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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250417T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250417T160000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250311T200909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250311T200909Z
UID:21463-1744900200-1744905600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Land-Sharing for Resilient Communities Part 2
DESCRIPTION:All Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this webinar free of charge! Please use the coupon code LANDSHARE2 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nJoin us for this two-part webinar series with Jennifer Nobel\, an experienced permaculture practitioner\, ecological homestead designer\, and land steward. Whether you are just starting to explore land-sharing or are seriously considering it as a pathway to land access\, these sessions will provide valuable insights and practical guidance. Attend one or both—each session offers unique knowledge\, but together they create a foundation for successful land-sharing arrangements. \nPart 2: Legal Considerations\, Design & Infrastructure\, Finance\, Security \nAs farmland prices soar and barriers to entry into agriculture increase\, many aspiring farmers and land-based entrepreneurs are turning to land-sharing as a creative and viable solution. But while shared land arrangements can offer exciting opportunities\, they also require careful planning to ensure long-term success. \nIn Part 2 of this two-part webinar series\, Jennifer Nobel—author of the upcoming book Land-Sharing: A Beginner’s Guide—will dive into the practical and legal realities of land-sharing. Drawing from her own experience navigating bylaws\, agreements\, and alternative living solutions\, Jennifer will provide attendees with essential knowledge to move forward confidently in structuring and sustaining land-sharing projects. \nWhat You’ll Learn: \nLegal Considerations – Key legal aspects of land-sharing\, including bylaws\, zoning\, lease agreements\, and cooperative structures. \nDesign & Infrastructure – Planning functional shared spaces\, from housing to common-use facilities.= \nFinance & Funding – Strategies for funding\, structuring member contributions\, and exploring alternative income streams. \nSecurity – Ensuring fair agreements\, legal protections\, and a safe living environment for all participants. \nWhether you’re in the early stages of land-sharing exploration or ready to take action\, this session will equip you with the beginner knowledge needed to successfully navigate the complexities of starting and maintaining a land-sharing venture. \n \nJennifer Nobel is an experienced Metis permaculture practitioner\, ecological homestead designer\, and passionate land steward with over a decade of experience in studying\, practicing\, and teaching ecological living practices. Holding a degree in architecture\, Jennifer initially pursued retail design\, however\, quickly realized fulfillment came from living on the land and designing land-based projects. In 2020\, her family’s aspirations of owning an acreage were thwarted by the rising cost of land. Determined to make her vision a reality\, Jennifer spent the last five years navigating complex bylaws\, building codes\, and alternative living solutions through land-sharing agreements. These experiences not only provided a low-cost way to live but also allowed her family to save up to purchase their own property. Having purchased some land\, Jennifer is excited to offer others the same opportunities\, sharing her wisdom on communal living\, building vibrant communities\, and generating extra income through land sharing. \nThis webinar is part of EFAO’s Indigenous Outreach and Engagement Initiative\, which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Agribusiness.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/land-sharing-for-resilient-communities-part-2-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250415T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250415T140000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250407T140407Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250415T154457Z
UID:21599-1744722000-1744725600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Greenhouse Lightning Talks: Northern Perspectives
DESCRIPTION:All Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this webinar free of charge! Please use the coupon code GREENHOUSE2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nGreenhouses and high tunnels are critical tools for building food security and sovereignty in Northern communities. This webinar highlights the voices of Indigenous and Northern growers who are leading innovative greenhouse projects in challenging climates. \nOrganized in response to ongoing conversations from our Indigenous Growers Gathering and input from the Indigenous Engagement & Outreach Steering Committee\, this session offers a platform to share practical knowledge\, strengthen connections\, and spotlight successful strategies for season extension in the North. \nWhat to expect: \nGreenhouse Lightning Talks: Northern Perspectives features three inspiring short presentations from growers across Northern Ontario\, followed by a Q&A session. Each speaker will share their approach\, challenges\, successes\, and how their work supports food sovereignty in their community. \nYou’ll hear about: \n\nPractical greenhouse designs and technologies for northern climates\nReal-life adaptations to cold-weather growing challenges\nHow greenhouses support community food programs and sovereignty\nLessons and advice for growers and communities looking to start similar projects\n\n  \nSchedule: \n\n1:00 PM – Welcome & Introduction (Rachel\, EFAO)\n1:05 – 1:20 PM – Mnogin Greenhouse (Nipissing First Nation)\n1:20 – 1:35 PM – Niigaaniin Greenhouse Project (North Shore Tribal Council)\n1:35 – 1:50 PM – Three Forks Farm (Manitoulin Island\, with Eric Blondin)\n1:50 – 2:00 PM – Open Q&A\n\n\nSpeakers: \nNiigaaniin Greenhouse Project \nLed by the North Shore Tribal Council and involving eight First Nation communities\, this project is revitalizing a former MNR nursery site with 16 greenhouses and 80 acres of farmland. With four greenhouses already retrofitted\, the project aims to distribute fresh food locally and boost community resilience. In partnership with the University of Guelph\, the project blends traditional knowledge with research-driven innovation. \nMnogin Greenhouse – Nipissing First Nation \nUsing advanced hydroponic technology\, Mnogin Greenhouse grows leafy greens and herbs year-round with minimal land and water. The project enhances food security\, supplies community programs\, and supports local economic development — all while promoting Anishinaabe values of sustainability and care. \nThree Forks Farm – Manitoulin Island \nOwned by Peggy Baillie and Eric Blondin\, this certified organic farm uses a 30’x120’ high tunnel to extend their growing season nearly year-round. With a strong focus on ecological practices\, local food access\, and seed sovereignty\, Three Forks Farm plays a key role in regional food resilience. \n  \nThis webinar is part of EFAO’s Indigenous Outreach and Engagement Initiative\, which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Agribusiness.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/greenhouse-lightning-talks-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250414T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250414T200000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250319T135704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250319T161257Z
UID:21531-1744655400-1744660800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Build Your Own Air Pruning Beds
