Tonya Haverkamp, a third-generation egg and pullet farmer, is the 2026 Farm and Food Care Ontario Champion.
“To hear the words that have been shared about me, it’s extremely humbling,” shared a visibly emotional Haverkamp at the FFCO annual general meeting, March 9.
Why it Matters: The Food & Farming Champion award recognizes individuals who excel at opening their barn door and sharing their stories with the non-farming community.
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Haverkamp is considered a cornerstone of public trust initiatives for the egg industry, with a warm, authentic conversational approach to correcting misinformation and replacing it with shared values and human connection.
Haverkamp said that when she began promoting the industry, two per cent of the population were farmers. It’s now down to 1.6 per cent.
“I would challenge each and every one of you and people in your family to get out there and talk about what you do, because it is so important,” she offered. “It’s up to us to speak to consumers, whether we’re in the grocery store, whether we’re on holidays, whether we’re just out at the doctor’s or dentist’s office, about what we do.”
Nominated by Egg Farmers of Ontario, Donna Lange, director of public affairs, said Haverkamp embodies the values of “a true public trust champion.”
“She connects with audiences of all ages in a warm, conversational way that makes the dedication behind high-quality egg production evident to all,” wrote Lange.
The nomination highlighted Haverkamp’s career, defined by “transparent communication, ranging from local classrooms to international development projects in Nepal.”
Her volunteer record ranges from representing the industry at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Canadian National Exhibition and the International Plowing Match to more local events, including Farm and Food Care’s Breakfasts on the Farm and FARMtober Fest.
John Taylor, Farm and Food Care Ontario’s treasurer, said Haverkamp’s most vital work is as a mentor, taking new farmers under her wing and teaching them to share their own stories, the good and the bad, with honesty and pride.
“She advocates because she believes it’s the right thing to do,” said Taylor. “(She’s) an important voice that ensures Ontarians can trust the food on their tables. For her leadership, her enthusiasm and her tireless service to our industry, Tonya Haverkamp is exactly the champion our industry needs.”
