About
Governance
The NSFA’s Bylaws, approved by its members, guide the organization’s governance, decision-making, and operations. The most recent version was approved at the 2021 Annual Meeting.
Additionally, the Farm Registration Act outlines the framework for farmer registration and formally recognizes NSFA as a general farm organization. This Act also ensures fair and equitable funding of general farm organizations by farm businesses.
The Council of Leaders
The Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture (NSFA) is governed by a Council of Leaders, an elected governing board responsible for providing strategic direction, setting policies, and ensuring strong governance of the organization. The Council serves as the Federation’s governing body, overseeing operations and ensuring accountability to the NSFA membership.
The Council consists of 8 to 12 elected members, chosen from NSFA’s voting membership at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Following the AGM, the Council elects its officers, including the President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, and Corporate Treasurer-Secretary.
To be eligible for a Council position, candidates must be NSFA members and designated representatives of a farm business. We encourage those actively involved in farm operations to consider leadership roles, even if they are not part of the official ownership structure. In such cases, a designated representative form signed by the farm owner is required.
A call for nominations is issued each fall, at least 45 days before the AGM, with nominations closing 15 days before the AGM.
Beyond its provincial governance responsibilities, the NSFA appoints representatives to national organizations, including the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) and the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC), ensuring that Nova Scotia’s agriculture sector is represented at a national level.
Governing Documents
Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture Bylaws (As approved at the 2021 Annual Meeting)