DESCRIPTION:In this webinar\, participants will learn how to build their own simple and inexpensive air pruning beds with basic carpentry skills and equipment. These beds make it possible to grow hundreds of tree seedlings in small spaces with very low costs. Participants will learn the basics of collecting and storing tree seed\, and step-by-step instructions for starting many tree species from seed or cuttings. The webinar will focus in particular on tree species that are valuable as livestock fodder or for fruit and nut production. \nThe knowledge gained in this workshop will allow participants to build their air pruning beds in the spring\, summer\, or early fall\, in time for starting trees this fall. \nWant to know more? Why air pruning?  \nAir pruning is a technique for developing healthy\, fibrous\, non-circling and non-girdling root structures in trees and plants raised in a nursery setting. Air pruning beds use air to prune and shape root systems. Trees and plants can be grown from seed\, cuttings or root divisions while still preserving a healthy tap root and creating a highly-branched root structure characteristic of a tree or plant grown from seed in-place. \n  \nAir pruned root systems have a much higher survival and rate of thriving in comparison with pot-grown root systems. Air pruning beds also offer protection from pests\, and support seedlings to grow faster and maintain healthy tap roots\, which is important for survival in harsh environments and challenging to do in pot-grown trees. Trees grown in air pruning beds have a reduced need for staking\, and have grown in healthier soil through improved drainage. \n  \n  \nMeet the Speaker: \nKevin Barkhouse is a nature lover and a certified seed collector with the Forest Gene Conservation Association. For the past five years\, he has been growing trees and shrubs from seed in his backyard nursery\, focusing on native species. Through careful collection and propagation\, he contributes to biodiversity and reforestation efforts by donating his trees to various planting projects. His hands-on experience and deep appreciation for the natural world make him a dedicated advocate for growing trees from seed.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/build-your-own-air-pruning-beds-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/1000006720-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250410T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250410T160000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250311T195945Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250311T201048Z
UID:21455-1744295400-1744300800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Land-Sharing for Resilient Communities Part 1
DESCRIPTION:All Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this webinar free of charge! Please use the coupon code LANDSHARE1 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nJoin us for this two-part webinar series with Jennifer Nobel\, an experienced permaculture practitioner\, ecological homestead designer\, and land steward. Whether you are just starting to explore land-sharing or are seriously considering it as a pathway to land access\, these sessions will provide valuable insights and practical guidance. Attend one or both—each session offers unique knowledge\, but together they create a foundation for successful land-sharing arrangements. \nPart 1: Community Building\, Conflict Resolution\, Governance & Structures\, Traditions \nWith rising land prices and increasing barriers to entry in farming\, many aspiring farmers and land-based entrepreneurs are looking for creative ways to access land. This entry-level webinar is designed for those curious about land-sharing and cooperative land access models. Whether you’re dreaming of a collective farm\, an intentional community\, or a shared land project\, this session will provide the foundational knowledge needed to start strong. \nJennifer Nobel\, author of the upcoming book Land-Sharing: A Beginner’s Guide\, has spent the last five years navigating bylaws\, building codes\, and alternative living solutions to make land-sharing work. Drawing from her firsthand experience\, she will explore: \nCommunity Building – Fostering strong\, collaborative relationships among land-sharers \nConflict Resolution – Practical tools for navigating challenges and maintaining harmony \nGovernance & Structures – Decision-making systems that support long-term success \nTraditions & Culture – The role of shared values in strengthening land-sharing arrangements \nWant to go deeper? This session lays the groundwork for Part 2\, where we’ll take a practical look at the legal\, financial\, and security aspects of land-sharing. Learn more and register for Part 2 here. \n \nJennifer Nobel is an experienced Metis permaculture practitioner\, ecological homestead designer\, and passionate land steward with over a decade of experience in studying\, practicing\, and teaching ecological living practices. Holding a degree in architecture\, Jennifer initially pursued retail design\, however\, quickly realized fulfillment came from living on the land and designing land-based projects. In 2020\, her family’s aspirations of owning an acreage were thwarted by the rising cost of land. Determined to make her vision a reality\, Jennifer spent the last five years navigating complex bylaws\, building codes\, and alternative living solutions through land-sharing agreements. These experiences not only provided a low-cost way to live but also allowed her family to save up to purchase their own property. Having purchased some land\, Jennifer is excited to offer others the same opportunities\, sharing her wisdom on communal living\, building vibrant communities\, and generating extra income through land sharing. \nThis webinar is part of EFAO’s Indigenous Outreach and Engagement Initiative\, which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Agribusiness.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/land-sharing-for-resilient-communities-part-1-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Part1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250408T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250408T143000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250311T203453Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T181249Z
UID:21471-1744117200-1744122600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Cover Crop Foundations\, Tips & Tricks
DESCRIPTION:Join us as we dig into cover crops this spring. In this essential skills webinar\, participants will learn how to select cover crop varieties and mixes based on your soil health goals\, how and when to plant and terminate cover crops\, how to incorporate cover cropping into your crop rotations\, and more.  Bring questions from your farm. This webinar is intended for vegetable farmers\, but will be applicable to other farm types. \nJake Munroe is the Soil Management Specialist for Field Crops with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA). Jake has expertise in soil fertility\, soil health\, and cover crop management. Through on-farm trials\, demonstrations\, and presentations\, he shares information with Ontario farmers on best management practices to improve soil management and crop production. His current projects include evaluating late-season cover crop establishment following corn and soybeans and managing cover crops on clay soils. Jake is a Certified Crop Advisor. \n  \nStephanie Vickers is the Sustainability Specialist for Horticulture Crops with the OMAFA based in Vineland\, Ontario. She works with growers\, industry\, and researchers to assess new practices and technologies that improve sustainable production in Ontario’s horticulture sectors. Her current projects include assessing the use of under-vine cover crops in commercial vineyards and cover crop/intercropping options for organic garlic production. \n  \nThis event is presented in partnership with Farmers for Climate Solutions and with funding support from the On-Farm Climate Action Fund. Find additional resources on the FaRM Learning Hub.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/cover-crop-foundations-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250325T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250325T143000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250221T145949Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T155324Z
