Join us for an insightful field day dedicated to integrating appropriate technology with crop varieties adapted to our environmental constraints, culinary goals, and techniques within a hand-worked, family-scale food system. Carrick Seeds is a family-run company that grows and sells seeds from their farm in Bruce County, Ontario. Theo, alongside his brother Andre, will lead us through this informative tour, sharing their expertise in garden permaculture, seed production, small-scale field crops, and small-scale equipment. Their knowledge and passion will inspire you to implement sustainable farming practices on your own farm.

Event Highlights:

• Focus on Seed Saving and Staple Crops: Engage in discussions about the cultivation of staple crops such as small grains, dry legumes, corn, amaranth, and root vegetables. Learn how these crops are adapted to specific environmental constraints and culinary goals. Visit the isolated seed gardens to learn about seed production.
• Equipment Showcase: Get a hands-on demonstration of various farming equipment, including garden tools, threshing and seed cleaning equipment, and cooking and preserving tools. Explore the tools and techniques essential for growing and saving seed alongside food production. Embrace human-scaled technology—tools that meet human needs without perpetuating ecological problems. This approach prioritizes simplicity and sustainability as the family continually works to end their dependence on fossil fuels, plastics, and electricity.
• Cooking and Food Storage Technologies: Understand how cooking technologies and the ecology influence crop selection. Demonstrations will include cooking and preserving equipment, such as an outdoor rocket stove, that impact our culinary practices
• Tour: Enjoy a visit to our seed gardens, with one located about 800 meters away along a tractor lane, and equipment demonstrations in our barn.

Accessibility information

A washroom is available in the house for your convenience.

In order to make our training and community building events accessible to all farmers and future farmers in Ontario, EFAO strives to reduce financial barriers for registration by using a Pay What You Can model. To register please complete this form!