CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A national organization of advisors helping farmers has made its way to P.E.I.
The first P.E.I. chapter of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA) started in December 2018.
CAFA is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to assisting farm businesses by increasing the skills and knowledge of farm advisors. Its mission is to continually improve the quality of advice being given to farm producers and their families, including agribusiness.
“It’s a group of advisors that meet monthly and discuss all things agriculture to help each other become better advisors to our farm clients,” said Chris MacPhee, chair of the P.E.I. chapter.
CAFA members belong to professions that work closely with farmers.
They include: accountants, lawyers, financial planners, bankers, insurance brokers, trust officers, agrologists, agriculture economists, home economists, educators and family therapists.
Farmers are also welcome to join.
“Any farmers interested in the topic of the month could certainly benefit from attending and being connected to advisors that are as passionate about agriculture as they are,” said MacPhee, who is also an accounting manager with MRSB in Charlottetown.
There are six members so far. Prior to the P.E.I. chapter opening, the nearest chapter of CAFA to the Island is in Eastern Ontario.
The P.E.I. chapter meets once a month to discuss how to be better advisors to clients.
MacPhee said some topics discussed so far have included taxes, land regulations, succession planning, and more.
For the next meeting, there will be a presentation about farmers mentoring farmers by the P.E.I. Farm Centre.
