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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for EFAO
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TZID:America/Toronto
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DTSTART:20240310T070000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240410T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240410T163000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240401T153645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240401T153645Z
UID:19234-1712759400-1712766600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Language of Ecological Agriculture
DESCRIPTION:This webinar is part of the Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program – a collaboration between Ignatius Jesuit Centre\, EFAO\, Everdale and the National Farmers Union – Ontario.  \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.  A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Thorsten Arnold\, Grey-Bruce Centre for Agroecology & Persephone Market Garden \n \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/language-of-ecological-agriculture-2024/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/language-of-eco-ag-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240409T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240409T163000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240401T153624Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240401T153624Z
UID:19228-1712673000-1712680200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Introduction to Organic Growing
DESCRIPTION:This webinar is part of the Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program – a collaboration between Ignatius Jesuit Centre\, EFAO\, Everdale and the National Farmers Union – Ontario.  \n  \nAre 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. \nTopics will include the basics of getting to know your site\, common tools\, site preparation\, planting\, pest management\, harvesting\, and extending the season.  A recording of this webinar will be available. \n  \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Farm Educator  at Ignatius Farm \n \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/introduction-to-organic-growing-2024/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/IMG_2225-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240402T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240402T160000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240327T154218Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240327T155312Z
UID:19201-1712070000-1712073600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Garlic Growing: Trials and Q&A
DESCRIPTION:Garlic planting is a staple in many farmer’s years\, but when and how exactly this gets done can be tricky! In this webinar\, Travis Cranmer (Vegetable Crop Specialist with OMAFRA) will share some of the findings from his research on “when is the best time to plant garlic?” done in 2022 and 2023. Travis will give attention to considerations of soil type\, frost dates\, cultivar selection\, and how these variables can influence root establishment that can prevent winterkill and result in higher yields. After presenting his findings\, there will be ample time for attendees to ask questions and have discussion. \nAbout the host: \nTravis Cranmer is a Vegetable Crop Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Rural Affairs. Travis works with growers\, consultants\, industry\, and researchers to improve production and pest management strategies for Alliums\, Brassicas and leafy greens. Trials with a garlic focus include work on cultivar performance\, fusarium management\, planting dates\, virus-freed clean seed\, leek moth and nematode management as well as intercropping. Travis received his BSc in Biology and MSc in Plant Production Systems with an emphasis on plant pathology from the University of Guelph.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/garlic-growing-trails-and-qa/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/garlic-headshot.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240325T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240325T200000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240307T165149Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240307T174203Z
UID:19054-1711391400-1711396800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Cash Flow Budgeting
DESCRIPTION:March is Member Month at EFAO! Every March\, we offer a series of events to prospective members at free or discounted rates\, to give folks a chance to experience membership without the commitment. Members who join EFAO or renew in March (regardless of when their membership expires) will be entered to win 3 books of their choice from New Society Publishers! Visit the EFAO membership page for more details. \nWould you like to head into this season with a clear plan for your financial cash flow? Join author\, accountant\, and entrepreneur Julia Shanksin this workshop-style webinar focused on creating a cash flow budget. Attendees can expect to go over the process of creating an annual cash flow budget to ensure they stay cash positive throughout their growing season. Julia will work step-by-step using a live excel spreadsheet (participants will get a copy after the session) to create a budget. Other topics addressed will include how to project expenses\, estimate revenue\, and account for debt service and owners draw. If these terms are a bit unfamiliar\, not to worry\, these ideas will be clarified and explained in this interactive and practical session and there will be time for Q&A at the end. \nAbout the speaker \nJulia Shanks brings a broad range of professional experience to her clients; from pilot\, to chef\, to serial entrepreneur\, she combines the practicality of an accountant with the creativity of a chef. Julia’s career started at the FAA as an aviation analyst\, and quickly took a turn into the culinary arts. Julia worked as a chef for 15 years\, launching several food businesses. After earning an MBA in entrepreneurship\, she taught graduate and undergraduate accounting at Babson College. As a business consultant and coach\, she supports owners of small- and medium- sized food and agricultural businesses to achieve and maintain financial and operational sustainability and also offers online training courses. Together with Brett Grohsgal\, she co-authored The Farmers Market Cookbook. Julia lives in Cambridge\, MA. She is also the author of The Farmer’s Office. \nMarch is Member Month at EFAO! Join EFAO or renew in March and you’ll be entered to win 3 books of their choice from New Society Publishers! Visit the EFAO membership page for more details. \nIn order to make our events accessible to all current and aspiring farmers in Ontario\, EFAO uses a “pay what you can” model. To register using this model\, please complete this form!
