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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250410T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250716T170000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20250410T204550Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250717T141216Z
UID:21612-1744275600-1752685200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 1 Webinar Recordings: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:Due to tight funding timelines\, Term 1 of the Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program will not be held live in 2025. However\, you can access the webinar recordings and course resources from last year here!  \nThe Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program is housed on an online course platform called Moodle. Registrants will be sent the Term 1 passcode and instructions for setting up an account on Moodle by email. \nThis recording bundle will give you access to the following webinar recordings: \nIntroduction to Organic Growing \n Are you wanting to grow your own vegetables but are not sure how to get started? Join this webinar for an overview of how to start growing vegetables using organic principles. Topics will include the basics of getting to know your site\, common tools\, site preparation\, planting\, pest management\, harvesting\, and extending the season.   \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \nThe Language of Ecological Agriculture \n \nWhat is organic agriculture? What does regenerative mean? What is the difference between permaculture\, agroecology\, and biodynamic farming? Join us for a discussion about the language of ecological agriculture and start thinking about how and where your farm might fit.   \nSpeaker: Thorsten Arnold\, Grey-Bruce Centre for Agroecology and Persephone Market Garden \n  \nBotany for Farmers and Gardeners \nThis webinar will provide an introduction to botany for gardeners\, farmers\, and foodies. Topics will include vegetable classification and why this is important\, parts of a plant\, pollination and common pests and diseases.   \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \nIdentifying and Controlling Insect Pests \nUnfortunately we are not the only ones who find our crops tasty!  There is a whole world of insects that find our crops delicious or a great home.  This webinar gives you a basic understanding of the role of insects in agriculture and how to manage pests throughout the growing season. \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \nIntroduction to Indoor Growing \nThis webinar will cover the different types of indoor growing options and which crops can be grown indoors in the spring. The many benefits and challenges of this production system will be discussed.  \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \nIntroduction to Seedling production and Greenhouse management \nStarting your own seedlings can be challenging. Join this webinar to learn some tips and tricks to producing high quality healthy seedlings as well as good Greenhouse management techniques. Della Campbell shares her experience growing seedlings for Everdale’s plant sale and CSA farm. \nSpeaker: Della Campbell\, Everdale Farm \n  \nFarm Workers Rights and Responsibilities \nDid you know that farm worker rights differ from general employee rights? Many new farm workers are uninformed about their rights and responsibilities.  This webinar will clarify the different rights and responsibilities relating to working on Ontario farms. . \nSpeakers: Hannah Kaya\, Farm Worker Organizer\, National Farmers Union Ontario & El Cyr \n  \nIntroduction to Soil Health \nSoil is the foundation of growing healthy food. Learn the properties of soils and how to maintain and build soil health. We will discuss the types of soils and their attributes\, how to keep soils healthy and what activities contribute to degrading\, maintaining\, and building healthy soils. \nSpeaker: Sarah Larsen\, Research and Small Grains Programs Director\, EFAO \n  \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-1-ignatius-farm-new-farmer-training-program-recordings/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20241030T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20241120T170000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20241009T180649Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241009T180649Z
UID:20446-1730314800-1732122000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 4: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:The Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program is a collaboration between Ignatius Jesuit Centre\, EFAO\, Everdale and the National Farmers Union – Ontario. \nRegister for the whole term here or register for individual events by visiting efao.ca/events.   \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \n  \nOctober 30\, 7:00-8:00pm \nOnline Meet-up: Term 4 Participants Meet-up \nJoin us for an informal meet-up for everyone participating in Term 4 of the Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program. \n  \nNovember 4\, 9:30-11:30am \nFarm Design \nSpeaker: TBC \n  \nNovember 4\, 2:30-4:30pm \nProduction Planning \nSpeaker: TBC \n  \nNovember 6\, 9:30-11:30am \nRecord Keeping \nSmall businesses have an incredible amount of data to track.  Join us for this half day workshop where we will discuss a variety of methods and tools for recordkeeping that can be used in a wide range of applications for farms of different scales. \nSpeakers: David Alexander\, Everdale Farm with guest farmer Angie Koch from Fertile Ground Farm \n  \nNovember 6\, 2:30-4:30pm \nFinancing Your Farm \nFinancing is a major barrier to many new farmers.  This panel will provide an overview of some of the different types of financing options and programs for new farmers and the requirements for them.  There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of the representatives from different financing institutions and organizations (such as Fair Finance Fund and Alterna). \nSpeaker: Johanna Mercedes from Fair Finance Fund\, other speakers TBC \n  \nNovember 11\, 9:30-11:30am \nFinancing and Budgets \nThis workshop will focus on the key financial information that every small farm-business owner should know. We will review key concepts that will help you better understand your numbers\, and discuss different ways of organizing your financial data to get the information you need to make data-driven decisions to improve profits. We will leave plenty of time for Q&A. \nSpeaker: Julia Shanks\, author of The Farmer’s Office \n  \nNovember 11\, 2:30-4:30pm \nWhat is a co-op and what can a farm co-op look like? \nCo-ops are collectively-owned and democratically-run businesses that put people and planet over profits.  Join our two speakers as we learn about different types of co-ops and what being part of a farm coop can look like. \nSpeaker: Christine Clarke\, Freedom Dreams Co-operative Education and Jeremy Colbeck from Beet Box Coop Farm. \n  \nNovember 13\, 9:30-11:30am \nAn Introduction to Human Resources for Small-scale Farm Enterprises \nWhat makes for a good farm employer? This webinar will provide an overview of: a) Hiring and incentives; b) HR fundamentals; c) Interpersonal dynamics\, training\, and retention; and d) Planning\, task management\, and delegation. \nSpeaker: Brian Tammi\, Paradise Fields Farm \n  \nNovember 13\, 2:30-4:30pm \nWebinar TBC \n  \nNov 18\, 9:30-11:30am \nWebinar TBC \n  \nNovember 18\, 2:30-4:30pm \nMeeting Small Business Requirements \nHow do you ensure you are doing everything you need to be doing as a business? Are you registered? Are you taking advantage of everything you should be? Is it better to be a sole proprietorship or to incorporate? Kristel Manes from the Guelph-Wellington Business Centre will help participants understand what they should be doing in order to meet all requirements and ensure best practices. \nSpeaker: Kristel Manes\, Executive Director of the Guelph-Wellington Business Centre and Tony Morris \n  \nNovember 20\, 9:30-11:30am \nMarketing and Distribution \nHow do you create a successful marketing campaign for your business? This workshop will discuss how you conduct market research\, how you price your product and effectively promote it\, and how you evaluate market opportunities and possibilities.  We will also be looking at distributions and the various models for getting your product to the consumer. \nSpeakers: David Alexander\, Everdale with Stephanie Laing\, Fiddlehead Farm  \n  \nNovember 20\, 2:30-4:30pm \nSeeing the Land\, Seeing Ourselves \nSpeaker: TBC \n  \nNovember 20\, 4:45-5:00pm \nOnline Meet-up: Term 3 Participants De-brief \nFull term participant debrief meet up with final words from EFAO\, NFU-O\, Ignatius Farm\, and Everdale. \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-4-ignatius-farm-new-farmer-training-program-2024/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240826T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20241030T200000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20240819T164946Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240916T175014Z
UID:20034-1724698800-1730318400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 3: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:The Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program is a collaboration between Ignatius Jesuit Centre\, EFAO\, Everdale and the National Farmers Union – Ontario. \nRegister for the whole term here or register for individual events by visiting efao.ca/events.   \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \n  \nAugust 26\, 7:00-8:00pm \nOnline Meet-up: Term 3 Participants Meet-up \nJoin us for an informal meet-up for everyone participating in Term 3 of the Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program. \n  \nSeptember 9\, 2:30-4:30pm \nIn-person Workshop: Preserving the Harvest \nFall is the time of year that many gardeners and farmers think about storing vegetables for use in the winter. This workshop will discuss the many ways in which you can store vegetables\, herbs\, and fruit for later use. We will touch on the basics for dehydrating\, canning\, pickling\, freezing\, and fermenting as well as other tips and tricks. \nDo you have a favourite way to store a crop? Bring your recipe to share with the group. \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Farmer Educator at Ignatius Farm \n  \nSeptember 11\, 2:30-4:30pm \nWebinar: What to look for when buying or renting land \nAre you daunted by the prospect of buying or renting land? Hear from our panel of speakers as they discuss what to look for when renting or buying land and what questions you may need to ask before you enter into an agreement. \nSpeakers: Lorne Jamieson\, Martina Schaefer from Spiral Farm & John Veit from Wicked Welly Farm. \n  \nSeptember 16\, 2:30-4:30pm \nWebinar: Intercropping for Market Gardens \n Intercropping is a way to increase on-farm biodiversity and can provide a range of benefits. At the same time\, it increases complexity and can create challenges\, which necessitates pro-active management.  Wondering how you can intercrop? Join Kristine Hammel from Persephone Market Garden to learn how intercropping is essential to her growing and  some principles that can help you increase agro-biodiversity in your farming. And yes\, there will be a chart of companion plants to get you started.  \nSpeaker: Kristine Hammel\, Persephone Market Garden \n  \nSeptember 18\, 2:30-4:30pm \nIn-person Field Day at Crieff Hills Retreat Centre Farm \nJoin us for this tour of the Crieff Hills retreat centre farm. Crieff Hills has become focused on making the farm to table local food concept a prominent part of their vision and mission. In addition to their herd of Soay sheep\, small flock of layer and pastured poultry\, a busy bee yard and thriving organic gardens\, Crieff has four large hay fields and a vast network of hiking trails spread across 250 acres of forest and meadows all on a site that can accommodate up to 100 overnight guests.  Plans to expand the livestock include pastured pigs and heritage breed cattle within a silvopasture rotational grazing system. This fall they will also be constructing their first high tunnel greenhouse and renovating an old picnic shelter to serve as a future hub for washing\, packing\, cold storage and farm focused educational events.  \n  \nSeptember 23\, 2:30-4:30pm \nWebinar: Permaculture for the Market Gardener \nPermaculture tends to be very much in the domain of home gardeners and property owners. But what if we could take it all a step further\, and merge the fields of permaculture and market gardening? Zach will introduce the concept of Permabeds and the Permabed System which is about how to layout land for commercially-viable diverse market gardens and edible landscapes as well as Edible Ecosystem Design which is a method for highly diversified and organized land management.  \nSpeaker: Zach Loeks\, author of The Permaculture Market Garden \n  \nSeptember 25\, 6:00-8:00pm \nWebinar: Growing Medicinal Herbs \nJoin Shabina as she shares her experience with  growing herbs for medicine and tea. How is growing herbs different from vegetables\, harvest and drying techniques\, as well as tips and tricks she has found useful. \nSpeaker: Shabina Lafleur-Gangji\, co-director of Seed\, Soil and Spirit School \n  \nOctober 2\, 9:30am-3:00pm \nIn-person Field Trip to Everdale Farm and Heartwood Farm & Cidery \nJoin us for this tour of Everdale Farm\, just outside of Hillsburg\, ON\, from 9:30-11:30am. One of Canada’s oldest not for profit farms\, their goal is to help to build food resilience in local communities. Their main farm products are organic vegetables and they also have small flocks of sheep and chickens and occasionally other livestock. They sell directly to local households and grow food for food banks and other local organizations that support people in need. \nAfter lunch we will meet at Heartwood Farm and Cidery. They are the humble and careful stewards of a 42-acre farm\, where they raise cows\, pigs\, sheep\, chickens and bees\, and grow apples\, maple trees\, and other fruit and nut trees. They have chosen the practice of Regenerative Farming for their land in an effort to maintain the healthiest soil\, water systems\, agriculture and livestock possible. \n  \nOctober 7\, 2:30-4:30pm \nWebinar: Value-added Products Panel Discussion \nAre you considering branching out into value added farm goods? Hear from some farms that have been making and selling prepared goods. Xiaobing\, Audrey\, and Steve will share their stories\, what they think are the most important considerations as you start out\, as well as challenges\, tips\, and best practices. \nSpeakers: Steve D’Alimonte (Piccolo Farm Organics)\, Xiaobing Shen (Long Road Ecological Farm & Farm Sum)\, Audrey May (The Greenhouse Eatery) \n  \nOctober 21\, 2:30-4:30pm \nWebinar: Seed Saving \nDo you want to produce some of your seed on-farm?  In this webinar you will learn what crops are easiest for beginner-level seed production\, how to plan your production to minimize cross pollination\, the number of  plants required to maintain genetic viability and varietal strength as well as how to collect\, clean and store your seed. \nSpeaker: Kim Delaney\, Hawthorn Seeds \n  \nOctober 23\, 2:30-4:30pm \nIn-person Workshop: Small Farm Equipment & Maintenance \nLocation: TBA \n  \nOctober 28\, 2:30-4:30pm \nWebinar: Vegetable Crop Planning \n An introduction to the basics of vegetable crop planning.  What are you growing\, how much\, and where? Angie Koch of Fertile Ground Farm will share her over 15 years of experience in crop planning and offer tools and ideas to think about when doing your own crop plan. A recording of this webinar will be available \nSpeaker: Angie Koch\, Fertile Ground Farm \n  \nOctober 30\, 7:00-8:00pm \nOnline Meet-up: Term 3 Participants De-brief \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-3-ignatius-farm-new-farmer-training-program-2024/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240422T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240731T200000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20240412T235237Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240725T172840Z
UID:19346-1713812400-1722456000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 2: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:Register for the whole term here or register for individual events by visiting efao.ca/events.   \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \n  \nIn person field trip: Small plot agriculture at Ignatius Farm \nApril 24\, 9:30-11:30am \nLocation: Ignatius Farm\, 5420 Hwy 6N\, Guelph\, ON \nJoin us for a tour of Ignatius Farm’s small plot agriculture program. We will walk through the 3 acres of community gardens\, our community orchard\, and our rented small plot tenants.  Please dress for the weather.  The ground may be wet/muddy and the wind can be very chilly in the open areas. \n  \nOnline Meet-up: Full Term Participants Meet-up \nApril 22nd\, 7:00pm-8:00pm \n  \nWebinar: Field and Bed preparation \nApril 29\, 2:30-4:30pm \nBefore you can plant\, you need to prepare the soil. This webinar will discuss methods of field and bed preparation\, the dangers of over cultivation\, and innovative no-till options. Primary and secondary tillage equipment will be shown as well as smaller-scale and hand-tool options. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nFacilitator: Lisa Conroy\, Farm Educator at Ignatius Farm \n  \nWebinar: Vegetable crop disease management \nMay 1\, 2:30-4:30pm \nIdentifying and managing plant diseases can be tricky. Join us for this introduction into what plant diseases are\, how to identify them\, and what you can do to prevent and control them. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nFacilitator: Katie Goldehar\, Pathologist – Horticulture Crops\, OMAFRA \n  \nWebinar: Weed Management \nMay 6\, 2:30-4:30pm \nWhat are some common weeds and how do we manage them on a farm? This webinar will introduce the importance of managing weeds\, the basics of weed identification\, and various preventative and reactive control measures.  A recording of this webinar will be available. \nFacilitator: Lisa Conroy\, Farm Educator at Ignatius Farm. \n  \nWebinar: Cover crops and green manures \nMay 8\, 2:30-4:30pm \nWhat is cover cropping and green manure? This webinar will answer these questions and discuss why they’re used in crop rotations. Learn how this practice can help increase soil health\, crop health\, and soil water retention. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nFacilitator: Stephanie Vickers\, Horticulture Sustainability Specialist\, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Rural Affairs. \n  \nWebinar: Yoga for Farmers; warming up for the season \nMay 13\, 2:30-4:30pm \nJoin us for a hands on webinar where you will be led into a practice on how to do simple and effective exercises and movements to strengthen\, stretch\, and warm up your body to prep & thrive in the ascending season. It will start with body awareness\, then posture and finally targeted exercises. There will be a PDF that you can print and use as a tool to practice “off the mat and into the field” what you have learned. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nFacilitator: Julie Bradley-Low from Stonegrove Wellness Studio \n  \nWebinar: Irrigation basics \nMay 15\, 2:30-4:30pm \nAn introduction to the importance of irrigation on farms\, water stress on plants\, when to irrigate and how much. Participants can expect to learn about different irrigation options\, discuss troubleshooting and where to source parts. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nFacilitator: David Alexander\, Program coordinator at Everdale. \n  \nWebinar: Principles of harvest and post harvest \nMay 27\, 2:30-4:30pm \nHarvest and post-harvest handling are critical steps to ensure good quality produce with optimal shelf life. Learn important tips on things like harvest hygiene\, timing\, and techniques as well as post-harvest handling\, cooling\, and storage. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nFacilitator: Della Campbell\, Everdale Co-founder \n  \nIn person workshop: Hands on weeding \nMay 29\, 2:30-4:30pm \nLocation: Ignatius farm\, 5420 Hwy 6N\, Guelph\, ON \nJoin Lisa for a hands on look at weddings tools\, techniques\, and weed ID. We will get a chance to try out different tools and try our hand at some weed ID! Please dress for the weather and for walking in muddy fields. \nFacilitator: Lisa Conroy\, Farm Educator\, Ignatius Farm \n  \nIn person field trip at Rumar Farm & Manorun Farm \nJune 5\, 9:30am – 3:30pm \nJoin us for one or both of these field trips.  \n9:30-11:30am at Rumar Farm\, Ridgeville: In the morning we will meet at Rumar Farm – a certified organic farm that uses biodynamic farming principles and practices. They grow tender fruit\, berries\, heirloom vegetables and melons. \n1:30-3:30pm at Manorun Farm\, Ancaster: In the afternoon\, we will tour Manorun Farm. Chris Krucker and Denise Trigatti\, alongside their four children\, have been farming organically here for 25 years\, offering organic vegetables through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Working to mitigate climate change is a large priority at their farm. They have moved the farm away from a monocrop and pesticide reliant system towards a more natural one called an Oak Savannah. The advantage of growing food using the savannah is that natural eco systems thrive. Soil fertility is built up through deep rooted plants\, swales lined with trees act as a water source and a home for pollinators and wildlife\, and food is produced on multiple layers. They believe that through the Oak Savannah and other regenerative agricultural practices we can rebuild our organic matter\, increase biodiversity\, which in turn provides us with more nutrient-dense crops. \nIf you are attending both field trips you are welcome to bring a bag lunch and eat as a group at Rumar Farm before we head to Manorun Farm. \n  \nFlower Production \nJune 10\, 2:30-4:30pm \nLocal and ecological flowers are a high valuable crop to grow and are more and more popular over the conscious consumers. Join us for this webinar where we discuss how to efficiently and successfully begin growing or add floral crops to your current production system\, using ecological growing practices\, and how to market those flowers through existing or new CSAs\, farmer’s market and grocery stores. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nFacilitator: Chloé Roy Founder of Floramama\, ecological flower farm \n  \nSetting up an urban farm \nJune 12\, 2:30-4:30pm \nWant to farm but stay in the city? Join us for this webinar on setting up an urban farm.  We will discuss what you need to consider before you start and some of the challenges you may face along the way.  A recording of this webinar will be available. \nFacilitator: Akosua Asare. Farmer-Florist at re.Planted Farm and Florals. \n  \nIntroduction to Beekeeping \nJune 19\, 2:30-4:30pm \nInterested in beekeeping? Join the Tuckamore Bee Company crew to learn about the basics of keeping bees\, what you need to get started and some common challenges for beginners. A recording of this webinar will be available. \n*Please note\, this event will be available for a limited number of in person participants as well as a live Zoom event.   \n  \nKeeping Sheep \nJune 24\, 2:30-4;30pm \nHave you been wanting to keep livestock?  How about sheep!  Join Brenda Hsueh as she talks us through starting a sheep farm\, the challenges and benefits.  Brenda and her family run Black Sheep Farm; an organic farm\, raising sheep on pasture for lamb meat\, fibre\, and tanned lambskins. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nFacilitator: Brenda Hsueh\, Black Sheep Farm \n  \nIn person workshop: Composting in community \nJune 26\, 2:30-4:30pm \nLocation: The Huron St Community Garden \nLearn how to recycle nutrients back into the soil to build your growing space and community! Karen (Kéké)\, one of the compost Queens of the Royal City will show off the three bin compost system used at this community garden\, show us the composting basics\, and talk about how you can compost in almost every space.   \nFacilitator: Karen (Kéké) Houle \n  \nEcology of pasture raised meat production  \nJune 17\, 2:30-4:30pm \nDetails to come! \n  \nIn person field trip: Crosby Gitigaan & County Left Farm \nJuly 10\, 9:30am – 3:00pm \nJoin us for one or both of these field trips. \n9:30-11:30am at Crosby Gitigaan: In the morning we will meet at Crosby Gitigaan (Malvern urban Farm) in Scarborough. Aiden Crosby is a Black/Indigenous agricultural expert with a passion for showcasing knowledge of Indigenous food systems Aiden is part of a large family from the Ojibwas of Anderdon\, a pre-confederation band of mixed Black/Indigenous people living near Windsor\, ON. Aiden co runs the farm with his family It is a small scale farm that showcases indigenous agriculture techniques\, companion plantings and other ways of growing!  \n1:00-3:00pm at County Left Farm: In the afternoon\, we will meet at County Left Farm in Stouffville. County Left is on three acres of land\, one of those acres is in mixed vegetable production and the other two are for crop rotations and remain in cover crops during the season. They farm at a small “human” scale – mainly using hand tools and a walk-behind tractor. They take care to figure out by research and observation what the land may need from in order to produce good food for their community. \nYou are welcome to bring a bag lunch and join us while we eat at one of the farms. \n  \nWebinar: Orchard care basics \nJuly 15\, 2:30-4:30pm \nJoin us for a hands-on holistic fruit tree care workshop focused on summer pruning\, and how pruning integrates with key aspects of fruit tree botany and physiology\, pest management strategies\, and other best practices for maintaining a healthy and productive home orchard.  \nPlease note\, this event will be available for in person attendance as well as a live Zoom event.  After registration please e-mail farmeducation@ignatiusguelph.ca if you would like to attend in person. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nFacilitator:  Matt Soltys\, runs The Urban Orchardist \n  \nWebinar: Farmer Mental Health \nJuly 17\, 2:30-4:30pm \nFarming can be a stressful job. Many aspects of farming often come with significant \nchallenges such as high financial risk\, heavy physical labour\, extreme weather and unpredictable supply chains. Unfortunately\, farmers are less likely to seek the help of professionals. Join us for this webinar to find out about programs geared towards helping farmers address their mental health challenges and learn some tips to help you cope with day to day stress. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nFacilitator:  CMHA\, Agriculture Wellness Ontario\, Rav Singh from Shades of Miti \n  \nWebinar: Intercropping in market gardens \nJuly 29\, 2:30-4:30pm \nIntercropping is a way to increase on-farm biodiversity and can provide a range of benefits. At the same time\, it increases complexity and can create challenges\, which necessitates pro-active management.  Wondering how you can intercrop? Join Kristine Hammel from Persephone Market Garden to learn how intercropping is essential to her growing and  some principles that can help you increase agro-biodiversity in your farming. And yes\, there will be a chart of companion plants to get you started. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nFacilitator: Kristine Hammel\, Persephone Market Garden \n  \nWorkshop: Soil Health Workshop at Shelldale Farm Park \nJuly 31\, 3:30-5:30pm \nGuelph\, Shelldale Farm Park \nWant to get your hands dirty? Join us for this in-person workshop about hands on soil health. In this workshop we will play with soil and learn at-home methods for figuring out soil texture and infiltration rate.  We will also talk about soil testing and how to do it\, and technology that can help along the way. \nFacilitator: Jordan Grigg\, Sustainability Programme Coordinator\, County of Wellington \n  \nField Day at Saugeen River CSA and Burdock Grove Farm \nAugust 28th\, 9:30am – 3:00pm \n9:30-11:30am – Saugeen River CSA: Interested in horse drawn cultivation and biodynamics? This is the farm tour for you! Join us as we tour Saugeen River CSA and learn about how they use horses for cultivation and incorporate biodynamic practices into their farm operation. \n1:00-3:00pm – Burdock Grove Farm: Burdock Grove Farm is more than your typical farm. They have a commercial kitchen and produce a lot of value added products. Join us for the tour and see their vegetable\, animal\, and store set up. \n  \nOnline Meet-up: Full Term Participants Debrief \nJuly 31\, 7:00pm-8:00pm \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-2-ignatius-farm-new-farmer-training-program-2024/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240408T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240418T174500
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20240401T153545Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240401T153545Z
UID:19193-1712602800-1713462300@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 1: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:*Register for the whole term here or register for individual events by visiting efao.ca/events.   \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \n  \nApril 8th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-term Participants’ Meet-up\, Online \n  \nApril 9th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Introduction to Organic Growing \n Are you wanting to grow your own vegetables but are not sure how to get started? Join this webinar for an overview of how to start growing vegetables using organic principles. Topics will include the basics of getting to know your site\, common tools\, site preparation\, planting\, pest management\, harvesting\, and extending the season.   \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \n  \nApril 10th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Language of Ecological Agriculture \n \nWhat is organic agriculture? What does regenerative mean? What is the difference between permaculture\, agroecology\, and biodynamic farming? Join us for a discussion about the language of ecological agriculture and start thinking about how and where your farm might fit.   \nSpeaker: Thorsten Arnold\, Grey-Bruce Centre for Agroecology and Persephone Market Garden \n  \n  \nApril 11th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Botany for Farmers and Gardeners \nThis webinar will provide an introduction to botany for gardeners\, farmers\, and foodies. Topics will include vegetable classification and why this is important\, parts of a plant\, pollination and common pests and diseases.   \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \n  \nApril 12th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Identifying and Controlling Insect Pests \nUnfortunately we are not the only ones who find our crops tasty!  There is a whole world of insects that find our crops delicious or a great home.  This webinar gives you a basic understanding of the role of insects in agriculture and how to manage pests throughout the growing season. \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \n  \nApril 15th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Farm Workers Rights and Responsibilities \nDid you know that farm worker rights differ from general employee rights? Many new farm workers are uninformed about their rights and responsibilities.  This webinar will clarify the different rights and responsibilities relating to working on Ontario farms. .   \nSpeakers: Hannah Kaya\, Farm Worker Organizer\, National Farmers Union Ontario & El Cyr \n  \n  \nApril 16th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Introduction to Soil Health \nSoil is the foundation of growing healthy food. Learn the properties of soils and how to maintain and build soil health. We will discuss the types of soils and their attributes\, how to keep soils healthy and what activities contribute to degrading\, maintaining\, and building healthy soils.   \nSpeaker: Sarah Larsen\, Research and Small Grains Programs Director\, EFAO \n  \n  \nApril 17th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Introduction to Indoor Growing \nThis webinar will cover the different types of indoor growing options and which crops can be grown indoors in the spring. The many benefits and challenges of this production system will be discussed.  \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \n  \nApril 18th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Introduction to Seedling production and Greenhouse management \nStarting your own seedlings can be challenging. Join this webinar to learn some tips and tricks to producing high quality healthy seedlings as well as good Greenhouse management techniques. Della Campbell shares her experience growing seedlings for Everdale’s plant sale and CSA farm. \nSpeaker: Della Campbell\, Everdale Farm \n  \n  \nApril 18th\, 4:45pm – 5:45pm: Full-term participants’ de-brief meet-up\, online \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n  \n \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-1-2024/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240408
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241121
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20240401T153508Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240401T153508Z
UID:19183-1712534400-1732147199@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Full Program: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:*Register here for the full program (4 Terms) or register for a single term or a single event by visiting the Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program webpage.     \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \nParticipants who complete all four terms receive an Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program Certificate. \nFull Program Details\nTerm 1: April 8th – April 18th\, 2024\nTerm 1 provides foundational knowledge and language for basic farm work. All zoom meeting links can be found on the Moodle course platform.  \nSchedule: \n\nApril 8th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-Term Participants Meet-up\nApril 9th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Introduction to Organic Growing\nApril 10th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: The Language of Ecological Agriculture\nApril 11th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Botany for Farmers and Gardeners\nApril 12th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Identifying and Controlling Pests and Diseases\nApril 15th\,  2:30pm – 4:30pm: Farm Worker Rights & Responsibilities\nApril 16th\,  2:30pm – 4:30pm: Introduction to Soil Health\nApril 17th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Introduction to Indoor Growing\nApril 18th\,  2:30pm – 4:30pm: Introduction to Seedling Production & Greenhouse Management \nApril 18th\, 4:45pm – 5:45pm: Full-Term Participants De-brief\n\n\nTerm 2: April 22nd – July 31st\, 2024\nTerm 2 focuses on learning about specialized aspects of farming. All zoom meeting links can be found on the Moodle course platform.   \nSchedule: \n\nApril 22nd\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-Term Participants Meet-up\nApril 24th\, 9:30am – 11:30am: Optional Field Trip – Small plot agriculture at Ignatius Farm\, Guelph\nApril 29th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Field and Bed Preparation\nMay 1st\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Vegetable Disease Management\nMay 6th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Weed Management\nMay 8th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Cover Crops \nMay 13th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Farmer Yoga – Warming up for the season\nMay 15th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Irrigation Principles\nMay 27th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Harvest and Post-Harvest Principles\nMay 29th: Optional In-person Workshop: Composting at the Huron St Community Garden\, Guelph\nJune 5th: Optional Field Trip – TBA\nJune 10th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: TBA\nJune 12th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Urban Farming\nJune 17th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Ecology of Pasture-raised Meats\nJune 19th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Bee Keeping (in-person & online)\nJune 24th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Keeping Sheep\nJune 26th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: In-person Workshop – TBA\nJuly 10th\, 9:30am – 3:00pm: Optional In-person Field Trip – Crosby Gitigaan & County Left Farm\nJuly 15th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Orchard Care (in-person & online)\nJuly 17th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Farmer Mental Health\nJuly 22nd\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: TBA\nJuly 24th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: TBA\nJuly 29th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Intercropping in Market Gardens\nJuly 31st: Optional In-person workshop- Get your hands dirty\, soil health workshop\n\n\nAugust break \n  \nTerm 3: August 26th – October 30th\, 2024\nTerm 3 expands beyond basics to build skills for a specialized farm. All zoom meeting links can be found on the Moodle course platform.  \n\nFull-term participants meet-up: August 16th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm\nWebinar dates are: September 9th\, 16th\, 23rd\, October 14th\, 21st\, 28th\, and 30th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nOptional in-person workshops and mini field trips will be: September 11th\, 18th\, 25th\, October 16th\, and 23rd.\nOptional in-person full day field trips will be: August 28th and October 2nd.\nFull-term participants de-brief: October 30th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm\n\n  \nTerm 4: October 30th – November 20th\, 2024\nTerm 4 provides entrepreneurship training for operating a farm business. All zoom meeting links can be found on the Moodle course platform. \n\nFull-term participants meet-up: October 30th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm\nWebinar dates are:\n\n\n\nNov 4\, 9:30am – 11:00am & 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nNov 6\, 9:30am – 11:00am & 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nNov 11\, 9:30am – 11:00am & 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nNov 13\, 9:30am – 11:00am & 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nNov 18\, 9:30am – 11:00am & 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nNov 20\, 9:30am – 11:00am & 2:30pm – 4:00pm\n\n\n\n\nFull-term participants debrief (and certificate sharing): November 20th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
URL:https://efao.ca/event/full-program-2024/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/ClaireCoulter-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240116T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240326T203000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20231204T191409Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231205T181241Z
UID:18227-1705431600-1711485000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Online Farm Planning Course
DESCRIPTION:EFAO and Everdale have partnered once again to offer this intensive farm planning course for new and beginning farmers. \nThinking about starting a farm business? Already running one but struggling with business planning? If you’re ready to start planning your farm business\, this course is for you! \n\nCourse Overview\nThis ten week\, comprehensive course will walk you through the steps to write a detailed farm plan for your farm business. Each week will consist of a pre-recorded webinar and a “live” farmer-to-farmer session; as well as worksheets\, templates\, resource links and farm case studies. \nLive sessions take place every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm on January 16th\, January 23rd\, January 30th\, February 6th\, February 13th\, February 20th\, February 27th\, March 5th\, (no live session the week of March Break)\,  March 19th and March 26th. \n*All sessions will be recorded and shared with participants. \n\nIs this course right for me?\nThis Online Farm Planning Course is geared towards farmers who are serious about starting a farm business in the near future\, or who are already farming but have not yet completed a farm business plan. Please note that getting the most out of this course requires an investment of time and thought. \nAside from the 1 – 1.5hr weekly online sessions\, there will be additional time needed to review pre-recorded video content (approximately 30 – 60min per week)\, and to complete the worksheets that will help you write your farm plan. \n\nCourse Outline\nWeek 1: Farm Visioning \nWeek 2: Production Planning \nWeek 3: Marketing – Sales & Distribution \nWeek 4: Marketing – Promotional Strategies \nWeek 5: Recordkeeping \nWeek 6: Farm Financials – Introduction to Farm Financials \nWeek 7: Farm Financials – Budgeting \nWeek 8: Meeting Small Business Requirements \nWeek 9: Risk Management \nWeek 10: Accessing Financing \n\nTestimonials from past participants\n“This course has helped me get organized\, consider issues that hadn’t even occurred to me\, and have a much more realistic outlook.” \n“We have a better understanding of the questions we have to ask and answer to ensure we farm successfully as a business. The practical advice and ideas we got are helping us develop our own plans that are right for us. The breadth and scope of the presenters also helped us develop a broader perspective on the variety of solutions and models out there.” \n“Connecting me with a like minded community has been very inspiring – I don’t have a farming background and have had one season working on a medium scale organic vegetable farm. It’s so cool to learn from different farmers and explore all the other methods\, practices and possibilities. The business information [was] very helpful\, to put dreams into perspective and see what it actually takes to develop a business.” \n“The biggest [tangible takeaway] was seeing so many other farmers that started in a similar position and are happy with the choice they made and have a viable farm.  That’s a major confidence boost and inspiration and I think that added so much to the course.” \n  \n***Course pricing increases by $25 on January 12th*** \nIn order to make our events accessible to all farmers and future farmers in Ontario\, EFAO strives to reduce financial barriers for registration by offering a pay-what-you-can model. To access pay-what-you-can pricing\, please complete this form!