UID:21335-1742907600-1742913000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Understanding Your Soil Test: Part 2
DESCRIPTION:Taking soil tests both for nutrients and biology are important management techniques so that ecological farmers can increase yields\, improve crop quality\, reduce weed problems and improve soil health. In Part 2 of this free Member Month webinar\, Ken Laing will discuss what amendments and cover crops you might use to correct deficiencies you find from your soil testing. Learn more and register for Part 1 here. \nBoth webinars will be relevant to growers of all sizes. \nThis event is presented in partnership with Farmers for Climate Solutions and with funding support from the On-Farm Climate Action Fund. Find additional resources on the FaRM Learning Hub. \nKen Laing of Orchard Hill Farm has farmed with his wife Martha near St.Thomas since 1979 when he graduated from the University of Guelph with a B.Sc. in Agriculture. From 1979 until 1996 they produced pick-your-own fruit\, and they transitioned to organic in 1989. From 1997 until 2017 they operated a CSA for up to 250 members. Pasture has been a part of their farm rotation for 44 years in terms of draft horses and more recently since 2015 also with cattle and custom grazing.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/understanding-your-soil-test-part-2-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Member-Month-graphics-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250325T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250325T120000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250221T162955Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T155114Z
UID:21348-1742900400-1742904000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Stats 101: The Importance of Replication
DESCRIPTION:A basic understanding of some statistical terms and principles can go a long way toward making your farmer-led research experience (or just reading the research reports) more valuable! \nIf terms like “replication”\, ”statistical significance” and “P-value” are confusing or meaningless to you\, join EFAO’s research team to learn the basics of statistics relevant to on-farm\, farmer-led research. \nDuring this free Member Month webinar\, we will walk through why replication matters in research\, and how it allows us to estimate confidence around your results. We will also discuss how you can use simple statistical tests such as t-tests and analysis of variance with free online calculators.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/stats-101-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Member-Month-graphics-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250320T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250320T133000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250305T161448Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250305T161448Z
UID:21423-1742472000-1742477400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Mushroom Cultivation for Diversified Farms
DESCRIPTION:Join this webinar to be introduced to a wide variety of different gourmet edible mushroom species and a range of cultivation techniques that can be easily integrated into your existing operational framework and landscape. A brief introduction to fungal anatomy\, behaviour and ecological niches will also be covered to set the stage for a thorough understanding of the needs and requirements of fungi to perform at their best. \nA few examples of these techniques and methods include the following: \n– Inoculated blocks of mushrooms including oyster (Pleurotus spp.) and lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) can be grown inside of greenhouses and hoop tunnels in direct association with vegetable crops\, allowing you to grow numerous crops in the same amount of space. \n– Alternatively\, shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and many other species including chestnut (Pholiota adiposa) can be cultivated on hardwood logs and allowed to mature and produce anywhere that adequate shade exists on site. Logs can take 8-12 months to mature before they start producing\, but can yield mushrooms for 5+ years. \n– Mushrooms can also be grown in buckets\, tubs\, beds of sawdust and wood chips\, straw mulch and many other cellulose and lignin rich materials that have the potential to be generated onsite. These can be stored and grown out in locations on site that are otherwise not used or unproductive. \nIn general\, mushrooms are a high value crop that are popular among chefs\, cooking enthusiasts as well as vegetarian and vegan communities. The waste substrate material\, rich in enzymes and metabolites as well as the mycelium of the fungi themselves\, make a top tier soil amendment and can even be sold and marketed as ‘mushroom compost’ for an additional revenue stream. \nTom Nagy is a restoration ecologist with a passion for botany\, sustainable agriculture\, and mycology. Tom has experience working as a field botanist\, environmental consultant and as a field and operations manager for a certified organic farm. In 2018\, Tom began River City Mushrooms; a small-scale mycological interest project based in Winnipeg that focuses on cultivating an appreciation for edible and medicinal fungi as well as supplying the knowledge and tools necessary for a new generation of mushroom growing enthusiasts to flourish. Tom continues to advocate for a greater understanding of how we perceive\, understand and develop relationships with the natural world by writing informative articles and conducting engaging public programs discussing native plant communities\, organic agriculture\, mushroom cultivation and wild foraging.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/mushroom-cultivation-for-diversified-farms-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250319T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250319T191500
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250220T204708Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T155412Z
UID:21323-1742407200-1742411700@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Small Grains Winter Webinar Series: Monitoring Progress Toward Ecological Grain Growing
DESCRIPTION:If you’re a farmer working toward the goal of ecological or regenerative grain growing\, this session is for you. \nWhen farms are working to connect their agricultural work to natural systems and ecology\, traditional or conventional tools for assessing farming may not be helpful in informing future decisions. \nRuth will guide farmers to understand what parameters will be most helpful to understanding individual farm contexts\, introduce options for monitoring key indicators to measure progress\, and discuss what tools are available that are most applicable to regenerative/ecological farms. \nSpeaker: \nRuth Knight is a Professional Agrologist and Certified Crop Advisor with more than 20 years in independent consulting services for a variety of farming systems. Her experiences also include serving on the boards of the Maitland Conservation Foundation\, Organic Council of Ontario and Agricultural Adaptation Council. \nEFAO’s Small Grains Network is funded and supported by the Weston Family Foundation’s Soil Health Initiative.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/small-grains-winter-webinar-series-monitoring-progress-toward-ecological-grain-growing/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250318T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250318T143000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250221T145511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T155024Z
UID:21330-1742302800-1742308200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Understanding Your Soil Test: Part 1
