All Indigenous growers, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge! Please use the coupon code RIVER2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission.

Join us for a Field Day at Black River Country Gardens, a certified organic farm dedicated to producing high-quality vegetables, strawberries, pastured eggs, and grass-fed beef. This is a great opportunity for farmers and community members to see firsthand how their food is grown and the work that goes into running a diversified organic farm.

During this farm tour, we’ll explore:

• Greenhouse and Market Garden – Learn about their organic vegetable production, from seedling to harvest.
• Strawberry Production – See their organic strawberry fields and learn about their growing methods.
• Grass-Fed Beef Operation – Visit the herd and hear about pasture management for sustainable beef production.
• Pastured Egg Production – Learn how they raise laying hens on pasture for high-quality eggs.
• Horse-Powered Transportation – Meet the horses that help with farm work and daily transportation.
• Cold Storage Innovation – Tour their passive in-ground cold cellar, built from a sea can buried on a north-facing slope, which operates without electricity.
• Composting System – See their large-scale windrow compost turner in action and learn how they manage organic waste to improve soil health.
• Farm Infrastructure – Check out the walk-in refrigerators and essential equipment used to keep the farm running efficiently.

This event is a great chance to ask questions, connect with fellow farmers and gain insight into sustainable, organic farming. Don’t miss this in-person learning and networking experience!

About the host:

Paul Bowman – a Mennonite farmer – grew up on a farm in St. Jacobs, Ontario, where he developed a deep connection to agriculture. Though he spent three years teaching elementary school and gained extensive construction experience throughout his life, his passion for farming led him to purchase his first farm in Lynwood, Ontario, at age 23. There, he ran a finishing beef operation and a farrow-to-finish sow enterprise for many years. In 2003, after the collapse of the beef market and inspired by his commitment to ecological agriculture, Paul shifted his focus to vegetable production. This dedication to sustainable farming led him to transition to organic in 2008. Since moving to Matheson, Ontario, in 2013, he has continued to farm with a focus on organic and regenerative practices. Today, he produces organic fruits and vegetables like strawberries and tomatoes, along with grass-fed organic beef and eggs for the community. If you’ve been to a local farmers’ market in the area, you’ve likely met him!

This field day is supported by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.