Join us for an insightful afternoon at Hawk Feather Farm, where we’ll explore their regenerative approach to grass-fed beef and pork production. Take a guided tour of the farm and learn about their sustainable methods for improving soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and raising livestock regeneratively.

Highlights include:

• A walkthrough of pasture management techniques that improve ecosystem function.
• An overview of animal husbandry practices that focus on ethical, regenerative grazing.
• Insights into how these approaches contribute to healthier soil, animals, and food systems.

Whether you’re a farmer, homesteader, or someone interested in regenerative agriculture, this field day will provide valuable knowledge and inspiration.

About the hosts

Hawk Feather Farm was established in 2008 by John and Lois Caron, who started their first organic market garden on a 1/4-acre plot of their 65-acre property. They introduced non-certified organic vegetables at the Mountjoy Farmer’s Market, catering to consumers seeking healthier alternatives to conventionally grown produce. Within three years, they expanded to one acre of irrigated vegetables and two acres of organic potatoes. In 2011, they launched the first CSA in Timmins, supplying 65 members with fresh produce until 2014. During this time, they also began raising organic, pastured chickens and pork. By 2014, Hawk Feather Farm transitioned from vegetable production to focus on their dream of raising grass-fed beef through holistic land management, or regenerative farming, utilizing most of their 65 acres. Starting with five cows and a bull, they expanded their herd to 60 cattle by 2016, grazing on 150 acres, including rented land. They continue to maintain 100% local farm gate sales. At Hawk Feather Farm, perennial grasses are transformed into high-quality protein and fat by cattle raised on untreated pastures. Their regenerative farming practices mimic the natural behavior of wild herbivores through rotational grazing, promoting soil, animal, and human health without synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, or pesticides.

Preparation

Please come prepared for any weather (cool and wet or hot and sunny), and wear proper footwear appropriate for muddy and uneven terrain.

Regenerative Grazing Field Day at Hawk Feather Farm is an OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Rotational Grazing category.

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