DESCRIPTION:Taking soil tests both for nutrients and biology are important management techniques so that ecological farmers can increase yields\, improve crop quality\, reduce weed problems and improve soil health. Join Ken Laing for this free Member Month webinar to learn how to take a soil sample\, where to send it and help you understand the results when you get them back. You will leave with an understanding of what your nutrient and biological goals should be. \nJoin the second webinar where Ken will discuss what amendments and/or cover crops you might use to correct deficiencies you find. Learn more and register for Part 2 here. \nBoth webinars will be relevant to growers of all sizes. \nThis event is presented in partnership with Farmers for Climate Solutions and with funding support from the On-Farm Climate Action Fund. Find additional resources on the FaRM Learning Hub. \nKen Laing of Orchard Hill Farm has farmed with his wife Martha near St.Thomas since 1979 when he graduated from the University of Guelph with a B.Sc. in Agriculture. From 1979 until 1996 they produced pick-your-own fruit\, and they transitioned to organic in 1989. From 1997 until 2017 they operated a CSA for up to 250 members. Pasture has been a part of their farm rotation for 44 years in terms of draft horses and more recently since 2015 also with cattle and custom grazing.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/understanding-your-soil-test-part-1-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Member-Month-graphics.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250312T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250312T191500
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250226T165033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T171507Z
UID:21368-1741802400-1741806900@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Small Grains Winter Webinar Series: Grain CSAs with Adagio Acres
DESCRIPTION:Many farmers are looking for ways to shorten supply chains\, produce food for their local communities and capture a fair price for the investment they put into raising crops ecologically. With field crops\, this can be especially challenging when standard models of marketing like CSA don’t apply. Or do they? \nCome out to learn how farmers in Manitoba are working together to grow staple crops for their community through a grain CSA! \nAmy Nikkel’s small organic farm\, Adagio Acres\, grows and mills hulless oats in the Interlake region of Manitoba. After selling oats primarily through retail and foodservice channels in Manitoba for about 6 years\, they began to see gaps in the industrial food distribution system and began to devise a way to fill those gaps. Growing up without a farming background\, the huge scale of prairie farming caught them off guard as they stepped into the world of food production. \nAdagio Acres now runs an annual Grain CSA where the primary goal is to create a supportive consumer base for a network of small-scale grain farms and mills across the province\, reduce food waste and food miles\, and create a vibrant local grain community.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/small-grains-winter-webinar-series-grain-csas-with-adagio-agriculture/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250306T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250306T143000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250218T193007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250305T212010Z
UID:21310-1741266000-1741271400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Crop Planning for Northern Ontario
DESCRIPTION:Are you a farmer\, gardener\, or community grower looking to make the most of Northern Ontario’s short and unpredictable growing season? Join us for an informative and practical webinar on crop planning in Northern Ontario\, designed to help you navigate the unique challenges of farming in northern climates. \nThis session will cover key strategies for optimizing production\, including: \n•    Selecting crops suited to northern conditions \n•    Succession planning to extend your harvest window \n•    Season extension techniques to mitigate early frosts and cold temperatures \n•    Software and tools to streamline your planning and record-keeping \nThis webinar is ideal for new and aspiring farmers\, community garden managers\, and anyone growing food in Northern Ontario. Whether you’re growing for market\, community food security\, or personal use\, you’ll come away with valuable insights to help you plan and succeed. \nDon’t miss this opportunity to gain practical knowledge and connect with other growers navigating similar challenges. \nAbout the speaker: \nEric Blondin and Peggy Baillie are the co-owners of Three Forks Farms\, a certified organic farm on Manitoulin Island\, Ontario. Since 2015\, they have focused on growing organic vegetables\, raising pasture-fed poultry\, and developing regionally adapted seeds suited to Northern Ontario’s climate. Their farm operates with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability\, community food security\, and financial viability. \nWith over a decade of experience in local food systems\, Eric and Peggy have built a farm that extends the growing season using polytunnels and innovative crop planning. They sell their produce through on-farm sales\, farmers’ markets\, a CSA program\, and wholesale partnerships with retailers and restaurants. Passionate about seed saving and regenerative agriculture\, they continue to support local growers by providing high-quality seeds and knowledge to strengthen food resilience in the North. \nThis webinar is part of EFAO’s Indigenous Outreach and Engagement Initiative\, which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Agribusiness.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/crop-planning-for-northern-ontario/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250305T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250305T210000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250120T165755Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250120T201003Z
UID:21152-1741201200-1741208400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:NFU-O Presents: Farm Grants\, Loans\, and Financial Tools
DESCRIPTION:EFAO is pleased to be a supporting partner for this webinar series hosted by the National Farmers Union – Ontario! \n\n\nThis webinar is part of the NFU-O’s Cultivating Best Human Resource Practices on Small and Mid-scale Farms webinar series. Join for one session\, or for all! \nIs there a government or non-profit grant\, loan\, or financial tool to help support your business\, protect your property’s natural heritage\, or help you meet your HR needs? Learn about a variety of financial supports and receive grant writing tips from experts! \nSpeakers: TBA \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/nfu-o-presents-farm-grants-loans-and-financial-tools/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Interpersonal-Dynamics-Training-Retention-Resources-Fundamentals.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250305T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250305T191500
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250212T182822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T170103Z
UID:21297-1741197600-1741202100@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Small Grains Winter Webinar Series: Excellence in Wheat Growing
