Welcome to another new year! 2020 was a whirlwind for many of us, and farmers are already busy planning for the 2021 season. EFAO is excited to offer several in-depth courses and workshops over the winter, geared towards all experience levels. Join us!
Can’t attend live? No problem! Most courses and webinars will be recorded, and all registrants will receive links to recordings so you can watch them at your convenience. You can even purchase recorded 2020 EFAO Conference sessions, or featured sessions recorded from the Ignatius New Farmer Training Program! Simply register for the events online and you will be given access to all live and recorded content.
Wishing you had attended the Virtual EFAO Conference in early December? Have some time to catch-up on missed sessions this winter? Session recordings are available for purchase as a bundle! Recordings include all 24 regular conference sessions, and 3 virtual farm tours. For more information about individual sessions, view the full conference program here.
Recordings will be sent to registered participants starting on January 4 and within 48h of registration between January 4 to January 31.
Highlights from the New Farmer Training Program
Did you miss the 2020 Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program? This bundle of 12 recorded webinars spanning the entire program, plus 8 of the pre-recorded virtual field day tours, is for you!
All recordings can be watched on your own time, and there will be two online meet ups for participants to meet other new farmers and discuss what they have learned. The first zoom meet up will be January 27th at 7pm and the second will be February 24th at 7pm.
Introduction to Holistic Management
Jan 14 – March 25
Holistic Management helps farmers discover tools to make better, more informed decisions to reach your family and farm goals. Participants will work to develop an initial holistic goal, a draft financial plan and, depending on the operation, a grazing plan or crop or garden plan.
This course is for farmers of any experience level who are new to holistic management, though it might be especially beneficial for those who have some experience farming and managing their own operation.
Small Grains Meet-up with Brett Israel
Jan 14
Join Brett Israel of 3Gen Organic for our January Small Grains meet-up. Hear about Brett’s experience growing small grains and how they have used small grains in their hog operation. Bring your friends and some questions. Learn more about Brett and 3Gen here. This meet-up will not be recorded.
You can hear more from Brett on Twitter @israel_brett
Understanding your Soil Test with Ken Laing
Feb 3 & 10
Soil testing for nutrients and biology are important management techniques to help organic farmers increase yields, improve crop quality, reduce weed problems and improve soil health. Learn how to take a soil sample, where to send it and how to understand the results, plus gain an understanding of what your nutrient and biological goals should be. The second webinar will consider what amendments and/or cover crops you might use to correct deficiencies you find. This workshop will be useful for growers of all sizes.