URL:https://efao.ca/event/online-farm-planning-course-2024/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/latevegjuly-10-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20231109T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20231109T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20230828T181955Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231102T161125Z
UID:17069-1699556400-1699563600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Holistic Management Course - 10 Sessions
DESCRIPTION:Is your farm business struggling to make a profit? Are your land\, water and ecosystems in need of rejuvenation? Do you struggle with the farm-work-life balance? Are you wondering about how you can pass on your farm and legacy? \nHolistic Management helps farmers discover tools to make better\, more informed decisions to reach your family and farm goals. \nThis course will be held over 10 webinars starting in November 2023 – with a break for winter holidays – and ending on February 1st of 2024. The course consists of 10 x 2 hour online sessions from 7 – 9pm on Thursday evenings. The course will cover the main elements of Holistic Management: \n\nGoal setting\,\nFinancial Planning\,\nDecision Testing\,\nMonitoring (decisions and ecosystem processes) and\nPlanned Grazing.\n\nHolistic Management has been helping farm and ranch families make better decisions for their people\, their land and their finances for over 50 years.  This course can serve as an introduction to Holistic Management for those new to HM.  It will also provide an opportunity for review and refinement for those already familiar with HM. \nParticipants will have access to digital Holistic Management manuals for goal setting\, decision testing\, financial planning\, biological monitoring and planned grazing. Recordings of the sessions will be sent to all registrants after they take place. \nThe first sessions will explore goal setting and decision testing\, the next sessions will go through the financial planning process and the final sessions will cover monitoring\, grazing planning and review goal setting and decision testing after participants have had a chance to use their holistic goal and test decisions during the previous weeks.  During the course participants will have been able to develop an initial holistic goal\, a draft financial plan and\, depending on the operation\, a grazing plan or crop or garden plan. \nCourse dates:\n\n2023: Nov 9\, 16\, 23 and Dec 7\, 14\n\n 2024: Jan 4\, 11\, 18\, 25 and Feb 1\n\nNote: There is a minimum and maximum number of participants we can accommodate\, and running the course will depend on registration numbers. Prices listed are per farm team. \nScholarship Option:\nHolistic Management has proven very helpful for farmers in improving the financial situation of their farms.  IF you would like to take this course BUT the cost is a barrier\, please contact Tony directly at tonymcquail@gmail.com about this option. \nAbout the Facilitator: \nTony McQuail bought his farm near Lucknow\, Ontario in 1973. He and his wife\, Fran\, have run a diversified organic farm raising livestock\, a small apple orchard and operated a community supported garden. McQuail was an early adopter of rotational grazing and has decades of experience in pasture management and fencing systems. At Meeting Place Organic Farm they raise grass fed and finished beef\, pastured pork and pastured poultry and have done some experimenting with cocktail cover crops. They do much of their farming with work horses and provide training in this skill to apprentices. They took a played out crop farm from approximately 1.5 soil organic matter to 3.5 to 7% organic matter moving CO2 from the atmosphere into the soil. The McQuails have transferred the farm operation to their daughter Katrina and continue to be actively involved in it. \nThis course is an OSCIA-recognized On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for applicants with approved Rotational Grazing Systems projects. Participants must attend at least 8 out of the 10 course sessions live in order to count this as a KSE. Questions about OFCAF should be directed to OFCAF@ontariosoilcrop.org
URL:https://efao.ca/event/holistic-management-course-x10-sessions/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course,Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Tony-McQuail_HM_sq_400.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20231101T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20231115T160000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20231010T185221Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231010T185221Z
UID:17849-1698831000-1700064000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 4: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:*Register for the whole term or choose individual events.   \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \n  \nNovember 1st\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Holistic Farm Design \nAre you wanting to start a farm business but are not sure where to start? This workshop will cover the bigger picture questions surrounding the development of a whole farm plan. Where are you now and where are you headed? How will an agricultural business fit with the rest of your life and in your community?  What will be your enterprise of focus and how do you determine the scale of your business? These questions\, your questions and more will be discussed.  \nSpeakers: David Alexander\, Everdale Farm with guest farmer Carl Leslie \n  \nNovember 1st\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Planning for Production \nHaving a product to sell is the first step in running an agricultural business.  Learn the steps needed and tools available to begin developing a production plan.  Learn about different models and scales of production supports and find out what will work best for your business. \nSpeakers: David Alexander\, Everdale Farm with guest farmer TBA \n  \nNovember 3rd\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Financing your Farm \nFinancing is a major barrier to many new farmers.  This panel will provide an overview of some of the different types of financing options and programs for new farmers and the requirements for them.  There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of the representatives from different financing institutions and organizations (such as Fair Finance Fund and Alterna). \nSpeakers: Sally Miller\, Fair Finance Fund \n  \nNovember 3rd\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: What are co-ops and what does a farm coop look like? \nCo-ops are collectively-owned and democratically-run businesses that put people and planet over profits.  Join our two speakers as we learn about different types of co-ops and what being part of a farm coop can look like. \nSpeakers: Christine Clarke\, Freedom Dreams Co-operative Education & TBA \n  \nNovember 6th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Marketing and Distribution \nHow do you create a successful marketing campaign for your business? This workshop will discuss how you conduct market research\, how you price your product and effectively promote it\, and how you evaluate market opportunities and possibilities.  We will also be looking at distributions and the various models for getting your product to the consumer. \nSpeakers: David Alexander\, Everdale Farm with guest farmer TBA \n  \nNovember 6th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Recordkeeping \nSmall businesses have an incredible amount of data to track. Join us for this half day workshop where we will discuss a variety of methods and tools for recordkeeping that can be used in a wide range of applications for farms of different scales.   \nSpeakers: David Alexander\, Everdale Farm with guest farmer TBA \n  \nNovember 8th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: An Introduction to Human Resources for Small-scale Farm Operations \nWhat makes for a good farm employer? This webinar will provide an overview of: a) Hiring and incentives; b) HR fundamentals; c) Interpersonal dynamics\, training\, and retention; and d) Planning\, task management\, and delegation. \nSpeaker: Brian Tammi\, Paradise Fields Farm \n  \nNovember 8th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Meeting Small Business Requirements on the Farm \nHow do you ensure you are doing everything you need to be doing as a business?  Are you registered? Are you taking advantage of everything you should be? Is it better to be a sole proprietorship or to incorporate? Kristel Manes from the Guelph-Wellington Business Centre will help participants understand what they should be doing in order to meet all requirements and ensure best practices. \nSpeakers: Kristel Manes\, Executive Director of the Guelph-Wellington Business Centre and Tony Morris \n  \nNovember 13th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Finances and Budgets \nThis workshop will focus on the key financial information that every small business owner should know. We will move from terminology into different ways of organizing your business monetary information. \nSpeaker: David Alexander\, Everdale with guest farmer Josh Noiseau \n  \nNovember 13th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Assembling your Business Plan \nA business plan is an essential tool in communicating your farm business’ needs\, goals and challenges and is often used to secure financing\, make sound decisions\, and keep your plans on track. This workshop will provide a business plan outline and provide tips and ideas about how best to incorporate farm-specific components.  \nSpeaker: David Alexander\, Everdale Farm with guest farmer TBA \n  \nNovember 15th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Intro to Organic Certification – Panel Discussion \nAre you considering organic certification for your farm or farm business? Join these expert panelists as they answer questions such as what is involved in organic certification\, what are the differences between animal and vegetable certification\, how does certification benefit farmers\, and much more! \nSpeakers: TBA \n  \nNovember 15th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Land access panel discussion \nOne of the top barriers for new farmers is access to land.  Join three panelists as they share their stories and ideas around innovative land access models.  They will also discuss organizations and supports that could be helpful in your own land access journey.  \nSpeakers: TBA \n  \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n  \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-4-ignatius-farm-new-farmer-training-program-2023/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230911T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20231025T160000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20230727T143349Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230908T162759Z
UID:16897-1694442600-1698249600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 3: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:*Register for the whole term or choose individual events.   \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \n  \nSeptember 11th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Beyond Land Acknowledgements \nJoin Indigenous Councillor\, author\, and community educator Chrystal Toop from the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg along with farmer and community facilitator Paul Wartman from Nova Scotia Mi’kma’ki for a creative exercise that guides participants through a 4-step planning tool to include reconciliatory justice into our everyday actions. Informed by their experiences\, participants will reflect on how they can take meaningful action. You will leave with resources to continue learning\, next steps to integrate better relations into your lives and farming careers\, and inspiration from the group. Plus\, you’ll be practicing a sweet little planning tool that you can apply to any situation. Everyone is welcome\, bring a pen/pencil\, and paper. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeakers: Chrystal Toop from Blackbird Medicines and Paul Wartman from Flororen Farm \n  \nSeptember 13th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Permaculture Panel Discussion \nPermaculture is an ethical holistic design system centered around earth care. Hear from three permaculture practitioners on what permaculture means to them and how they use it in their work\, business\, and life. \nSpeakers:  Bonita Ford\, Nicola Thomas\, and Jane Hayes \n  \nSeptember 18th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Preserving the harvest \nJoin Anterra and Lisa as they discuss food preserving methods\, why we do it\, what methods they like to use as well as tips and tricks they have learned along the way. \nSpeakers: Anterra Vsetula-Sheffield and Lisa Conroy\, Farm Educators at Ignatius Farm \n  \nSeptember 20th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Selling at a Farmers’ Market \nWhat makes a stall at a Farmers’ market successful? Hear from 2 farmers from different regions in Ontario about their experiences vending at farmers’ markets\, as well as lessons and tips they have learned. \nSpeakers: Kyle Warren County Left Farm\, Isaiah Katerberg Duurzame Growers \n  \nSeptember 25th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Starting a cattle herd \nHave you been thinking about starting your own cattle herd but not sure how to start and what you need? Join Katrina for this webinar discussing what you need to start your own herd.  We will talk about the infrastructure\, fencing\, and the many other considerations you need to take into account before you start. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Katrina McQuail\, Meeting Place Organic Farm \n  \nSeptember 27th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: What to look for when buying or renting land \nAre you daunted by the prospect of buying or renting land? Hear from our panel of speakers about what to look for when renting or buying land and what questions you may need to ask before you enter into an agreement. \nSpeakers: Angel Beyde\, Lorne Jamieson\, Martina Schaefer\, Spiral Farm \n  \nOctober 4th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Field Day at Mount Wolfe Farm & Deeper Roots Farm \n  \nOctober 16th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Seed Saving  \nDo you want to produce some of your seed on-farm? In this webinar you will learn what crops are easiest for beginner-level seed production\, how to plan your production to minimize cross-pollination\, the number of  plants required to maintain genetic viability and varietal strength as well as how to collect\, clean and store your seed. \nSpeaker: Rebecca Ivanoff\, EFAO & Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security \n  \nOctober 18th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Yoga for farmers – restoring the nervous system & fascia \nJoin us for this hands on webinar where you will be led into a practice on how to do simple and effective exercises and movements to reset and relax your body to sustain & restore during the last part of the season. It will start with slowing down\, then gentle movements and finally deep restorative poses. There will be a PDF that you can print and use as a tool to practice “off the mat and into the field” what you have learned.  \n  \nOctober 23rd\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Virtual Tour of Bao Bao Farm \nJoin us for this online tour of Bao Bao Farm in Perth\, Ontario. Bao Bao Farm aims to foster biodiversity on the farm and bring cultural diversity to the local farmer’s market. Using no-till and biointensive methods with mostly hand tools\, the farm produces a variety of culturally significant Asian vegetables\, as well as seasonal staples. \nSpeaker: Shini Ko\, Bao Bao Farm \n  \nOctober 25th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Vegetable Crop Planning \nAn introduction to the basics of vegetable crop planning.  What are you growing\, how much\, and where? Angie Koch of Fertile Ground Farm will share her over 15 years of experience in crop planning and offer tools and ideas to think about when doing your own crop plan. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Angie Koch\, Fertile Ground Farm \n  \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n  \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-3-ignatius-farm-new-farmer-training-program-2023/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230424T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230731T200000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20230412T162543Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230523T141653Z