DESCRIPTION:Is excellence all about peak yield? Or can we strive for higher yields while dialling in management to protect the environment? \nThe Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) is one of a global series of YENs that help local farmers better understand their yield potential and learn what is limiting that potential. The goal of the YEN is to connect agricultural organizations\, extension specialists\, academics\, agronomists\, and farmers who are striving to improve crop returns by unlocking the potential of the field by closing the gap between potential yield and actual yield. \nGord Speksnijder farms in Northumberland\, and uses his experience in research and long farming history to work towards optimizing his production. As a provincial director for Quinte in the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association\, he knows the value of healthy soil to support crops. He’ll share his experience in the YEN program\, and how working towards higher wheat yields is balanced with the need to preserve strong ecosystem services. \nIn 2023\, alongside Parrish & Heimbecker\, Limited\, the Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA)\, and the Sustainable Food Lab\, Griffith Foods launched an innovative pilot program to promote regenerative agriculture in wheat farming. This initiative aims to enhance land stewardship and encourage best management practices among farmers\, boosting their resilience and productivity. \nAnne Jacobs from Griffith Foods will join us to discuss the company’s interest in regenerative agriculture\, what’s been learned through the pilot\, and what’s in the works for the future. \nEFAO’s Small Grains Network is funded and supported by the Weston Family Foundation’s Soil Health Initiative.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/small-grains-winter-webinar-series-excellence-in-wheat-growing/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/green-wheat-Photo-by-Arkadiusz-Zet-on-Unsplash-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250226T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250226T191500
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250205T195102Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T155711Z
UID:21262-1740592800-1740597300@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Small Grains Winter Webinar Series: Grain Farmer Meet & Greet
DESCRIPTION:Come out to meet like-minded farmers with similar goals as yourself. This session is all about sharing the successes\, challenges\, innovations and strategies that go into growing grain on YOUR farms. \nA few farmers from the Small Grains Network across Ontario will start us off with presentations\, followed by an open floor for folks to introduce themselves\, their operations\, share stories and ask questions. Prepare to hear about diverse rotations\, organic grain management\, using grains to bolster forages for livestock\, unique species & more! \nExpand your community\, make new connections\, and get inspired ahead of the growing season at this event. \nSpeakers: \nAndrew St. Jean farms south of New Hamburg\, with land on the border of both Oxford and Waterloo County. His home farm has been certified organic since 1999\, and Andrew has been farming organically on his own since 2014. On his farm he grows corn\, winter wheat\, hard red spring wheat\, barley\, soybeans and hay. Andrew continues to strive to find new ways to farm more efficiently looking to maximize his profit per acre instead of trying to farm more acres. \nFerme Houle Farm is a multi-generational\, family-owned and operated farm. Located in Curran\, Ontario\, we have now been proudly operating for nearly a century. From its humble beginnings as a mixed dairy and potato farm\, the last few decades have seen the farm shift its focus to cash crop operations and growing common grains such as corn\, soy\, buckwheat\, wheat\, and rye. ​​​​​​​Andre Houle started using regenerative agricultural practices in 2018 and obtained organic certification for the first time in 2021. The farm produces a multitude of products for both human and livestock consumption. \nEFAO’s Small Grains Network is funded and supported by the Weston Family Foundation’s Soil Health Initiative.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/small-grains-winter-webinar-series-grain-farmer-meet-greet/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/SGWWS3.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250225T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250225T190000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250205T200400Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250205T200511Z
UID:21267-1740506400-1740510000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Plants are our Ancestors
DESCRIPTION:All Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this webinar free of charge! Please use the coupon code PLANTS2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nStarting with the condensed teaching of the four stages of creation\, with humankind being the fourth and final stage\, we learn about our fragility and interdependence with all those who have come before us. The Anishinabe have cultivated a reciprocal relationship with our plant ancestors\, understanding that life-healing medicine is constantly being offered and communicated through the plants. During Winter\, the earth’s resting time\, the Anishinabe share these teachings\, enriching our connection to the land and preparing us for the planting season ahead. \nThis webinar is part of EFAO’s Indigenous Outreach and Engagement Initiative\, which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Agribusiness. \n  \nChef Johl Whiteduck is the owner of NishDish Marketeria and Catering\, an award-winning small business that’s been reclaiming and serving traditional Anishinaabe food since 2005. Chef Johl’s journey of Indigenous Food Sovereignty has led him to founding Ojibiikaan Indigenous Cultural Network\, along with the first Indigenous Harvesters & Artisans market. He has spearheaded Indigenous gardens and a small business dedicated to Indigenous gardens called Miinikaan Innovation and Design\, and numerous community partnerships. His creation in 2017 of an Indigenous Culinary Arts curriculum\, a ceremonial in-depth land and food-based program\, led to some of the first traditionally planted Three Sisters gardens in the GTA. The gifts to Chef Johl of centuries-old ancestral seeds started the ongoing development of an extensive Indigenous seed bank. The expansion of NishDish’s Indigenous food gardens around the city laid the groundwork for the birth of a brand-new organization that Chef Johl founded in 2018\, called Ojibiikaan Indigenous Cultural Network. He is the founding Board President of the first and only not-for-profit dedicated to Indigenous Food Sovereignty in the GTA.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/plants-are-our-ancestors/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/plants-are-our-ancestors-an-anishinabe-creation-story-stylized-plants-of-the-boreal-forest-words_-Plants-are-our-Anishinabe-Ancestors.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250219T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250219T210000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250120T164423Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250120T201526Z
UID:21146-1739991600-1739998800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:NFU-O Presents: Planning\, Task Management\, & Delegation
DESCRIPTION:EFAO is pleased to be a supporting partner for this webinar series hosted by the National Farmers Union – Ontario! \n\n\nThis webinar is part of the NFU-O’s Cultivating Best Human Resource Practices on Small and Mid-scale Farms webinar series. Join for one session\, or for all! \nBeing a good manager means staying organized! Learn successful time-tracking\, strategic management and planning tips. Explore a variety of staff management approaches and how to motivate and evaluate staff. Learn how you can support employee routes to equity\, co-ops\, and/or other partnership. \nSpeakers: Carl Leslie\, Earth to Table: The Farm\, Susan Henry-Bassaragh\, Black Creek Community Farm and Ian Stutt\, Patchwork Gardens. \n    
URL:https://efao.ca/event/nfu-o-presents-planning-task-management-delegation/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Hiring-Incentive-14.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250219T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250219T191500
