In early March, many organic farmers and activists across Canada received shocking news from the Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network (ACORN). After almost twenty years of supporting organic farmers and promoting organic food in Atlantic Canada, ACORN was suddenly shutting its doors. All staff were being laid off and the office closed. All planned activities have been suspended.
According to a press release from ACORN, the non-profit organization was in a “precarious financial position” partially due to “a significant loss of money” following the most recent conference. After the “sudden resignation” of the Executive Director in February, the board of directors began to manage the organization and in “the ensuing weeks, the board then took over ACORN’s management and the state of ACORN’s dire finances fully came to light.”
Since then the board members have been looking to the past in one way — closing down an office takes time to pack up materials, deal with bookkeeping and find ways to keep the essential services, such as the website, up and running. The volunteers are also looking back as they try to identify the factors that to the crisis.
Board members are also looking forward as they try to find ways to get through this challenging time while an accountant is assessing the current financial situation. Board members seem optimistic that the organization will surface again, in some form or another.
Meanwhile, the Regional Sector Strategic Plan, which maps a plan for the organic farming community in Atlantic Canada, is scheduled to be completed for May. According to Guy Gautreau, vice-president of ACORN, “We anticipate this report will have recommendations and insights that will serve as a key tool in shaping conversations about the future of the organization and the sector as a whole.”
“There is a general feeling that we're moving out of a crisis management phase and slowly entering a turnaround phase,” says Gautreau.
The ACORN board of directors welcomes ideas from members and others about how to move forward. If you have ideas to share, email the board of directors at admin@acornorganic.org.
— Janet Wallace