UID:15632-1682328600-1690833600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 2: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:*Register for the whole term or choose individual events.   \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \nApril 24th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-term Participants’ Meet-up \n  \nMay 1st\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Field and Bed Preparation  \nBefore you can plant\, you need to prepare the soil. This webinar will discuss methods of field and bed preparation\, the dangers of over cultivation\, and innovative no-till options. Primary and secondary tillage equipment will be shown as well as smaller-scale and hand-tool options.  A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \nMay 3rd\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Weed Management  \nThis webinar will cover defining and the basic biology of weeds. We will identify the top weeds at Ignatius Farm and go over how to monitor weeds. Tips and strategies for prevention\, as well as tackling weeds with various tools\, hands-on practices\, pesticide alternatives\, and other useful equipment. A recording of this event will be available. \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \nMay 8th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Principles of Harvest and Post-Harvest  \nThe moment you’ve been waiting for! You’ve worked hard all season. Nurtured\, watered\, weeded\, trellised\, and talked sweetly to your plants. Now you get to enjoy the fruits of your labour. \nKaren Campbell of Everdale Farm will join us to describe the critical steps to harvest your bounty to achieve the best results. Participants will learn the optimal times to harvest different crops\, techniques for the handling\, cooling and storage to ensure the best quality and optimal shelf-life of your produce. A recording of this event will be available. \nSpeaker: Karen Campbell\, Everdale Farm \n  \nMay 10th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Seedling Production and Greenhouse Management  \nStarting your own seedlings can be challenging. Join this webinar to learn some tips and tricks to producing high quality healthy seedlings as well as good greenhouse management techniques. Sophie Clark shares her experience running a professional organic seedling nursery. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Sophie Clark \n  \nMay 24th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Cover Crops and Green Manures  \nWhat is cover cropping and green manure? \nThis webinar will answer these questions and more\, and discuss why they’re important in crop rotations. Learn how the practice of cover cropping and green manure can increase soil health\, crop health\, and soil water retention. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Stephanie Vickers\, Horticulture Sustainability Specialist\, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Rural Affairs \n  \nMay 31st\, time TBA: Field Day at Green Being Farm (AM) & All Sorts Acres (PM)  \n  \nJune 5th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Setting Up an Urban Farm   \nWant to farm but you live in the city? Join us for this webinar on setting up an urban farm.  We will discuss what you need to consider before you start and some of the challenges you may face along the way. A recording of this event will be available. \nSpeaker: Elana Evans \n  \nJune 7th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Bee Keeping (Webinar or in-person workshop) at Tuckamore Bee Company   \nWhat’s the buzz about beekeeping? Join the Tuckamore Bee Company crew to learn about the basics of keeping bees\, what you need to get started and some common challenges for beginners. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeakers: Tuckamore Bee Company Crew \n  \nJune 12th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Growing Medicinal Herbs  \nJoin Shabina Lafleur-Gangji as she shares her experience with growing herbs for medicine and tea\, including how growing herbs is different from growing vegetables\, harvest and drying techniques\, as well as tips and tricks she has found useful over the years. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Shabina Lafleur-Gangji\, co-director of  Seed\, Soil and Spirit School \n  \nJune 14th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Keeping Sheep Are you interested in keeping sheep? Join Brenda Hsueh as she talks us through the challenges and benefits of sheep farming.  Brenda and her family run Black Sheep Farm; an organic farm\, raising sheep on pasture for lamb meat\, fibre\, and tanned lambskins. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Brenda Hsueh\, Black Sheep Farm \n  \nJune 19th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Artisanal Livestock Production \nAre you curious about keeping a diversity of livestock in an ecologically sustainable manner? Join Josh from Evermeadow Farm to learn more about the practical aspects of keeping pasture raised poultry as well as how they integrate sheep and pigs into their farm. At Evermeadow Farm they believe that economically viable agriculture is not only compatible with widespread ecological restoration but may actually be essential to it. \nSpeaker: Joshua Noiseux\, Evermeadow Farm \n  \nJune 21st\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Land Regeneration and Reconciliation  \nWhat is your connection to the soil? Honouring and taking care of the land is woven into Indigenous cultures all over the world. Before we can move forward in regeneration and reconciliation we must look back at the knowledge from our past\, to remember those who came before us\, and remember our relationship to the land. Our job as ecological farmers is to start with examining our relationship to the land and its past. Participants will watch a section of  a recorded interview with Cindy Crowe\, Elder\, Lodgekeeper\, author\, and band member of the Opwaaganisiniing (Red Rock Indian Band). Join Nicola as she guides us to examine those connections. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Nicola Thomas\, Sankofa Ecological Wellness \n  \nJune 24th\, time TBA: Identifying Insect Pests and Diseases (Optional in-person Workshop) \n  \nJune 26th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Irrigation Principles  \nWater is Life. Plants definitely require water to thrive and survive and in this webinar David Alexander of Everdale Farm will introduce in-depth the principles of irrigation and the many options available according to your needs. David will explain the importance of monitoring water stress on plants and when and how much to irrigate. A recording of this event will be available. \nSpeaker: David Alexander\, Everdale Farm \n  \nJuly 5th\, time TBA: Field Day at Good Lot Brewery (AM) & Everdale Farm (PM) \n  \nJuly 10th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Orchard Care (Webinar or in-person workshop) \nJoin us for a holistic fruit tree care workshop focused on summer pruning\, and how pruning integrates with key aspects of fruit tree botany and physiology\, pest management strategies\, and other best practices for maintaining a healthy and productive home orchard. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Matt Soltys\, The Urban Orchardist \n  \n  \nJuly 12th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Flower Production \nFlowers are one of the most profitable crops to grow per square foot. Join us for this webinar where we discuss how to efficiently and successfully begin growing or add floral crops to your current production system\, using regenerative growing practices\, and how to market those flowers for farmers’ markets\, boutiques\, wholesalers\, and wedding clients! \nSpeaker: Akosua Asare\, re.Planted Farm and Florals \n  \nJuly 17th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Farmer Mental Health \nFarming can be a stressful job. Many aspects of farming come with significant challenges such as high financial risk\, heavy physical labour\, extreme weather and unpredictable supply chains. Unfortunately\, farmers are less likely to seek the help of professionals. Join us for this webinar to find out about programs geared towards helping farmers address their mental health challenges and learn some tips to help you cope with day to day stress. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: TBA\, CMHA\, Agriculture Wellness Ontario \n  \nJuly 19th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Virtual Field Day at Pfisterer Farm  \nJoin us for a virtual tour of Pfisterer farm – a first generation 100 acre farm just outside of Damascus Ontario. They produce sustainably-raised pastured meats\, free range eggs\, and seasonal products sold direct to consumer along with field crops and custom farming. \nSpeaker: Jess Pfisterer\, Pfisterer Farm \n  \nJuly 24th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Composting  \nLearn how to recycle nutrients back into the soil to build your growing space and community! This webinar includes a recorded tour of an on-farm compost operation using passive windrow\, ASP\, vermicomposting\, and three-bin composting systems for re-processing valuable farm and food resources into compost. Designed for growers on numerous scales we will cover the basics and mechanics of composting along with an open Q and A to answer your compost-related questions. \nParticipants will also get access to an online book about recycling food resources and compost in Ontario. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Fianna Dirks \n  \nJuly 26th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: How to Strengthen and Get Fit while Farming  \nFarming can “back-breaking” work\, but it shouldn’t be! During this hands on webinar you will be lead into a practice on how to do simple + effective exercises and movements to strengthen and stretch your body to prep & thrive the ascending season. It will start with body awareness\, then posture and finally targeted exercises. \nThere will be a PDF that you can print and use as a tool to practice what you have learned “off the mat and into the field”. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Julie Bradley-Low\, Stonegrove Wellness Studio \n  \nJuly 31st\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-term participants’ de-brief meet-up\, online \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-2-ignatius-farm-new-farmer-training-program/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230411T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230420T200000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20230331T211741Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230406T150654Z
UID:15487-1681205400-1682020800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 1: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:*Register for the whole term or choose individual events.   \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \n  \nApril 11th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Introduction to Organic Growing \n Are you wanting to grow your own vegetables but are not sure how to get started? Join this webinar for an overview of how to start growing vegetables using organic principles. Topics will include the basics of getting to know your site\, common tools\, site preparation\, planting\, pest management\, harvesting\, and extending the season.   \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \nApril 11th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-term Participants’ Meet-up\, Online \n  \nApril 12th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Introduction to Soil Health \nSoil is the foundation of growing healthy food. Learn the properties of soils and how to maintain and build soil health. We will discuss the types of soils and their attributes\, how to keep soils healthy and what activities contribute to degrading\, maintaining\, and building healthy soils.   \nSpeaker: Sarah Larsen\, Research and Small Grains Programs Director\, EFAO \n  \nApril 13th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Language of Ecological Agriculture and Food Systems in Ontario – Part 1 \nPart 1 of 2: What is organic agriculture? What does regenerative mean? What is the difference between permaculture\, agroecology\, and biodynamic farming? Join us for a discussion about the language of ecological agriculture and start thinking about how and where your farm might fit.  \nSpeaker: Thorsten Arnold\, Grey-Bruce Centre for Agroecology and Persephone Market Garden \n  \nApril 14th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Language of Ecological Agriculture and Food Systems in Ontario – Part 2 \nPart 2 of 2: What is organic agriculture? What does regenerative mean? What is the difference between permaculture\, agroecology\, and biodynamic farming? Join us for a discussion about the language of ecological agriculture and start thinking about how and where your farm might fit.  \nSpeaker: Thorsten Arnold\, Grey-Bruce Centre for Agroecology and Persephone Market Garden \n  \nApril 17th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Botany for Farmers and Gardeners \nThis webinar will provide an introduction to botany for gardeners\, farmers\, and foodies. Topics will include vegetable classification and why this is important\, parts of a plant\, pollination and common pests and diseases.   \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \nApril 18th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Farm Workers Rights and Responsibilities \nDid you know that farm worker rights differ from general employee rights? Many new farm workers are uninformed about their rights and responsibilities. This webinar will clarify the different rights and responsibilities relating to working on Ontario farms.   \nSpeaker: David Thompson\, Farm Labour Project Coordinator\, National Farmers Union Ontario \n  \nApril 19th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Identifying and Controlling Pests and Diseases \nUnfortunately we are not the only ones who find our crops tasty! There is a whole world of insects and diseases that find our crops delicious or a great home. This webinar gives you a basic understanding of the role of insects in agriculture and how to manage pests and diseases throughout the growing season.  \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \nApril 20th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Introduction to Indoor Growing \nThis webinar will cover the different types of indoor growing options and which crops can be grown indoors in the spring. The many benefits and challenges of this production system will be discussed.  \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \nApril 20th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-term participants’ de-brief meet-up\, online \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n  \n \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-1-ignatius-farm-new-farmer-training-program-2023/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20230411
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231116
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20230331T211327Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230526T134622Z
UID:15495-1681171200-1700092799@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Full Program: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:*Register here for the full program (4 Terms) or register for a single term or a single event by visiting the Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program webpage.    **All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \nFull Program Details\nTerm 1: April 11th – 20th\, 9:30am – 11:00am\nTerm 1 provides foundational knowledge and language for basic farm work. Schedule: \n\nApril 11th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Introduction to Organic Growing\nApril 11th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-Term Participants Meet-up\nApril 12th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Introduction to Soil Health\nApril 13th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Language of Ecological Agriculture and Food Systems in Ontario – Part 1\nApril 14th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Language of Ecological Agriculture and Food Systems in Ontario – Part 2\nApril 17th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Botany for Farmers and Gardeners\nApril 18th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Farm Workers Rights and Responsibilities\nApril 19th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Identifying and Controlling Pests and Diseases\nApril 20th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Introduction to Indoor Growing\nApril 20th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-Term Participants De-brief\n\n\n\nTerm 2: May to July\, Mondays & Wednesdays\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nTerm 2 focuses on learning about specialized aspects of farming.   Schedule (may be subject to change): \n\nApril 24th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-Term Participants Meet-up\nMay 1st\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Field and Bed Preparation\nMay 3rd\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Weed Management\nMay 8th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Harvest and Post-Harvest Principles\nMay 10th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Seedling Production and Greenhouse Management\nMay 24th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Cover Crops\nMay 31st\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: In-person Field Day (TBA)\nJune 5th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Setting up an Urban Farm\nJune 7th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Beekeeping\nJune 12th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Growing Medicinal Herbs\nJune 14th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Keeping Sheep\nJune 19th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Artisanal Livestock Production\nJune 21st\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Land Regeneration and Reconciliation\nJune 24th\, time TBA: Identifying Insect Pests and Diseases (in-person workshop)\nJune 26th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Irrigation Basics\nJuly 5th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: In-person Field Day (TBA)\nJuly 10th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Orchard Care\nJuly 12th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Flower Production\nJuly 17th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Mental Health for Farmers\nJuly 19th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: TBA\nJuly 24th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Composting\nJuly 26th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: How to Strengthen and Get Fit for Farming\n\n\nAugust break \n  \nTerm 3: September to October\, Mondays & Wednesdays\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nTerm 3 expands beyond the basics to build skills for a specialized farm. Schedule coming soon! \n\n10 webinars/ virtual field days\, such as: Apiculture\, Permaculture\, Livestock (various)\, a deeper dive into some terms 1 and 2 topics.\nOnline meet-ups for full term participants.\n\n\n\nTerm 4: November 1st\, 3rd\, 6th\, 8th\, 13th and 15th\, 9:30am – 11:00am & 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nTerm 4 provides entrepreneurship training for operating a farm business. Schedule coming soon! \n\n12 webinars\, such as: Farm Design\, Business planning\, Production system management\, Budgets & Record keeping\, Marketing and distribution\, Financing\, and Land access.\nOnline meet-ups for full term participants.\n\n\nFull program (all 4 Terms) participants receive a Certificate for completing the Ignatius New Farmer Training Program.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/full-ignatius-farm-new-farmer-training-program/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/ClaireCoulter-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230301T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230329T160000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20230113T221601Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230227T150423Z
UID:14685-1677673800-1680105600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Living Soils Intensive