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250204T001632Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250204T001632Z
UID:21239-1739988000-1739992500@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Small Grains Winter Webinar Series: Local Grain Processing
DESCRIPTION:Calling all grain growers\, millers\, distillers\, bakers and everyone interested in the connection between small grains and local food. \nWe keep hearing enthusiasm about eating local grains\, however there is a ‘missing middle’ in terms of resources for the farmers who grow grain to source options for cleaning\, processing and marketing. \nOur goal is to get interested stakeholders in the same Zoom-room to talk about what capacity already exists\, where the missing pieces are\, and how we can all support each other to grow this community. \nBring your experiences and be ready to share and brainstorm together – you won’t want to miss this conversation. \n  \nEFAO’s Small Grains Network is funded and supported by the Weston Family Foundation’s Soil Health Initiative.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/small-grains-winter-webinar-series-local-grain-processing/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/SGWWS2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250218T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250218T140000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250129T155827Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250131T152142Z
UID:21217-1739880000-1739887200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Finance February: Financial Planning for Farmers
DESCRIPTION:This session will be divided into three sections with the goal of furthering your understanding of common financial planning topics: \n\nGovernment Retirement programs – “Your baseline retirement plan”.\nEducation planning. “Gaming your Registered Education Savings Plan”\nSocially Responsible Investing. “Lets talk about values in your RRSP”\n\nEFAO’s Finance February webinar series is intended to support participants in building practical skills and knowledge to support smoother financial operations and overall farm financial wellbeing. This session will be suitable for anyone who hopes to grow their financial management and planning skills and knowledge. \nA recording will be sent to all registered participants within a few days of the webinar. \nThis workshop is supported by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/finance-february-financial-planning-for-farmers/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Finance-February.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250212T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250212T210000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250120T163001Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250120T200738Z
UID:21138-1739386800-1739394000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:NFU-O Presents: Interpersonal Dynamics\, Training\, & Retention
DESCRIPTION:EFAO is pleased to be a supporting partner for this webinar series hosted by the National Farmers Union – Ontario! \n\n\nThis webinar is part of the NFU-O’s Cultivating Best Human Resource Practices on Small and Mid-scale Farms webinar series. Join for one session\, or for all! \nWant to create a friendly and co-operative work environment? You’ve come to the right place! Experts will share employee handbook and orientation designs\, training and development tips\, equity and discrimination policies\, stress and wellbeing measures\, staff retention strategies\, and more. \nSpeakers: Marcelle Paulin\, Sleepy G Farm\, Isaac Crosby\, Crosby Gitigaan & UofT Indigenous Garden\, Heather Thoma\, Many Ways Collective\, and Paul Wartman\, Many Ways Collective. \n  
URL:https://efao.ca/event/nfu-o-presents-interpersonal-dynamics-training-retention-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Hiring-Incentive-9.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250212T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250212T133000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250122T162612Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250207T160945Z
UID:21184-1739361600-1739367000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Digging Deep: Celebrating Okra from Seed to Plate
DESCRIPTION:In order to make our training and community building events accessible to all farmers and future farmers in Ontario\, EFAO strives to reduce financial barriers for registration by using a sliding scale model. To register using a sliding scale registration fee\, please complete this form. \nJoin us for an inspiring webinar featuring Chris Smith (executive director of the Utopian Seed Project and author of The Whole Okra)\, Ekow Stone (Farmer-Researcher and on-farm okra breeder at It’s Giving Farm)\, and Stephanie Wang (cookbook author and farmer at Le Rizen) as they dive into the incredible diversity of okra. \nFrom seed sourcing to growing\, harvesting\, marketing\, as well as breeding\, this session will explore how to cultivate high-quality okra while celebrating its cultural and culinary significance. Whether you’re a farmer\, gardener\, or food enthusiast\, you’ll gain practical insights to incorporate this versatile crop into your market or home garden. \nA Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants. \nAbout the Speakers: \nChris Smith is Executive Director of the Utopian Seed Project\, a crop-trialing nonprofit working to celebrate food and farming. Within this work\, Chris collaborates on The Heirloom Collard Project\, hosts a seasonal Trial to Table event series\, and publishes Crop Stories\, a crop-specific multimedia project. His book\, The Whole Okra\, won a James Beard Foundation Award in 2020\, and he is the co-host of The Okra Pod Cast. In 2023 Chris received the Organic Educator Award from The Organic Growers School and was named a Champion of Conservation by Garden & Gun. More info at utopianseed.org. \nEkow Stone has been working as a farmer and educator for the last 4 years focusing on youth engagement\, cut flower production\, and seed saving. He’s an artist working in the mediums of ink + pyrography\, and has exhibited in a number of galleries across Southern Ontario. He enjoys passing the time watching anime\, learning about ancient history and flower gazing. \nStéphanie Wang is the founder of Le Rizen in Frelighsburg\, Quebec. Growing organic Asian vegetables gives her the satisfaction of a job that feeds mouths and a lifestyle rooted in the natural cycle of the seasons. In 2023\, Stéphanie and her two sisters published “Asian Vegetables: Gardening. Cooking. Storytelling.” This book is a journey through a season of market gardening where readers will discover 15 Asian vegetables (including okra!)\, tips and ideas on how to grow them organically and cook them deliciously\, and 40 recipes from starter to dessert by chefs and other food-lovers. It also shares the unique stories of the Wang family\, who moved from China to Madagascar before emigrating to Quebec and elsewhere.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/digging-deep-celebrating-okra-from-seed-to-plate/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Okro-Photo-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250211T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250211T190000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250131T142629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250204T144132Z
UID:21222-1739296800-1739300400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Miinikaan: The Seed is You
