About us
The TAA supports and advocates on behalf of individuals, businesses and organizations who are actively engaged (or wish to be actively engaged) in agri-food-related activities such as farming, food harvesting, production, processing, manufacturing or distribution with the intention of selling of generating revenue.
The Territorial Agrifood Association (TAA) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization based in Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada that was formed in 2020 to represent members of the agri-food value chain across the territory.
TAA was born from the Territorial Farmers Association and the NWT Food Network to unite commercial food growers, processors, manufacturers, chefs, restaurants, and others in the commercial food industry in the NWT. TAA Board of Directors, staff, members, and supporters, along with government and funding partners are working together to drive the agrifood sector forward.
The TAA develops Annual Operational Plans to guide and outline how our strategic plan will be implemented in our rapidly growing sector. This allows us to be flexible and responsive while still focused on our goals. We are committed to ensuring that the operational plans include evaluation and measurable indicators of success.
Our strategic pillars sit under our overarching organizational values and our primary intention of sector development. We recognize that building a sector takes time and have included lofty intentions to help motivate us to work tirelessly for our sector. We conduct annual performance reviews of everything we do.
MISSION
The TAA promotes,
supports, and advocates for a sustainable, competitive, resilient agrifood industry
in the NWT through entrepreneurship
and innovation.
VALUES
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Entrepreneurship
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Innovation
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Inclusivity
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Sustainability
THE TAA WORKS TO:
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Unite all people interested in commercial agrifood endeavors in the Northwest Territories
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Advocate and lobby for the mutual interests of our members
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Secure public support in the NWT for policies and regulations related to all aspects of agrifood
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Contribute to evidence-based agrifood policy by actively researching and developing policy recommendations on key issues that impact our members
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Participate in and support agrifood research
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Deliver professional development opportunities through knowledge-sharing and training programs
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Enhance public awareness and understanding of the NWT agrifood sector and its importance to the NWT through public education
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Build partnerships within the Canadian agri-food sector
2023/2024 BOARD
Kevin Wallington
President,
AGRICULTURAL SPECIALIST
Alex McMeekin
Vice-President,
GROWER
Gregory Heist
GROWER
Jocelyn Apps
MARKET GARDENER
Sheila Warren
OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Janet has been in the NWT for more than 25 years and brings a background in entrepreneurship and market development as well as experience in food processing and food marketing in the NWT. She is the operational lead in bringing our projects and initiatives to life and leads our amazing team of staff and contractors. Janet also offers Notary Services for members through our Yellowknife office.
Janet can be reached at ed@nwtagrifood.ca
Janet Dean
MBA, MED, PMP