DESCRIPTION:This course runs from 12:30-4:00pm every Wednesday in March (March 1-29). Sessions will be recorded and shared with course participants\, however participants are strongly encouraged to attend as many sessions live as possible as each week builds on the one before. \nJoin Vivian Kaloxilos from Docterre Soil Life Regeneration for a five week deep dive into the world of living soils as the basis of regenerative agriculture. The course will include thorough coverage of living soils principles\, theory\, and science. There will be a focus on practical on-farm techniques to foster thriving soils that in turn support healthy\, resilient food production. Participants will leave understanding how to apply their learning to their specific farming and/or food production context. This course will be relevant no matter your crop or scale or current farming practices — from conventional to organic and everything in between. This is the last live full course training that Vivian has planned for the foreseeable future — don’t miss out. Prices increase February 20th at midnight! \nIn addition to the online course\, EFAO will host a minimum of one in-person Living Soils Workshop in southwestern Ontario (St Thomas/London area) at the end of April 2023\, at additional cost. The online course is a mandatory prerequisite for participating in the in-person workshop. Each workshop will provide additional hands-on learning.  \nParticipants will have the opportunity to register for one of the following options: \n\nRegister for the online portion of the course ONLY\nRegister for the online course + add on an in-person southwestern Ontario workshop\nRegister for the online course + indicate interest in an in-person workshop in their region (other than southwestern Ontario) if one is offered *\n\nIf you do not wish to register for the workshop in southwestern Ontario but would be interested in registering for one in your region\, please register for the Online Course only and indicate your interest in a workshop in your region when prompted. \n*EFAO will organize more late spring workshops in other regions of Ontario when there are 10+ participants interested from a particular region. If you are interested in hosting a workshop at your farm for your region\, please indicate this when asked on the registration form. \nCourse Outline \nSession 1: Living Soils & Soil Ecology Theory.  Learn about the relationships between the soil microbiome and plants; the ecosystem services of soil; the relationship between soil health and agroecological principles; and understanding the impacts of various management decisions on the soil ecosystem\, e.g. tillage\, soil amendments\, etc. \nSession 2: Everything Compost. Learn the differences between a market compost\, an ecologically complete compost\, fungal vs bacterial compost\, and when to use which compost type and for what.  This session will cover the realities of on farm composting\, advantages of making or buying compost\, and how to decide what system to use at your farm and what techniques (e.g. vermicomposting\, thermal composting\, bioreactor\, balanced recipes) will help you accomplish your composting goals. \nSession 3: Compost Teas and Extracts. Learn what compost teas and extracts are and when and why to use them; when to use one over the other; and additional information on practices such as using nettle ferments\, kelp ferments\, and other soil foodweb foods like kelp and fish. This session will cover the equipment needed to make teas and extracts\, and how to modify equipment on the farm to make use of these products. Finally\, this session will discuss the different options for making or buying an extractor or brewer system \nSession 4: Microscopy. This session is about understanding what functional soil biodiversity analyses are\, what the data practically means for your farm\, and how this data differs from  traditional NPK testing and other microbial testing methods. We will also discuss the timing of when or why functional soil biodiversity testing might be useful. We will discuss the situations in which a farmer might need basic microscopy skills for monitoring liquid inoculums. We will look under the microscope together. \nSession 5: Integrating learning. This session will focus on group sharing and reflection on individual soil health plans that participants have created throughout the course.  \nIn-person Workshop (optional): Participants in the Living Soils course will have the opportunity to add on an optional in-person workshop\, at an additional cost of $100. You must participate in the online course to be eligible to attend a workshop. Workshops include: \n\nApproximately 6 hours of additional in-person content\, hands-on learning\, and community building\nField observations\, soil and compost sampling\, analysis and microscopy in practice all together\nTour and discussion with the host farm\n\nWorkshops do not include meals. Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch! \nAbout the instructor: \nVivian is passionate about the natural world\, assisting and documenting life and biodiversity as it bounces back from states of degradation. She is an ecologist who specializes in soil ecology and applied soil life regeneration. She sees herself as a support system to farmers and landowners who are at the front lines of the regenerative movement. Through her company Docterre\, founded in 2015\, she has been educating\, supporting and accompanying farmers in their processes of regenerating soil biodiversity\, understanding the connection between the health of subterranean biodiversity and above ground plant and ecosystem health and performance\, and helping them to develop the practical skills needed to do so. She has been looking at agricultural soils and composts across Quebec and Ontario under her microscope for a decade\, supporting the work of ecologically innovative farmers and documenting their trials this way. Vivian is a master compost maker\, providing compost inoculums that are ecologically balanced and biologically rich\, which her clients use to make liquid compost extracts on farm. She has guided many farmers in on farm compost extract production\, on farm composting\, microscopy\, and understanding the agroecological systematic approaches needed to go hand in hand with soil ecology for results in the field. She’s seen the reality of applying regenerative practices on many types and scales of farms. Before founding Docterre\, she taught and mentored Dr. Elaine Ingham’s soil consultants around the globe\, was a graduate of McGill’s School of Environment and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in applied field ecology\, and completed her Permaculture Design Certificate. Today she sees herself as an ecologist at the service and support of a farmer-led regenerative movement\, and her wish above all else is to see a renewed and thriving culture\, reintegrated in ecology\, and that the natural balance be restored. \nEFAO offers limited financial assistance to farmers facing barriers to participation\, and will prioritize support for equity-deserving farmers. If cost is a barrier to participation\, please fill out this form.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/living-soils-intensive/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Living-Soils-Course8-e1673647191644.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230224T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230310T140000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20230112T200445Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230223T162843Z
UID:14642-1677240000-1678456800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Learn to Farm Mushrooms Series
DESCRIPTION:Mushrooms are a unique crop that are gaining in popularity and are sure to set you apart in local markets. Species can be cultivated outdoors and indoors and production is easily scaled to meet your goals. Join farmer\, author\, and educator Steve Gabriel for a three part series introducing aspects of successful farm-scale growing and sales of shiitake\, oyster\, lions mane\, and other specialty mushrooms. Each class will offer a lecture for the first hour or so\, and leave plenty of time for Q&A to respond to the interests of those gathered.  \nRegister for individual sessions on the EFAO Events page or access bundle savings by registering for the series here! \n  \nFebruary 24: Outdoor Mushroom Cultivation \nProduction on logs\, stumps\, and beds of wood chips and compost offer mushroom production systems that respond to the natural seasons and a direct connection to healthy soil and forest management. This session will focus on log-grown shiitake as an anchor for profitable outdoor production\, but also introduce several secondary species and techniques.  \n  \nMarch 3: Indoor Mushroom Cultivation  \nWhen growing in a controlled climate\, one can achieve consistent high yields and even extend the production season far beyond the bounds of outdoor systems. Learn about how spaces such as barns\, basements\, high tunnels\, and dedicated structures can all support mushroom production\, and the tools and tricks for keeping consistent temperature\, humidity\, light\, and air exchange resulting in beautiful flushes of high quality mushrooms.  \n  \nMarch 10: Harvest\, Marketing\, and Sales \nYou can’t make an income growing mushrooms – you have to sell them! Right now\, mushrooms are having a moment\, and good margins for small\, local producers. Learn approaches to budgeting and scaling production to meet income goals. Consider the practical and regulatory aspects of harvesting and selling fresh mushrooms and value added products. Weigh the pros and cons of various sales outlets including farmers markets\, CSAs\, restaurants\, and wholesale accounts.   \n  \nAbout Steve Gabriel \nSteve Gabriel is an ecologist\, author\, and educator living in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State in the US. Throughout his career\, Steve has taught thousands of people regenerative methods for healing landscapes and generating income. His focus has largely been on mushroom cultivation and agroforestry practices. Alongside his family\, he co-stewards Wellspring Forest Farm\, producing mushrooms\, pastured lamb\, trees\, and hosting educational events and agritourism rentals. He consults for a wide range of projects from individual farms to national and international organizations.\nHe served as extension specialist for the Cornell Small Farms Program for 12 years and developed the leading specialty mushroom research and education program within an academic institution in the USA. He has served as guest faculty at Cornell University\, Sterling College\, Paul Smith’s College\, and the Omega Center for Sustainable Living. Steve co-authored Farming the Woods with Ken Mudge in 2014\, and is author of the new book Silvopasture\, released in 2018.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/learn-to-farm-mushrooms-series/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/ShiitakeLog-square-2017-08-07-09.29.31-e1673552175262.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230209T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230413T140000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20230110T204815Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230213T164326Z
UID:14600-1675944000-1681394400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Principles and Practices of Holistic Management
DESCRIPTION:Is your farm business struggling to make a profit? Are your land\, water and ecosystems in need of rejuvenation? Do you struggle with the farm-work-life balance? Are you wondering about how you can pass on your farm and legacy? \nHolistic Management helps farmers discover tools to make better\, more informed decisions to reach your family and farm goals. \nThis course will be held over 10 weeks in February\, March and April 2023\, consisting of 10 x 2 hour online sessions from 12-2pm. The course will cover the main elements of Holistic Management – Goal setting\, Financial Planning\, Decision Testing\, Monitoring (decisions and ecosystem processes) and Planned Grazing.  Holistic Management has been helping farm and ranch families make better decisions for their people\, their land and their finances for over 50 years.  This course can serve as an introduction to Holistic Management for those new to HM.  It will also provide an opportunity for review and refinement for those already familiar with HM.  The course will be facilitated by Tony McQuail\, Holistic Management Certified Educator. \nParticipants will have access to digital Holistic Management manuals for goal setting\, decision testing\, financial planning\, biological monitoring and planned grazing. \nThe first 3 sessions will explore goal setting and decision testing\, the next three will go through the financial planning process and the final sessions will cover monitoring\, grazing planning and review goal setting and decision testing after participants have had a chance to use their holistic goal and test decisions during the previous weeks.  During the course participants will have been able to develop an initial holistic goal\, a draft financial plan and\, depending on the operation\, a grazing plan or crop or garden plan. \nRecordings of the sessions will be sent to all registrants after they take place. \nNote: There is a minimum and maximum number of participants we can accommodate\, and running the course will depend on registration numbers. Prices listed are per farm team. Prices increase February 2nd- register today! \nThis course is an OSCIA-recognized On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for applicants with approved Rotational Grazing Systems projects. Participants must attend at least 8 out of the 10 course sessions live in order to count this as a KSE. Questions about OFCAF should be directed to OFCAF@ontariosoilcrop.org \nAbout the Facilitator: Tony McQuail bought his farm near Lucknow\, Ontario in 1973. He and his wife\, Fran\, have run a diversified organic farm raising livestock\, a small apple orchard and operated a community supported garden. McQuail was an early adopter of rotational grazing and has decades of experience in pasture management and fencing systems. At Meeting Place Organic Farm they raise grass fed and finished beef\, pastured pork and pastured poultry and have done some experimenting with cocktail cover crops. They do much of their farming with work horses and provide training in this skill to apprentices. They took a played out crop farm from approximately 1.5 soil organic matter to 3.5 to 7% organic matter moving CO2 from the atmosphere into the soil. The McQuails have transferred the farm operation to their daughter Katrina and continue to be actively involved in it.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/principles-practices-holistic-management/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/HM-photo-square-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230201T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230308T213000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20230109T190457Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230127T214142Z
UID:14557-1675279800-1678311000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Introduction to Regenerative Livestock Course
DESCRIPTION:Course Overview\nIn this six-week course\, mother-daughter team Fran and Katrina McQuail of Meeting Place Organic Farm will dive deep into how to go about caring for all varieties of livestock\, including poultry (laying hens\, meat birds\, ducks\, geese\, & turkeys)\, ruminants (sheep\, goats\, & cattle)\, and hogs\, in a way that pays mind to both soil & ecosystem health\, and farm financial sustainability. \nYou’ll learn the fundamentals of caring for livestock\, how to make livestock farming a viable business\, and there will be plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion to ensure you leave with the info you need! \nIs this course right for me?\nThis course will be particularly well-suited to those just starting out or planning to start out with livestock\, who wish to explore the fundamentals of each livestock option and determine which is best suited to their farm operation. This course will also be relevant to those with intermediate knowledge of livestock\, but who wish to brush up on their knowledge of one or more cow-tegories of livestock or gain new perspectives from seasoned instructors. \nThe course can be attended in its entirety\, or you can sign up for individual sessions on our events page. See below for the course outline. \nCourse Outline\nFebruary 1: Introduction- background of Meeting Place Organic Farm and course instructors; benefits and challenges of keeping livestock; assessing your location and any existing facilities; identifying resources; introduction to grazing plans \nFebruary 8: Poultry (including hens\, meat chickens\, ducks\, and turkeys\, as well as quail and geese if there is interest) \nFebruary 15: Pigs \nFebruary 22: Small ruminants (sheep and goats) \nMarch 1: Cattle (and draft horses if there is interest) \nMarch 8: Course wrap-up and Q&A; processing livestock; animal husbandry standards and certifications; marketing; writing a grazing plan \n***Course pricing increases on January 26th*** \nAbout the instructors: \nFran McQuail: Fran McQuail and her husband\, Tony\, have run a small diversified certified organic farm ( Meeting Place Organic Farm)  near Lucknow\, Ontario for 40 years. After turning the business over to their daughter\, Katrina\, they still live on the farm and continue to be actively involved with it. \nThe farm evolved over the years from a small homestead livestock style operation to a commercial enterprise but still with a wide diversity of livestock. They have raised everything from rabbits to goats to horses and most other types of livestock along the way. They were early adopters of Holistic Management’s Planned Grazing\, a rotational grazing system that improves the pasture over time by considering the plants in addition to the animals.  Planned Grazing of all livestock is the foundation of the farm’s current production. This include meat chickens\, layers\, pigs\, cattle and draft horses. The farm’s website is www.meetingplaceorganicfarm.ca \nFran\, a past President of EFAO\, enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with others and has done livestock and farm management courses for EFAO in the past. \nKatrina McQuail: Katrina McQuail returned to Meeting Place Organic Farm in 2014 and took over the farm business in 2016. Born and raised in Huron County on the farm\, Katrina took a round about way back to becoming a farmer. Spending over 10 years away\, Katrina completed a degree in Business and Not For Profit Management and a minor in French at Earlham College in Indiana before going on to work in the culinary industry\, traveling in the Caribbean\, Central and South America as well as in Europe\, and working for government and corporate agencies before running a wonderful social change not-for-profit in Guelph for 4 years. \nCurrently Katrina serves on the EFAO board\, just stepped back from the Eat Local Huron Board and is the assistant clerk for Friends General Conference. Katrina is passionate about all things farmy – but especially pigs. Katrina and her partner Ben live on the farm with their two young children. Planned Grazing of all livestock is the foundation of the farm’s current production. This includes meat chickens\, layers\, pigs\, cattle and draft horses. The farm’s website is www.meetingplaceorganicfarm.ca \nIn order to make this course accessible to all participants\, EFAO will strive to cover registration fees for anyone who needs financial assistance. EFAO strongly encourages anyone facing financial barriers to participation to request support by completing this form.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/introduction-regenerative-livestock-course-efao-2023/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Regenerative-Livestock-Course2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230117T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230321T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20221213T135147Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230113T171647Z
UID:14479-1673983800-1679432400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Online Farm Planning Course