DESCRIPTION:All Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this webinar free of charge! Please use the coupon code MIIN2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nGathering\, holding\, sharing\, collecting\, protecting and nurturing seeds helps us understand our origins. We are all seeds that carry stories from the land. Keeping us connected as a life-giving force that springs from the fertile soil’s energy and its duality of the Star systems. For millennia people have sustained abundance and produced many varieties of seeds to cultivate and nourish communities. Learn about Indigenous agroecological practices of the Anishinabe from soil regeneration to controlled burning and the Seven Sisters to Indigenous celestial calendar activities of planting and harvesting times of the 13 moons. \nThis webinar is part of EFAO’s Indigenous Outreach and Engagement Initiative\, which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Agribusiness. \n  \nChef Johl Whiteduck is the owner of NishDish Marketeria and Catering\, an award-winning small business that’s been reclaiming and serving traditional Anishinaabe food since 2005. Chef Johl’s journey of Indigenous Food Sovereignty has led him to founding Ojibiikaan Indigenous Cultural Network\, along with the first Indigenous Harvesters & Artisans market. He has spearheaded Indigenous gardens and a small business dedicated to Indigenous gardens called Miinikaan Innovation and Design\, and numerous community partnerships. His creation in 2017 of an Indigenous Culinary Arts curriculum\, a ceremonial in-depth land and food-based program\, led to some of the first traditionally planted Three Sisters gardens in the GTA. The gifts to Chef Johl of centuries-old ancestral seeds started the ongoing development of an extensive Indigenous seed bank. The expansion of NishDish’s Indigenous food gardens around the city laid the groundwork for the birth of a brand-new organization that Chef Johl founded in 2018\, called Ojibiikaan Indigenous Cultural Network. He is the founding Board President of the first and only not-for-profit dedicated to Indigenous Food Sovereignty in the GTA.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/miinikaan-the-seed-is-you/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-design-7.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250211T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250211T140000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250116T192642Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250131T152118Z
UID:21103-1739275200-1739282400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Finance February: Annual Accounting Tips & Tricks
DESCRIPTION:Are you a farmer in Northern Ontario?  You can attend all four “Finance February” events free of charge.  Please fill out this form before registering to receive your COUPON CODE.  \nThis session will focus on successful annual accounting. Participants will build on the skills and topics covered in day-to-day bookkeeping to work toward annual accounting needs and reviews. This webinar will cover topics such as filing tax returns\, tax tips for farmers\,tax savings opportunities\, depreciation\, property tax\, and programs such as AgriInvest\,  AgriStability\, and Self-Directed Risk Management (SDRM) for Edible Horticulture. \nEFAO’s Finance February webinar series is intended to support participants in building practical skills and knowledge to support smoother financial operations and overall farm financial wellbeing.  \nThis session is intended for those with 5-7 years farming experience\, but will be suitable for anyone who hopes to grow their financial management and accounting skills and knowledge. It is strongly recommended for anyone wishing to participate in EFAO’s Vegetable Benchmarking study. \nA recording will be sent to all registered participants within a few days of the webinar. \nThis workshop is supported by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/finance-february-annual-accounting-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/2h-media-h7dBE4zAL54-unsplash-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250205T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250205T210000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250120T160336Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250120T200136Z
UID:21109-1738782000-1738789200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:NFU-O Presents: HR Fundamentals
DESCRIPTION:EFAO is pleased to be a supporting partner for this webinar series hosted by the National Farmers Union – Ontario! \n\n\nThis webinar is part of the NFU-O’s Cultivating Best Human Resource Practices on Small and Mid-scale Farms webinar series. Join for one session\, or for all! \nScared of the paperwork? Not anymore! Learn about employment standards and legislation\, health and safety and WSIB requirements; payroll and wages\, grants and cost-share programs\, and other general logistics. \nSpeakers: Fariha Nafees (Pfenning’s Organics)\, Dave Kranenburg (Graze & Gather and Kendall Hills Farm) & Sarah Dolamore (Mount Wolfe Farm)\, \n   \n\n\n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/nfu-o-hr-fundamentals-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Hiring-Incentive-5.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250205T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250205T153000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20241218T150245Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241218T150245Z
UID:21038-1738764000-1738769400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Time Savers for Seed Savers
DESCRIPTION:Whether you’re a gardening chaos goblin or a lean farming aficionado – if you’re growing for seed\, then this event is for you! \nSeed production is a labour of love with tight margins\, where a little efficiency goes a long way. This farm club style event is a chance to see what other seed growers are doing and pick up some tips to save you time and energy\, so you can keep saving your seeds. \nJoin us for a panel of fun\, 5-minute lightning presentations from commercial seed growers sharing their favourite time-saving hacks. \n\nHarvesting seed in the field\nWet-processing pepper seeds\nDrying wet-processed seeds\nSmall plot threshing\nSeed cleaning\nAnd more!\n\nIf you’d like to join the panel and share a time-saving tip of your own\, please reach out to your local Bauta Family Initiative Regional Coordinator for more info. \nPlease note: this event will be recorded\, and will be offered in English\, with translated slides available in French.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/time-savers-seed-savers/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/https-cdn.evbuc_.com-images-911030123-152293759798-1-original.20241203-214919-e1734534093765.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250204T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250204T140000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250116T192050Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250131T152118Z
UID:21097-1738670400-1738677600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Finance February: Bookkeeping Basics (and beyond)
DESCRIPTION:Are you a farmer in Northern Ontario?  You can attend all four “Finance February” events free of charge.  Please fill out this form before registering to receive your COUPON CODE.  \nThis session will focus on the nuts and bolts of daily bookkeeping and financial record keeping. Participants will learn what to keep track of in their business and how to track it\, as well as how to categorize expenses accurately and track farm finances in a way that makes tax season easier. Other topics covered include creating and keeping a chart of accounts\, the function of profit & loss statements\, using balance sheets\, and what different financial statements can help farmers understand about their business. \nEFAO’s Finance February webinar series is intended to support participants in building practical skills and knowledge to support smoother financial operations and overall farm financial wellbeing.  \nThis session is intended for those with 5-7 years farming experience\, but will be suitable for anyone who hopes to grow their financial management and accounting skills and knowledge. It is recommended for anyone wishing to participate in EFAO’s Vegetable Benchmarking study. \nA recording will be sent to all registered participants within a few days of the webinar. \nThis workshop is supported by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/finance-february-bookkeeping-basics-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/stellrweb-djb1whucfBY-unsplash-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250129T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250129T210000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250120T161846Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250120T195944Z
