A New Chapter
Author: Tom Tavani - General Manager
“ Your stories about farming have forever changed me and I will always advocate for agriculture no matter where I am.”
A New Chapter
Unfortunately, I must say goodbye until we meet again. Looking back to 2021, I remember starting my position at the CFFO at a time when the world was in complete turmoil. The “plague was upon us” as I used to say when joking around with farmers dropping off their grain at my local agribusiness I was working at before the CFFO. It was a difficult time for me, just imagine, you are the new leader of an organization, and staff were not in the office. All the ideas I had could not be put into place because I needed a team. Although we would have meetings online with bad internet connections at times, it simply was not the same. I remember saying to God, “Why am I here Lord? I don’t think I can do this”. But I do believe that if God wants you to be somewhere, He will equip you. Slowly, with patience it all came together.
One of the very first items on the list to advocate for was the fertilizer tariffs imposed by our own government to Russia in response to the invasion of the Ukraine. Fertilizer was something I knew very well because I lived it for several years. I delivered it, loaded it, mixed it and even tasted it during very busy days. I knew how important this was to farmers and their livelihood. Knowing that I was in a position that could advocate for change meant so much to me. But God knew that.
As I managed the CFFO, important decisions needed to be made along the way which at times did not make me popular amongst the masses, but I knew in my heart it was the correct path to growing the organization. All decisions made were never for personal gain, but to build up this organization to what it is today and asking God to be part of it. Monday morning staff meetings became very important to us because as we looked ahead for that week, we took time aside to read a devotional followed by prayer. This initiative began a week or so into my new role in 2021 and stayed. It’s very rare today that a leader labels their staff team as family.
The staff at CFFO are extremely talented in their own way and have contributed immensely to every AGM, district meeting, and farm show. To Pauline Todd, Charlotte Cuthbert, Paul Bootsma and Stephen Sutcliffe, I say thank you with my whole heart because you have made the CFFO office a great place to work but also know that you have made a friend for life.
Have you ever felt the pillar of cloud and fire move in your life (Exodus 13:21)? I did! One day in early December 2025 while visiting Mamertine prison in Rome Italy, something happened to me that changed my trajectory because this is where scholars believe Second Timothy was written and Saints Peter and Paul were imprisoned. When I came back to Canada, I reread the book of Acts along with first and second Timothy and began thinking of going back into Christian Ministry.
There was an angst to talk to people about Christ, to help the widows and orphans and to feed the poor. My next chapter will be leading an organization that has been around since 1934 called The Slavic Gospel Association Canada. They are dedicated to reaching people in Slavic countries who are facing hardship, offering practical help, spiritual encouragement, and the life-changing message of the Gospel. To stand with local churches and equip them to shine Christ’s hope in the places that need it most.
The decision to leave the CFFO was not easy at all, in fact very difficult for me personally because of the great staff and supportive board members who stood by me. Thank you to all of districts and members across Ontario who I have had a chance to meet over the years. Your stories about farming have forever changed me and I will always advocate for agriculture no matter where I am.
Peace be with you all.
Thomas Tavani
Long-Term Thinking for Today’s Issues
The CFFO Commentary represents the opinions of the writer and does not necessarily represent CFFO policy.