DESCRIPTION:EFAO and Everdale have partnered once again to offer this intensive farm planning course for new and beginning farmers. \nThinking about starting a farm business? Already running one but struggling with business planning? If you’re ready to start planning your farm business\, this course is for you! \nCourse Overview\nThis ten week\, comprehensive course will walk you through the steps to write a detailed farm plan for your farm business. Each week will consist of a pre-recorded webinar\, a “live” farmer-to-farmer session\, and optional group networking; as well as worksheets\, templates\, resource links and farm case studies. \nLive sessions take place every Tuesday evening at 7:30pm on January 17th\, January 24th\, January 31st\, February 7th\, February 14th\, February 21st\, February 28th\, March 7th\, March 14th and March 21st. *All sessions will be recorded and shared with participants. \nIs this course right for me?\nThis Online Farm Planning Course is geared towards farmers who are serious about starting a farm business in the near future\, or who are already farming but have not yet completed a farm business plan. \nPlease note that getting the most out of this course requires an investment of time and thought. Aside from the 1 – 1.5 hr weekly online sessions\, there will be additional time needed to review pre-recorded video content (approximately 30min per week)\, and to complete the worksheets that will help you write your farm plan. There will also be optional group networking opportunities to meet other new and beginning farmers\, share experiences and troubleshoot. \nCourse Outline\nWeek 1: Farm Visioning \nWeek 2: Production Planning \nWeek 3: Marketing – Sales & Distribution \nWeek 4: Marketing – Promotional Strategies \nWeek 5: Recordkeeping \nWeek 6: Farm Financials – Introduction to Farm Financials \nWeek 7: Farm Financials – Budgeting \nWeek 8: Meeting Small Business Requirements \nWeek 9: Risk Management \nWeek 10: Accessing Financing \nTestimonials from past participants \n“We have a better understanding of the questions we have to ask and answer to ensure we farm successfully as a business. The practical advice and ideas we got are helping us develop our own plans that are right for us. The breadth and scope of the presenters also helped us develop a broader perspective on the variety of solutions and models out there.” \n“Connecting me with a like minded community has been very inspiring – I don’t have a farming background and have had one season working on a medium scale organic vegetable farm. It’s so cool to learn from different farmers and explore all the other methods\, practices and possibilities. The business information [was] very helpful\, to put dreams into perspective and see what it actually takes to develop a business.” \n“The biggest [tangible takeaway] was seeing so many other farmers that started in a similar position and are happy with the choice they made and have a viable farm.  That’s a major confidence boost and inspiration and I think that added so much to the course.” \n***Course pricing increases on January 13th*** \nIf you are a farmer living in northern Ontario\, you are eligible for a 10% discount on the registration fee for this course. Please fill out this form to confirm your eligibility. \nIn order to make this course accessible to all participants\, EFAO will strive to cover registration fees for anyone who needs financial assistance. EFAO strongly encourages anyone facing financial barriers to participation to request support by completing this form.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/online-farm-planning-course-2023/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/latevegjuly-10-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221117
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20221017T200533Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230223T151713Z
UID:14158-1667260800-1668643199@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 4: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:The Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program is a collaboration between the Ignatius Jesuit Centre\, EFAO\, Everdale and the National Farmers Union Ontario.  \n  \nEducational content is geared toward new farmers\, but is open to all farmers who might be curious about a certain topic\, wishing to expand their farming knowledge\, or in need of a refresh. \n  \nImportant Information:\n\nThe 2022 Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program is FREE for everyone! This program is a project of Employment Ontario and is funded in part by the Canadian Government and the Ontario Government\, and is a collaboration between the Ignatius Jesuit Centre\, EFAO\, Everdale and the National Farmers Union Ontario. \n  \n*Funding stipulations require participants to fill out a pdf registration form\, which you will receive upon registration for this event. Data will be collected and handled by Ignatius Jesuit Centre and the NFU -O and will be treated as confidential and only shared with the funding agency. \n  \nNeither EFAO nor Everdale will view\, handle or store any of the information in this form. \n  \n\n  \nTerm 4: Entrepreneurship Training for Starting a Farm Business\n  \n*Register for the whole term or choose individual events.   \n  \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \n  \n  \nNovember 1st\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-term Participants’ Meet-up\, Online \n  \n  \nNovember 2nd\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Holistic Farm Design \nAre you wanting to start a farm business but are not sure where to start? This workshop will cover the bigger picture questions surrounding the development of a whole farm plan. Where are you now and where are you headed? How will an agricultural business fit with the rest of your life and in your community?  What will be your enterprise of focus and how do you determine the scale of your business? These questions\, your questions and more will be discussed.  \nSpeaker: David Alexander\, Everdale \n  \n  \nNovember 2nd\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Planning for Production \nHaving a product to sell is the first step in running an agricultural business.  Learn the steps needed and tools available to begin developing a production plan.  Learn about different models and scales of production supports and find out what will work best for your business. \nSpeaker: David Alexander\, Everdale \n  \n  \nNovember 4th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: An Introduction to Human Resources for Small-scale Farm Operations \nWhat makes for a good farm employer? This webinar will provide an overview of: a) Hiring and incentives; b) HR fundamentals; c) Interpersonal dynamics\, training\, and retention; and d) Planning\, task management\, and delegation. \nSpeaker: Brian Tammi\, Paradise Fields Farm \n  \n  \nNovember 4th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: What are co-ops\, and why do they matter now? \nCo-ops are collectively-owned and democratically-run businesses that put people and planet over profits. As we ‘build back better’ in a post-COVID world\, what role can co-ops play in creating more equitable and inclusive workplaces?  \nSpeaker: Christine Clarke\, Freedom Dreams Co-operative Education \n  \n  \n  \nNovember 7th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Marketing and Distribution \nHow do you create a successful marketing campaign for your business? This workshop will discuss how you conduct market research\, how you price your product and effectively promote it\, and how you evaluate market opportunities and possibilities.  We will also be looking at distributions and the various models for getting your product to the consumer. \nSpeaker: David Alexander\, Everdale \n  \n  \n  \nNovember 7th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Finances and Budgets \nThis workshop will focus on the key financial information that every small business owner should know. We will move from terminology into different ways of organizing your business monetary information. \nSpeaker: David Alexander\, Everdale \n  \n  \nNovember 9th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Innovative Models of Land Access \nOne of the top barriers for new farmers is access to land.  Join three farmers as they share their stories and ideas around innovative land access models.  They will also discuss organizations and supports that could be helpful in your own land access journey.  \nSpeakers: TBD \n  \n  \nNovember 14th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Recordkeeping \nSmall businesses have an incredible amount of data to track.  Join us for this half day workshop where we will discuss a variety of methods and tools for recordkeeping that can be used in a wide range of applications for farms of different scales.   \nSpeaker: David Alexander\, Everdale \n  \n  \nNovember 14th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Assembling your business plan \nA business plan is an essential tool in communicating your farm business’ needs\, goals and challenges and is often used to secure financing\, make sound decisions and keep your plans on track.  This workshop will provide a business plan outline and provide tips and ideas about how best to incorporate farm-specific components.  \nSpeaker: David Alexander\, Everdale \n  \n  \nNovember 16th\, 9:30am – 11:00am: Meeting Small Business Requirements on the Farm \nHow do you ensure you are doing everything you need to be doing as a business? From registering your farm business\, to accessing business advantages\, to choosing a sole proprietorship versus incorporating\, there is a lot to consider! Kristel Manes from the Guelph-Wellington Business Centre will help participants understand what they should be doing in order to meet all requirements and ensure best practices. \nSpeaker: Kristel Manes\, Executive Director of the Guelph-Wellington Business Centre & Tony Morris \n  \n  \n  \nNovember 16th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Financing your Farm \nFinancing is a major barrier to many new farmers.  This panel will provide an overview of some of the different types of financing options and programs for new farmers and the requirements for them.  There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of the representatives from different financing institutions and organizations (such as Fair Finance Fund and Alterna). \n  \n  \nNovember 16th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-term participants’ de-brief meet-up\, online \n  \n  \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n  \n \n \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-4-ignatius-farm-new-farmer-training-program-2022/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220907
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221020
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20220815T175606Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230223T151800Z
UID:13311-1662508800-1666223999@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 3: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:The Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program is a collaboration between the Ignatius Jesuit Centre\, EFAO\, Everdale and the National Farmers Union Ontario.  \n  \nEducational content is geared toward new farmers\, but is open to all farmers who might be curious about a certain topic\, wishing to expand their farming knowledge\, or in need of a refresh. \n  \nImportant Information:\n\nThe 2022 Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program is FREE for everyone! This program is a project of Employment Ontario and is funded in part by the Canadian Government and the Ontario Government\, and is a collaboration between the Ignatius Jesuit Centre\, EFAO\, Everdale and the National Farmers Union Ontario. \n  \n*Funding stipulations require participants to fill out a pdf registration form\, which you will receive upon registration for this event. Data will be collected and handled by Ignatius Jesuit Centre and the NFU -O and will be treated as confidential and only shared with the funding agency. \n  \nNeither EFAO nor Everdale will view\, handle or store any of the information in this form. \n  \n\n  \nTerm 3: Building Farming Skills\n  \n*Register for the whole term or choose individual events.   \n  \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \n  \n  \nSeptember 7\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full term participants meet up\, Online \n  \n  \nSept 12\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Controlled Environments \nHydroponics\, vertical farming\, mushroom cultivation\, all require a controlled environment to achieve results year-round. \nEvan Bell from Water Farmers will talk us through some alternatives to growing outside where one is at the mercy of the elements\, the health of the soil\, pests\, etc. \n  \nSpeaker: Evan Bell\, Waterfarmers \n  \n  \nSept 14\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: What to Look For when Looking at Land \nThis panel of farmers will share the dos and don’ts\, the mistakes and tips they’ve learned along the way for searching and finding the right farm property. \n  \nAngel Beyde will share their journey after recently purchasing land\, Alex from Mulberry Moon Farm will talk about his experiences renting land and Lorne Jamieson will discuss the right steps to take when assessing potential properties. \n  \nWe will include a Q&A so get your questions ready or even send them along ahead of the event to Chris at Ignatius. \n  \nSpeakers: Angel Beyde\, Alex Glazirin from Mulberry Moon Farm & Lorne Jamieson \n  \n  \nSept 19\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Preserving the Harvest \nDo I have to blanch my beans before freezing? What do I do with all this eggplant? Should I dry my herbs or make into dips? I could never use that much pesto! How do I store my root vegetables? What is the difference between canning sauces versus refrigerator/freezer sauces? \nJoin this event to get the answers to all your preserving questions so that you can enjoy the bounty long after the harvest. \nSpeakers: Lisa Conroy\, Maria Sergio\, Chris MacLeod \n  \n  \nSept 21\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Intro to Biodynamics \nCory Eichman of Saugeen River CSA will give an introduction to Biodynamic farming principles and how to apply them to your farm. Cory has been involved in biodynamic farming since 1992 and manages an 80-acre mixed farm\, with a 5-acre market garden worked with draft horses. \n  \nSpeaker: Cory Eichman\, Saugeen River CSA \n  \n  \nSept 26\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Deeper Dive into Soil Health \nEvan Quigley runs a small scale organic vegetable farm in Wilton\, Ontario and is obsessed with soil! “The more successful we are at building and balancing our soil the better the plants may nourish us; and the benefits don’t end there.” At The Kitchen Garden Evan has observed fewer weeds\, healthy plants not plagued by pests or disease\, and greater yields. Evan attributes much of that to the health of the soil. \nJoin us for a deeper dive into soil health with Evan\, as he shares the knowledge and experience with soil that has helped The Kitchen Garden farm grow and thrive for 13 seasons. \nSpeaker: Evan Quigley\, The Kitchen Garden \n  \n  \nSept 28\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Permaculture \nPermaculture is a set of design principles centered on whole systems thinking\, simulating\, or directly utilizing the patterns and resilient features observed in natural ecosystems. This webinar will provide an introduction to permaculture and its principles with time to ask your own questions or share ideas. \nMichael Schimp will dispel the myths\, and help us better understand what all the hype is about. Most importantly he explains the benefit to us\, our growing crops\, and the planet\, when following a permaculture lifestyle. \nSpeaker: Michael Schimp\, Three Acre Permaculture \n  \nOct 3\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Virtual Tour of Piccolo Farm Organics \nJoin us for a virtual tour of Piccolo Farm Organics\, run by Steve D’Alimonte – a recent graduate of the Ignatius farm internship program and the Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program! \nAt Piccolo Farm Organics\, Steve grows Italian heirloom tomatoes\, herbs\, greens\, and garlic using regenerative\, no-till methods. Learn about his farm set up and journey to starting his farm business. \nSpeaker: Steve D’Alimonte\, Piccolo Farm Organics \n  \n  \nOct 5\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Restoring Practices for the Nervous System and Fascia \nLet’s face it: farmers can spend the whole year being stressed and nervous. From the weather (too much rain\, not enough rain) to ordering seeds\, crop planning\, managing staff\, and equipment repair! Your nervous system needs restorative practices to help combat all that stress. \nFarmer Yoga Teacher Julie Bradley-Low joins us again to further our knowledge and understanding of how warming up our bodies everyday can help us be a healthy and effective farmer. Julie includes techniques to bring body and mind to a place of calm. \nSpeaker: Julie Bradley-Low\, The Farmer Yoga Teacher \n  \n  \nOct 17\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Seed Saving \nBesides the obvious benefit of “free” after your first purchase of seedling or seed packet\, saving seeds from your own garden will produce a crop that naturally adapts to the environment in your backyard. You could also witness less pest or disease damage\, and your yield will improve in size and even taste. \nSeed saving\, and/or seed swapping is a great way to share with friends and your community and maybe get some seeds to try something new. \nThis event will elaborate on the above points and share the how-to\, and all the reasons why seed-saving might be your next favourite hobby! \nSpeaker: Rebecca Ivanoff\, Seed Program Manager\, EFAO \n  \n  \nOct 19\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Vegetable Crop Planning \nIn this webinar Angie Koch will share how to get started with a crop plan\, including how to lay out your fields\, what to grow\, and how much\, and how to stagger plantings throughout the season. \n  \nSpeaker: Angie Koch\, Fertile Ground Farm \n  \n  \nOct 24\, 7:00pm – 9:00pm: Full-term participants’ de-brief meet-up\, online. \n  \n  \nOct 26: Optional in-person Field Trip (TBD) \n  \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n  \n \n \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-3-ignatius-farm-new-farmer-training-program/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20220502T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20220803T200000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20220422T170523Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230223T152235Z