UID:21128-1738177200-1738184400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:NFU-O Presents: Hiring and Incentives
DESCRIPTION:EFAO is pleased to be a supporting partner for this webinar series hosted by the National Farmers Union – Ontario! \n\n\nThis webinar is part of the NFU-O’s Cultivating Best Human Resource Practices on Small and Mid-scale Farms webinar series. Join for one session\, or for all! \nFind out how to hire effectively! This session will include a discussion on deciding what type of employees will work best for you\, how to develop a job description and interview questions\, job advertising options\, and building an incentives package. \nSpeakers: Renée Primeau\, Tourne-Sol Farm\, Jessey Njau\, Zawadi Farm\, Luke Sheldrick\, Terramor Farm \n    \n\n\n  \n  \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/nfu-o-presents-hiring-and-incentives-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Hiring-Incentive.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250128T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250128T150000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20241218T165138Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250120T193237Z
UID:21044-1738072800-1738076400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Introduction to Soil Health
DESCRIPTION:Soil is the foundation of growing healthy food. In this interactive webinar\, we will discuss the types of soils and their attributes\, the role of soil organic matter\, and activities that contribute to degrading\, maintaining\, and building healthy soils. \nSpeaker: Sarah Larsen\, Research & Small Grains Programs Director at EFAO. Sarah will bring her perspective on soil using knowledge gained as an academic and as a Michif (Red River Métis) woman\, farmer\, and Water Protector. \nAll Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this webinar free of charge! Please use the coupon code 100SOIL when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nThis webinar is part of EFAO’s Indigenous Outreach and Engagement Initiative\, which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Agribusiness.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/introduction-to-soil-health/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Soil-workshop-e1716911561168.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250128T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250128T130000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20250116T184925Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250123T200153Z
UID:21086-1738063800-1738069200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Finance February: Vegetable Benchmarking
DESCRIPTION:A group of EFAO farmers came together in 2024 to dig deep on farm financials and get transparent on the profit potential for ecological vegetable production. Their meeting sparked a new pilot benchmarking study at EFAO\, with the goal to expand collective knowledge of the factors that influence the financial resilience of ecological farms.  \nJoin this session to learn about the use of financial benchmarks in supporting small-scale ecological farm viability. Speakers will share the results of a benchmarking study by PASA which inspired similar conversations at EFAO\, and common challenges and tips for participating in benchmarking studies.  We hope that participants will leave with enthusiasm for this important area of research and next steps for participating in EFAO’s study. \nThis session kicks off Finance February\, an EFAO webinar series focused on supporting farm financial viability with practical skills and knowledge. Check out the EFAO Events page for more information. \nA Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants. \nFunding support for these workshops has been generously provided by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.  \n \n  \nAbout the speakers: \nAngie Koch‘s passion for vegetable production is rivalled only by her passion for spreadsheets and profitability analyses – a point of both pride and discomfort. She is excited by the potential to better understand the factors that contribute to farm viability and financial resilience. \nJohn Hendrickson coordinates research and training programs in organic and sustainable specialty crop production\, marketing\, and profitability at the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His work focuses on the economics and profitability of fresh market vegetable farming. He is particularly passionate about farm viability as it relates to farm scale\, livelihood\, labor\, and equipment. \nMichael Guerci is a research coordinator at Pasa Sustainable Agriculture. He primarily coordinates and advocates for Pasa’s Financial Benchmark Study and Soil Health Benchmark Study. Prior to joining Pasa\, he worked on diversified vegetable farms for many years. He also holds a Master’s in Agricultural and Applied Economics from Virginia Tech and volunteered for the Peace Corps in the Philippines. \nHeather Newman works at EFAO as Research Coordinator\, supporting the team in the pilot year of the vegetable benchmark study.  She grew up farming on an organic mixed farm in Bruce County. After completing her BSc at the University of Waterloo\, Heather returned home to raise a family. As her family grew so did her own farm and food business. Heather is passionate about growing heritage varieties in an ecologically conscientious way\, growing the local food economy and creating unique\, delicious food products from local ingredients through her co-owned food company\, Two Birds One Stone. 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/finance-february-vegetable-benchmarking-2025/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250114T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250114T143000
DTSTAMP:20260514T231843
CREATED:20241105T191945Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241105T192042Z
UID:20829-1736859600-1736865000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Exploring Cucurbit Genetics: Watermelon\, Melon\, & Cucumber Adaptation
DESCRIPTION:Are you a farmer interested in adapting cucurbit crops like cucumbers\, watermelons\, and melons for northern climates? Join us for an in-depth webinar with Dr Micheal Mazourek\, where we’ll explore breeding techniques\, disease resistance\, and adaptation strategies tailored for more northern growing conditions. Topics will include: \n\nCucurbit genetics\, and key traits to look for in regional adaptation including disease resistance\, earliness\, and cold tolerance\nThe pros and cons of different crossing strategies\nTips for breeding cucurbits in small spaces\n\nThis session will also cover practical tips on improving flavour\, stabilizing varieties\, and how to handle challenges with seed production in these crops. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced in plant breeding\, this webinar will provide valuable insights for adapting cucurbits to your region’s unique growing challenges. \nPlease submit your questions in advance to shape the discussion. \nWho Should Attend: \nFarmers\, breeders\, and seed enthusiasts interested in plant breeding and adapting crops to ecological conditions.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/exploring-cucurbit-genetics-practical-breeding-strategies-for-watermelon-melon-and-cucumber-adaptation/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
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