Join us for a field day at Five Haystacks Farm with neighbouring farms Lawoti Farms and Carabao Fields! These two small-scale ecological farms share rented land and infrastructure while building distinct farm businesses rooted in cultural foodways, fresh vegetables, and plenty of hands-on problem solving.

The day will offer a practical look at what it takes to farm side by side on a shared site: navigating small land bases, coordinating infrastructure, building markets, adapting crops, and balancing farm work with the other realities that make small-scale farming possible.

At Lawoti Farms, participants will learn about market development, value-added products, and crop choices, including the Dalle hot peppers used in Surendra’s popular hot sauces and achars. The tour will explore how a small farm can grow through serving farmers’ markets, restaurants, wholesale buyers, CSA customers, and culturally connected food communities.

At Carabao Fields, participants will learn how Jienezza and Steve are growing Southeast Asian crops and adapting seeds for this climate as part of EFAO’s Seed Mentorship program. Their tour will highlight human-powered ecological farming, soil care, crop planning, DIY infrastructure and equipment maintenance, and the practical work of bringing culturally significant fresh vegetables to local eaters, while balancing the demands of a growing family.

After the tours, participants can lend a hand and learn practical skills through a group work bee, then gather for an on-farm lunch provided by EFAO. In the afternoon, we’ll hold a facilitated conversation on strengthening support for new and small-scale farmers, including what would help farmers get established, stay on the land, and build more resilient local food economies.

This field day is open to farmers, aspiring farmers, and anyone interested in land access, new farmer pathways, cultural crops, community food systems, and the future of small-scale ecological farming.

This is a full-day field day, but participants are welcome to attend for part of the day. Lunch is provided by EFAO. Please come prepared with closed-toe shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sun protection, a water bottle, and garden gloves if you would like to join the work bee.

SCHEDULE

10:00AM – Arrival and welcome

10:15AM to 11:45AM – Farm tour with Lawoti Farms and Carabao Fields

11:45AM to 12:30PM – Hands-on group work bee

12:30PM to 1:30PM – Lunch (provided)

1:30PM to 2:45PM – Facilitated conversation and workshop: Strengthening support for new and small-scale farmers

2:45PM to 3:15PM – Group reflection and key takeaways: What should EFAO and its members bring into future advocacy?

3:15PM to 3:30PM – Closing and departures

Lawoti Farms is operated by Surendra Lawoti at Five Haystacks Farm in Campbellville. Surendra began farming as a way to reconnect with his Nepali roots and share culturally significant foods with local communities. He runs the farm while also working as a photography professor at Ontario College of Art and Design University, offering a real-life example of how some farmers build farm businesses alongside other careers and income streams.

Carabao Fields is a human-powered ecological farm led by Jienezza, with support from her husband Steve on infrastructure setup and equipment maintenance. Prior to farming, Jienezza worked in the financial industry for 10 years as a senior analyst in risk management. In 2022, she worked on a farm for a year to learn the trade before building Carabao Fields at Five Haystacks Farm.