UID:12089-1651518000-1659556800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 2: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:The Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program is a collaboration between the Ignatius Jesuit Centre\, EFAO\, Everdale and the National Farmers Union Ontario.  \n  \nEducational content is geared toward new farmers\, but is open to all farmers who might be curious about a certain topic\, wishing to expand their farming knowledge\, or in need of a refresh. \n  \nImportant Information:\n\nThe 2022 Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program is FREE for everyone! This program is a project of Employment Ontario and is funded in part by the Canadian Government and the Ontario Government\, and is a collaboration between the Ignatius Jesuit Centre\, EFAO\, Everdale and the National Farmers Union Ontario. \n  \n*Funding stipulations require participants to fill out a pdf registration form\, which you will receive upon registration for this event. Data will be collected and handled by Ignatius Jesuit Centre and the NFU -O and will be treated as confidential and only shared with the funding agency. \nNeither EFAO nor Everdale will view\, handle or store any of the information in this form. \n  \n\n  \nTerm 2: Applying Farm Knowledge\n  \n*Register for the whole term or choose individual events.   \n  \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \n  \n  \nMay 2\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full term participants meet up\, Online \n  \n  \nMay 4th\, 9:30am – 11:30am: Optional in-person Field Day: Small Plot Agriculture at Ignatius Farm\, Guelph \nIf you’re in southwestern Ontario\, join us for this optional in-person field day at Ignatius Farm in Guelph to talk about small plot agriculture. \n  \n*Please sign up ahead of time using the Sign-up form on Moodle.  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nMay 9\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Field and Bed Preparation\, Online \n Before you can plant\, you need to prepare the soil. This webinar will discuss methods of field and bed preparation\, the dangers of over cultivation\, and innovative no-till options. Primary and secondary tillage equipment will be shown as well as smaller-scale and hand-tool options. Guest Farmer Seb Ramirez will contrast the differences between tractor\, BCS\, and no-till techniques. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeakers: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm & Seb Ramirez\, The Community Farmer \n  \n  \nMay 11\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Weed Management Techniques\, Online \nWhat are some common weeds and how do we manage them on a farm? This webinar will introduce the importance of managing weeds\, the basics of weed identification\, and various preventative and reactive control measures.  A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \n  \nMay 16\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Principles of Irrigation\, Online \nAn introduction to the importance of irrigation on farms\, water stress on plants\, when to irrigate and how much. Participants can expect to learn about different irrigation options\, discuss troubleshooting and where to source parts. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: David Alexander\, Everdale \n  \n  \nMay 18\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Principles of Harvest and Post Harvest\, Online \nHarvest and post-harvest handling are critical steps to ensure good quality produce with optimal shelf life. Learn important tips on things like harvest hygiene\, timing\, and techniques as well as post-harvest handling\, cooling\, and storage. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Karen Campbell\, Everdale \n  \n  \nJune 1\, 9:30am – 11:30am: Optional In-person Field Day: Seedling Production at Trout Lilly Nursery\, Guelph/Eramosa \nIf you’re in southwestern Ontario\, join us for this optional in-person field day at Trout Lilly Nursery to talk about seedling production. \n  \n*Please sign up ahead of time using the Sign-up form on Moodle.  \n  \n  \nJune 1\, 1:30pm – 3:30pm: Optional In-person Field Day: Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming\, Guelph \nIf you’re in southwestern Ontario\, join us for this optional in-person field day at the University of Guelph’s Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming to talk about farming within an institution. \n  \n*Please sign up ahead of time using the Sign-up form on Moodle.  \n  \n  \nJune 6\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Urban Farm Set-up\, Online \nWant to farm but stay in the city? Join us for this webinar on setting up an urban farm.  We will discuss what you need to consider before you start and some of the challenges you may face along the way. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Elana Evans \n  \n  \nJune 8\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Keeping Sheep\, Online \nHave you been wanting to keep livestock?  How about sheep!  Join Brenda Hsueh as she talks us through starting a sheep farm\, the challenges and benefits of integrating this into a vegetable farm.  Brenda and her family run Black Sheep Farm; an organic farm\, producing vegetables for CSA members and raising sheep on pasture for lamb meat\, fiber\, and tanned lambskins. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Brenda Hsueh\, Black Sheep farm \n  \n  \nJune 13\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: No-till Market Gardening\, Online \nJoin us for this webinar delving into practical ways to integrate no/low till methods into your garden/small farm.  Seb will discuss different tools and techniques he has found effective in a market garden setting\, as well as what some other growers in the no-till field have been exploring.  \nSpeaker: Seb Ramirez\, The CoOmmunity Farmer \n  \n  \nJune 15\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Cover Crops and Green Manures\, Online \nWhat is cover cropping and green manure? This webinar will answer these questions and discuss why they’re used in crop rotations. Learn how this practice can help increase soil health\, crop health\, and soil water retention. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Anne Verhallen\, Soil Management Specialist (Horticultural Crops)\, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Rural Affairs \n  \n  \nJune 20\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Flower Production\, Online \nJoin Melanie Harrington of Dahlia May Flower Farm for this webinar discussing some of the differences between vegetable and flower farming: from starting seeds to marketing and sales. From humble beginnings eight years ago\, Dahlia May Flower Farm has been featured by Better Homes and Gardens\, The Toronto Star\, CBC television and radio\, PayPal\, Google\, Canadian Florist Magazine and more. Dahlia May was named Agri-Business of the Year in 2019 at the Quinte Business Achievement Award and Melanie was awarded the title of Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018.  \nSpeaker: Melanie Harrington of Dahlia May Flower Farm \n  \n  \nJune 22\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Bee Keeping at Tuckamore Bee Company\, Online OR Optional in-person field day in Puslinch \nWhat’s the buzz about beekeeping? Join the Tuckamore Bee Company crew to learn about the basics of keeping bees\, what you need to get started and some common challenges for beginners. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeakers: Tuckamore Bee Company Crew \n*For the in-person field day\, please sign up ahead of time using the Sign-up form on Moodle.  \n  \n  \nJuly 6th\, 9:30am – 11:30am: Optional In-person Field Day: Fiddlehead Nursery\, Kimberley \nIf you’re in southwestern Ontario\, join us for this optional in-person field day at Fiddlehead Nursery in Kimberley. \n  \n*Please sign up ahead of time using the Sign-up form on Moodle.  \n  \n  \nJuly 6th\, 1:30pm – 3:30pm: Optional In-person Field Day: Sideroad Farm\, Markdale \nIf you’re in southwestern Ontario\, join us for this optional in-person field day at Sideroad Farm in Markdale. \n  \n*Please sign up ahead of time using the Sign-up form on Moodle.  \n  \n  \nJuly 11\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Composting\, Online \nLearn how to recycle nutrients back into the soil to build your growing space and community! This webinar will include a recorded tour of an on-farm compost operation using passive windrow\, ASP\, vermicomposting\, and three-bin composting systems for re-processing valuable farm and food resources into compost. Designed for growers on numerous scales we will cover the basics and mechanics of composting along with an open Q and A to answer any of your compost-related questions. Participants will also get access to an online book about recycling food resources and compost in Ontario. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Fianna Dirks\, Foodshare \n  \nJuly 13\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: How to Strengthen and Get Fit While Farming\, Online \nJoin us for a hands on webinar where you will be lead into a practice on how to do simple + effective exercises and movements to strengthen and stretch your body to prep & thrive the ascending season. It will start with body awareness\, then posture and finally targeted exercises. There will be a PDF that you can print and use as a tool to practice “off the mat and into the field” what you have learned. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Julie Bradley-Low\, Stonegrove Wellness Studio \n  \n  \nJuly 18\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Orchard Care\, Online \nJoin us for a holistic fruit tree care workshop focused on summer pruning\, and how pruning integrates with key aspects of fruit tree botany and physiology\, pest management strategies\, and other best practices for maintaining a healthy and productive home orchard.  \nSpeaker: Matt Soltys\, The Urban Orchardist \n  \n  \nJuly 20\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Beyond Land Acknowledgements\, Online \nJoin farmers Denise Atkinson from Thunder Bay\, traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg Peoples in Northwestern Ontario and Paul Wartman from Nova Scotia (Mi’kma’ki) for a creative exercise that guides participants through a 4-step planning tool to include reconciliatory justice into our everyday actions. Informed by their experiences\, participants will reflect on how they can take meaningful action. You will leave with resources to continue learning\, next steps to integrate better relations into your lives and farming careers\, and inspiration from the group. Plus\, you’ll be practicing a sweet little planning tool that you can apply to any situation. Everyone welcome\, bring a pen/pencil\, and paper. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeakers: Denise Atkinson\, Aweya Farm/Tea Horse & Paul Wartman\, Flororen Farm \n  \nJuly 25\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Pasture-raised Chickens\, Online \nAre you thinking of starting pasture raised poultry? Join Éric as he takes us through both the set up and day to day activities of pasture raised chickens as well as the business side of marketing and distribution. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Éric Blondin\, Three Forks Farm \n  \n  \nJuly 27\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Growing Medicinal Herbs\, Online \nJoin Shabina as she shares her experience with  growing herbs for medicine and tea. How is growing herbs different from vegetables\, harvest and drying techniques\, as well as tips and tricks she has found useful. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Shabina Lafleur-Gangji\, Seed\, Soil and Spirit School \n  \n  \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n  \n \n \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-2-ignatius-new-farmer-training-program/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220419
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220428
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20220323T184202Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230223T152248Z
UID:11855-1650326400-1651103999@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 1: Ignatius New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:The Ignatius New Farmer Training Program is a collaboration between the Ignatius Jesuit Centre\, EFAO\, Everdale and the National Farmers Union Ontario.  \n  \nEducational content is geared toward new farmers\, but is open to all farmers who might be curious about a certain topic\, wishing to expand their farming knowledge\, or in need of a refresh. \n  \nImportant Information About the 2022 Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program:\n\nThe 2022 Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program is FREE for everyone! This program is a project of Employment Ontario and is funded in part by the Canadian Government and the Ontario Government.\n\n\nAll course resources and recordings will only be available on the Moodle Course Platform. Instructions on how to set up a Moodle account will be sent to participants upon registration. \n\n  \nTerm 1: Establishing a foundation of knowledge and language for beginning farm work\n  \n*Register for the whole term or choose individual events.   \n  \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \n  \nApril 19:  \nFull term participants meet up: 7:00pm – 8:00pm\, on Zoom. \n  \nApril 20:  \nIntroduction to Organic Growing: 9:30am – 11:00 am  \nBotany for Farmers and Gardeners: 2:30pm – 4:00pm \n  \nApril 22:  \nThe Language of Ecological Agriculture Part 1: 9:30am – 11:00am \nThe Language of Ecological Agriculture Part 2: 2:30pm – 4:00pm \n  \nApril 25:  \nIdentifying and Controlling Pests and Disease: 9:30am – 11:00am  \nFarm Workers Rights and Responsibilities: 2:30pm – 4:00pm \n  \nApril 27th:  \nSoil Health: 9:30am – 11:00am \nIntro to Indoor Growing: 2:30pm – 4:00pm \nFull term participant debrief meet up: 7:00pm – 8:00pm\, on Zoom. \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n  \n \n \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-1-ignatius-new-farmer-training-program-2022/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20220131T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20220221T143000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20211222T224433Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220126T192802Z
UID:10982-1643632200-1645453800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Silvopasture Intensive
DESCRIPTION:Silvopasture is the integration of grazing livestock\, trees\, and forages which builds more productive and resilient farm ecosystems. This course will cover the basic key points for both converting woodlands and pasture to silvopasture systems\, discussing when a given piece of land is appropriate (and not)\, and the approach and tools needed to succeed. Participants will have access to a library of resources outside of class\, and be encouraged to do some planning on their own farm designs in between sessions. The live sessions with farmer and Silvopasture author Steve Gabriel will be focused on looking at various participant farms as case studies so we can collectively find solutions and connect to an Ontario-based community of practice around silvopasture. See more about Steve and his work at www.SilvopastureBook.com \n\nCourse Dates: January 31\, February 7\, 14\, 21\, 2022 (Weekly on Mondays) from 12:30-2:30pm (online over Zoom).\nPrices increase January 24th\, so don’t miss out- sign up now!\n\nThis course is suitable for all levels of silvopasture practitioners\, from beginners just dreaming of their first foray into silvopasture to more experienced practitioners looking to hone their practice or gain insight into a specific aspect of a project. Participants will also be provided with three Silvopasture recordings from the 2020 and 2021 EFAO conferences: Silvopasture in Practice\, Mapping a Successful Silvopasture\, and Silvopasture 201. These recordings are not required viewing\, but will provide background preparation if desired\, particularly for those who are newer to the subject. \nAbout the Instructor: Steve Gabriel is an ecologist\, forest farmer\, and educator living in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State in the US. Throughout his career\, Steve has taught thousands of farmers and land managers about the ways farming and forestry can be combined to both benefit the ecology and the bottom line of the farm. He is Agroforestry Extension Specialist for the Cornell Small Farm Program and has served as guest faculty at Cornell University\, Sterling College\, Paul Smiths College\, and the Omega Center for Sustainable Living. Alongside his wife\, Elizabeth\, he co-stewards Wellspring Forest Farm\, where they produce mushrooms\, maple syrup\, duck eggs\, pastured lamb\, and elderberry extract\, all from forest-based systems. Steve co-authored Farming the Woods with Ken Mudge in 2014\, and is author of the new book Silvopasture\, released in 2018. He passionately pursues work to reconnect people to the forested landscape and see the value of trees and forests as an essential part of a regenerative future.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/silvopasture-intensive/
CATEGORIES:Course
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20220118T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20220322T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20211213T200925Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220222T163136Z
UID:10636-1642534200-1647982800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Online Farm Planning Course
DESCRIPTION:EFAO and Everdale have partnered once again to offer this intensive farm planning course for new and beginning farmers. \n  \nThinking about starting a farm business? Already running one but struggling with business planning? If you’re ready to start planning your farm business\, this course is for you! \n\n  \n  \n\nCourse Overview\nThis ten week\, comprehensive course will walk you through the steps to write a detailed farm plan for your farm business. Each week will consist of a pre-recorded webinar\, a “live” farmer-to-farmer session\, and optional group networking; as well as worksheets\, templates\, resource links and farm case studies. \n  \nLive sessions take place every Tuesday evening at 7:30pm on January 18th\, January 25th\, February 1st\, February 8th\, February 15th\, February 22nd\, March 1st\, March 8th\, March 15th and March 22nd. *All sessions will be recorded and shared with participants. \n\n  \n  \n\nIs this course right for me?\nThis Online Farm Planning Course is geared towards farmers who are serious about starting a farm business in the near future\, or who are already farming but have not yet completed a farm business plan. \n  \nPlease note that getting the most out of this course requires an investment of time and thought. Aside from the 1 – 1.5 hr weekly online sessions\, there will be additional time needed to review pre-recorded video content (30-45min per week)\, and to complete the worksheets that will help you write your farm plan. There will also be optional group networking opportunities to meet other new and beginning farmers\, share experiences and troubleshoot. \n\n  \n  \n\nCourse Outline\nWeek 1: Farm Visioning \nWeek 2: Production Planning \nWeek 3: Marketing – Sales & Distribution \nWeek 4: Marketing – Promotional Strategies \nWeek 5: Recordkeeping \nWeek 6: Farm Financials – Financial Strategies \nWeek 7: Farm Financials – Budgeting \nWeek 8: Meeting Small Business Requirements \nWeek 9: Risk Management \nWeek 10: Accessing Financing \n\n  \nTestimonials from past participants \n“The “walkthrough” build-up approach of the course bestows confidence through knowledge. Showing business planning ideas\, tried and successfully executed with the farm perspective is encouraging. The course is exactly what it is advertised as\, very well done!” \n  \n“Gives me the tools to think about farming not only as a lifestyle\, but as a business that requires business planning and smarts. You can’t just do what you like and hope the money works out – it takes planning!” \n  \n“The biggest [tangible takeaway] was seeing so many other farmers that started in a similar position and are happy with the choice they made and have a viable farm.  That’s a major confidence boost and inspiration and I think that added so much to the course.” \n  \n***Course pricing increases on January 11th*** \n  \nIf you are a farmer living in northern Ontario\, you are eligible for a 10% discount on the registration fee for this course. Please fill out this form to confirm your eligibility. \n  \nIn order to make this course accessible to all participants\, EFAO will strive to cover registration fees for anyone who needs financial assistance. EFAO strongly encourages anyone facing financial barriers to participation to request support by completing this form.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/online-farm-planning-course-22/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20211101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20211118
