Come out to meet like-minded farmers with similar goals as yourself. This session is all about sharing the successes, challenges, innovations and strategies that go into growing grain on YOUR farms.

A few farmers from the Small Grains Network across Ontario will start us off with presentations, followed by an open floor for folks to introduce themselves, their operations, share stories and ask questions. Prepare to hear about diverse rotations, organic grain management, using grains to bolster forages for livestock, unique species & more!

Expand your community, make new connections, and get inspired ahead of the growing season at this event.

Speakers:

Andrew St. Jean farms south of New Hamburg, with land on the border of both Oxford and Waterloo County. His home farm has been certified organic since 1999, and Andrew has been farming organically on his own since 2014. On his farm he grows corn, winter wheat, hard red spring wheat, barley, soybeans and hay. Andrew continues to strive to find new ways to farm more efficiently looking to maximize his profit per acre instead of trying to farm more acres.

Ferme Houle Farm is a multi-generational, family-owned and operated farm. Located in Curran, Ontario, we have now been proudly operating for nearly a century. From its humble beginnings as a mixed dairy and potato farm, the last few decades have seen the farm shift its focus to cash crop operations and growing common grains such as corn, soy, buckwheat, wheat, and rye. ​​​​​​​Andre Houle started using regenerative agricultural practices in 2018 and obtained organic certification for the first time in 2021. The farm produces a multitude of products for both human and livestock consumption.

EFAO’s Small Grains Network is funded and supported by the Weston Family Foundation’s Soil Health Initiative.