Winter 2026 Newsletter

Read the Newsletter here.

Why do people volunteer? And why do they choose the Friends of the Farm? In our Winter Newsletter, Volunteer Director Christina Fiedorowicz looks at volunteering in Canada, and the reasons people do it. She then identifies why the Friends of the Farm is such an attractive option for our wonderful volunteers.

As Christina writes, it’s love of the Farm that unites us as volunteers. One special object of our affection is the huge, damaged oak tree in the Arboretum beside Prince of Wales Drive. Eric Jones writes about this unique tree, Bebb’s Oak, and how it is faring since it was struck by the 2019 windstorm.

We are now frequently able to enjoy delicious new apple varieties. For 80 years, Canadians were similarly blessed by horticulturists at the Farm, whose breeding experiments yielded new types of dessert apples. In the newsletter, we look at that work— its successes and shortcomings.

Among other items, you will meet Yves Garcia, our new Membership and Fundraising Director, learn how AAFC scientists have helped solve a genetic puzzle, read about the final 2025 talk in our successful inaugural Speaker’s Sessions, and re-live the stunning

display by AAFC staff of annuals in the Ornamental Gardens.