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20211004T202254Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230223T154857Z
UID:9394-1635724800-1637193599@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 4: Ignatius New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:Term 4 focuses on entrepreneurship training for starting a farm business. \n  \nRegister for the whole term or choose individual events (registration will open for individual events 4 weeks prior to the event).   \n  \nNEW! Sign up as an individual\, or register your farm team or household of up to 5 people! This option is only available for full term registrations. \n  \nAll events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available within 48 hours of the event. \n  \nTerm 4 includes:\nNovember 1st: Holistic Farm Design\, 2:30-3:30pm \n  \nNovember 2nd: Beyond Land Acknowledgements\, 2:30-4:00pm \n  \nNovember 3rd: Planning for Production\, 2:30-3:30 \n  \nNovember 4th: What are Co-ops and why do they Matter Now? 2:30-4:00pm \n  \nNovember 8th: Marketing and Distribution\, 2:30-3:30pm \n  \nNovember 9th: Finances and Budgets\, 2:30-4:00pm \n  \nNovember 10th: Meeting Small Business Requirements on the Farm\, 2:30-4:00pm \n  \nNovember 11th: Innovative Models of Land Access\, 2:30-3:30 \n  \nNovember 12th: Cultivating Best Practices: An Introduction to Human Resources for Small-scale Farm Operations\, 2:30-4:00pm \n  \nNovember 15th: Tools and Methods for Successful Recordkeeping\, 2:30-4:00pm \n  \nNovember 16th: Assembling your Business Plan\, 2:30-4:00pm \n  \nNovember 17th: Financing Your Farm\, 2:30-3:30pm \n  \nPrices will increase after October 25th. \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n  \nIn order to make training and community building events accessible to all farmers and future farmers in Ontario\, the Ignatius New Farmer Training Program strives to cover registration fees for anyone facing barriers. Need assistance covering the registration fee? Let us know! \n  \n \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-4-ignatius-new-farmer-training-program-21/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210811
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20211028
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20210715T192218Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230223T154906Z
UID:8621-1628640000-1635379199@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 3: Ignatius New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:Term 3 focuses on expanding beyond basics and building skills for a specialized farm. \n  \nRegister for the whole term or choose individual events (registration will open for individual events 4 weeks prior to the event).   \n  \nNEW! Sign up as an individual\, or register your farm team or household of up to 5 people! This option is only available for full term registrations. \n  \nAll events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available within 48 hours of the event. \n  \nTerm 3 includes:\n  \nAugust 11th: Virtual Field Day: Fair Fields Farm\, 2:30-3:30 \n  \nAugust 16th: Introduction to Beekeeping\, 2:30-3:30 \n  \nAugust 18th: Virtual Field Day: Cavaleiro Farm\, 2:30-3:30 \n  \nAugust 23rd: Farm Task Focus: Bagging Greens\, 2:30-4:00 \n  \nAugust 25th: Virtual Field Day – TBA \n  \nAugust 30th: Orchard Care Basics\, 2:30-4:00 \n  \nSeptember 1st: Growing Herbs and Teas\, 2:30-4:00 \n  \nSeptember 15th: Virtual Field Day: Earth Haven Biodynamic Farm \n  \nSeptember 20th: Preserving the Harvest \n  \nSeptember 22nd: Farm Task Focus: Compost Teas \n  \nSeptember 27th: Intro to Permaculture \n  \nSeptember 29th: Virtual Field Day: Conscious Kitchen \n  \nOctober 6th: Virtual Field Day: Sundance Harvest Farm \n  \nOctober 18th: Seed Saving \n  \nOctober 20th: Virtual Field Day TBA \n  \nOctober 25th: Vegetable Crop Planning \n  \nOctober 27th: Virtual Field Day TBA \n  \nPrices will increase after August 2nd. \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n  \nIn order to make training and community building events accessible to all farmers and future farmers in Ontario\, the Ignatius New Farmer Training Program strives to cover registration fees for anyone facing barriers. Need assistance covering the registration fee? Let us know! \n  \n \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-3-ignatius-new-farmer-training-program/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210503
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210729
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20210408T194558Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230223T154914Z
UID:7585-1620000000-1627516799@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 2: Ignatius New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:Term 2 focuses on applying farm language and knowledge. \n  \nRegister for the whole term or choose individual events (registration will open for individual events 4 weeks prior to the event).   \n  \nNEW! Sign up as an individual\, or register your farm team or household of up to 5 people! This option is only available for full term registrations. \n  \nAll events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available within 48 hours of the event. \n  \nTerm 2 includes:\n  \nMay 3rd: Full term participant Virtual Meet-Up\, 7-8pm \n  \nMay 5th: Virtual Field Day: Three Forks Farms\, 2:30-3:20pm  \n  \nMay 10th: Field and Bed Preparation\, 2:30-4pm \n  \nMay 12th: Introduction to Weed Management\, 2:30-4pm \n  \nMay 17th: Irrigation Principles\, 2:30-4pm \n  \nMay 19th: Harvest and Post-Harvest Principles\, 2:30-4pm \n  \nJune 2nd: Running a Full-Season CSA with Cedar Down Farm\, 2:30-3:30pm \n  \nJune 7th: Making Great Compost\, 2:30-4pm \n  \nJune 9th: Virtual Field Day TBA\, 2:30-3:30pm \n  \nJune 14th: Greenhouse Seeding\, 2:30-4pm \n  \nJune 16th: Virtual Field Day: Shade of Miti\, 2:30-3:30 \n  \nJune 21st: Cover Crops and Green Manures\, 2:30-4pm \n  \nJune 23rd: Rooftop Farming at Ryerson Urban Farm\, 2:30-3:30pm \n  \nJuly 12th: Keeping Sheep on an Organic Vegetable Farm\, 2:30-4pm \n  \nJuly 14th: Large-scale Organic Vegetables with Cookstown Greens\, 2:30-3:30pm \n  \nJuly 19th: Farmer Reset\, 2:30-4pm \n  \nJuly 21st: Raining Gold Farm\, 2:30-3:30pm \n  \nJuly 26th: Beyond Land Acknowledgements\, 2:30-4pm \n  \nJuly 28th: Nourishing a Reciprocal Relationship with the Land\, 2:30-4pm\, and Full term participant debrief virtual meet-up\, 7-8pm \n  \nPrices will increase after April 26th. \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n  \nIn order to make training and community building events accessible to all farmers and future farmers in Ontario\, the Ignatius New Farmer Training Program strives to cover registration fees for anyone facing barriers. Need assistance covering the registration fee? Let us know! \n  \n \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-2-new-farmer-training-21/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20210114T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20210325T213000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20201204T201340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210125T202452Z
UID:6020-1610652600-1616707800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Introduction to Holistic Management
DESCRIPTION:Is your farm business struggling to make a profit? Are your land\, water and ecosystems in need of rejuvenation? Do you struggle with the farm-work-life balance? Are you wondering about how you can pass on your farm and legacy? \n  \nHolistic Management helps farmers discover tools to make better\, more informed decisions to reach your family and farm goals. \n  \nThis online course takes place Thursday evenings\, weekly for 10 weeks\, from 7:30-9:30pm.  Participants will have access to digital Holistic Management manuals for goal setting\, decision testing\, financial planning\, biological monitoring and planned grazing. \n  \nThe first 3 sessions will explore goal setting and decision testing\, the next three will go through the financial planning process and the final sessions will cover monitoring\, grazing planning and review goal setting and decision testing after participants have had a chance to use their holistic goal and test decisions during the previous weeks.  During the course participants will have been able to develop an initial holistic goal\, a draft financial plan and\, depending on the operation\, a grazing plan or crop or garden plan. \n  \nThis 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. \n  \nRecordings of the sessions will be sent to all registrants after they take place. \n  \nNote: There is a minimum and maximum number of participants we can accommodate\, and running the course will depend on registration numbers. Prices listed are per farm team. \n  \nAbout the Facilitator: Tony McQuail bought his farm near Lucknow\, Ontario in 1973. He and his wife\, Fran\, have run a diversified organic farm raising livestock\, a small apple orchard and operated a community supported garden. McQuail was an early adopter of rotational grazing and has decades of experience in pasture management and fencing systems. At Meeting Place Organic Farm they raise grass fed and finished beef\, pastured pork and pastured poultry and have done some experimenting with cocktail cover crops. They do much of their farming with work horses and provide training in this skill to apprentices. They took a played out crop farm from approximately 1.5 soil organic matter to 3.5 to 7% organic matter moving CO2 from the atmosphere into the soil. The McQuails have transferred the farm operation to their daughter Katrina and continue to be actively involved in it. \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/intro-holistic-management/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20210112T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20210316T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20201209T185045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210112T213522Z
UID:6037-1610479800-1615928400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Online Farm Planning Course
DESCRIPTION:***This event is now full and registration has closed.***\n  \nEFAO and Everdale have partnered to offer this intensive farm planning webinar series. \n  \nThinking about starting a farm business? Already running one but struggling with business planning? If you’re ready to start planning your farm business\, this webinar series is for you. \n  \nOver the course of ten weeks\, participants will write a detailed farm plan\, as well as gain valuable insight from experienced farmers and receive optional one-on-one mentorship – all using an online/virtual format. \n  \nIf you are a farmer living in northern Ontario\, you are eligible for a 10% discount on the registration fee for this course. Please fill out this form to confirm your eligibility. \n  \nIn order to make this course accessible to all participants\, EFAO will strive to cover registration fees for anyone who needs financial assistance. EFAO strongly encourages anyone facing financial barriers to participation to request support by completing this form. \n  \n***Prices increase by $25 on January 5th*** \n  \nIn addition to the Webinar Sessions outlined below\, program participants will receive: \n\nAccess to all templates\, documents\, links and resources needed to complete their farm plan.\nReal-world case studies and sample plans provided by EFAO member farmers.\nAccess to (optional) one-on-one mentorship with an experienced farmer\, at a discounted rate\, to review their farm plan and/or answer questions about their farm. \nDiscounted rates on additional new farmer programming taking place between January – April 2021. \n\n  \nOnline sessions take place every Tuesday evening from 7:30pm – 9:00pm on January 12th\, January 19th\, January 26th\, February 2nd\, February 9th\, February 16th\, February 23rd\, March 2nd\, March 9th and March 16th.  \n*Writing a farm plan will require some extra time outside of webinar sessions. We recommend that participants complete the different sections of their farm plan between each webinar session.\n \n*All webinars will be recorded\, and recordings will be made available to participants. \n  \nProgram Facilitator: \nDavid Alexander has worked at Everdale since 2010 as the Farm Programs Coordinator. As the coordinator of the Sustainable Farming Certificate and Farm Planner programs\, he has seen over 150 new farmers graduate with the skills and knowledge that they will need to be successful in their own ventures. David has also travelled to other parts of Canada to deliver specialized farmer training courses for other organizations. In coordinating Everdale’s Harvest Share program David has been instrumental in providing fresh\, local\, organic produce to over 100 families\, year-round. \n   \nProgram Outline: \n  \nWeek 1: Farm Visioning \nThis workshop will cover the bigger picture questions surrounding the development of a whole farm plan. Why do you want to farm? Where are you now and where are you headed? How will an agricultural business fit with the rest of your life and in your community? What will be your enterprise of focus and how do you determine the scale of your business? Learn how to craft a mission/vision for your farm plan that takes into consideration your lifestyle\, family and social goals\, as well as your financial goals and needs. \n  \nWeek 2: Planning for Production \nWhat products do you plan to sell on your farm? How will you produce what you sell? Learn what’s needed to write a production plan for your farm\, and which tools can support this process and are appropriate to your scale and farm model.   \n  \nWeek 3: Farmer Panel – Choosing the Right Enterprise and Scale \nHear from a panel of farmers about why they chose their particular enterprise and scale of production and what their production planning process looks like.  \n  \nWeek 4: Marketing and Distribution \nThis session will look at the factors that can lead to a successful marketing strategy for your business. How do you conduct market research? How do you evaluate market opportunities and possibilities? How do you price your product and effectively promote it? All these questions will be addressed as well as appropriate distribution channels and methods for your products.  \n  \nWeek 5: Farmer Panel – Marketing and Distribution Strategies \nHear from a panel of farmers who use different strategies to market and sell their products. Find out why they chose their particular marketing strategies\, and what they’ve learned along the way.  \n  \nWeek 6: Record Keeping \nFarm businesses have an incredible amount of information to track. This session will explore the information you should be keeping track of\, and the tools and methods available to help keep everything organized.  \n  \nWeek 7: Farm Financials \nThis workshop will focus on the key financial information that every small business owner should know\, starting with terminology and progressing into different ways of organizing your business’s financial records. \n  \nWeek 8: Farm Focus – Financials \nTake an in-depth look into how one farm organizes and tracks all their financial information. Get great tips\, advice and ideas to help you plan the finances for your own farm.   \n  \nWeek 9: Meeting Requirements \nWhat steps do you need to take to meet the legal requirements of starting up a farm business In Ontario? Should your farm be a sole proprietorship or should you incorporate\, and what are the advantages behind each? What regulations do you need to comply with? This session will help you understand what you should be doing to start your farm business out on the right foot.    \n  \nWeek 10: Risk Management \nFarming comes with risks – from weather\, market fluctuations\, and even personal injury. Coming up with a plan to prevent risks and deal with those that might come up will help keep your farm business stable in the face of adversity.  \n  \n \n  \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/farm-start-up-program/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210111
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210201
DTSTAMP:20260531T061420
CREATED:20201217T162948Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210111T181936Z
UID:6117-1610323200-1612137599@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Highlights from the Ignatius New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:Did you miss the 2020 Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program?  Are you curious about these webinars and virtual field days? \n  \nYou can now sign up for a bundle of 12 recorded webinars spanning the entire program\, and 8 of the pre-recorded virtual field day tours. \n  \nAll of the 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. \n  \nRecordings will be sent to registered participants starting on January 11\, 2021. \n  \nFor those interested in the full 2021 program\, stay tuned for more information to come over the winter. \n  \nWebinars include: \n  \nTerm 1 \nIntroduction to Botany \nSoil Health \nFarm Tour: Microgreens and Seedlings at Fresh City Farm \n  \nTerm 2 \nCover Crops and Green Manure on a Vegetable Farm \nIdentifying and Controlling Pests and Diseases \nEarly Season Harvesting and Post Harvest Handling \n  \nTerm 3 \nIntroduction to Apiculture \nField Design and Vegetable Crop Planning \nSeed Production and Saving with Fertile Ground Farm \n  \nTerm 4 \nHolistic Farm Design \nFarm Finances and Budgets \nProduction Systems and Efficiency at Salad Days Farm \n  \nPre-recorded virtual field days include: \n  \nCommon Ground Farm                Sleepy G Farm \nField Good Farm                            Fiddle Foot Farm \nZocalo Farm                                    Thiessen tillage \nMulberry Moon Farm                    Fiddlehead Nursery
URL:https://efao.ca/event/nft-highlights/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
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