Agri-Food CIT #7 (23 Jan 2025)

1. The CIT’s will be held from 13h00 to 15h00 EST
2. Participation is voluntary and unpaid.
3. Selected participants will be contacted with the details of the CIT.

Discover the competition for Francophone women entrepreneurs just starting out! This is your chance to launch your project like a pro. For more information and to register, visit this link.

Deadline: Submissions must be completed by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 19. Don’t miss this opportunity!

If you are an existing women owned business looking to grow, scale-up, or expand, BizGrowth may be for you. Businesses may have difficulty moving their business to the next level and this program is designed to help businesses increase and capitalize on market opportunities to grow and expand. The purpose is to assist businesses to expand into new markets. Only businesses located in Ontario are eligible for this program.