URL:https://efao.ca/event/cash-flow-budgeting/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Member-Month-Frame-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240321T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240321T141500
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240227T212357Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240319T191253Z
UID:18907-1711026000-1711030500@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Cover Crops Make Organic No-Till Possible
DESCRIPTION:March is Member Month at EFAO! Every March\, we offer a series of events to prospective members at free or discounted rates\, to give folks a chance to experience membership without the commitment. Members who join EFAO or renew in March (regardless of when their membership expires) will be entered to win 3 books of their choice from New Society Publishers! Visit the EFAO membership page for more details. \nKen Laing presents this EFAO/FaRM webinar which will include a closer look at cover crop use. Attendees will learn from Ken’s wealth of experience with cereal grain\, including knowledge gained in the last 4 years of Ken’s research with Living Labs focusing on vegetable crops. The Living Laboratories Initiative is an integrated approach to agricultural innovation that brings farmers\, scientists\, and other partners together to co-develop\, test\, and monitor new practices and technologies in a real-life context. \nThis webinar will include a Q&A session after the presentation as well\, so bring your questions! Ken will also speak briefly about his work as a mentor with the Farmers for Climate Solutions FaRM program\, including how you can connect with him for more insights. \nThis webinar is part 2 (of 2) of Ken’s Cover Crop winter series. You can attend either or both sessions\, and register for Part 1 “Don’t Farm Naked – An Introduction to Cover Crops” here. \nAbout the speaker \nKen (he/him) grew up on a farm near the town of St. Mary’s. When he studied at the University of Guelph\, Ken’s passion for agriculture led him to earn a degree in horticulture. After completing his studies he moved with his wife\, Martha\, to Martha’s family farm and established Orchard Hill Farm in 1979. For the first phase of their farming career they produced pick-your-own strawberries\, raspberries\, peaches and elderberries. They purchased their first team of draft horses in 1980. In 1989 they began the transition to organic farming and grew some grain crops in addition to the fruit. In 1997 Martha and their daughter Ellen started a small CSA garden producing vegetables to help pay for Ellen’s university tuition. Over the years the CSA became the main enterprise on the farm\, and today livestock is a major focus. From 2020-2023 Ken ran no-till organic vegetable trials with Living Labs – Ontario and EFAO. \nThis event is held in partnership with Farmers for Climate Solutions \nThis event is an OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Cover Cropping category. Questions about OFCAF should be directed to OFCAF@ontariosoilcrop.org.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/cover-crops-make-organic-no-till-possible/
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-11.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240320T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240320T150000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240228T202440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240305T143637Z
UID:18927-1710939600-1710946800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Seed Sovereignty Mini-School: Cross-Generational Seed Stewardship
DESCRIPTION:Welcome to Seed Sovereignty Mini-School!\nThe content of this event is geared towards Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members\, who are invited to access this webinar free of charge! Please use the coupon code SDSCH2 at registration to receive free admission.  \nAll are welcome to attend this two-session webinar series. \nSession #2: Cross-Generational Seed Stewardship – Bridging the Past\, Present\, and Future\nThis intermediate session with Tiffany Traverse will include more discussion\, with opportunities to collectively talk through common barriers to Indigenous food sovereignty.  \nIn this thought-provoking session\, we’ll cover::   \n\nEthical seed sourcing\nHow to research\, record and share the breeding histories and stories of seed\, while also respecting the lineage of seed\nHow to have trust between seed companies and traditional seedkeepers \nHow Indigenous peoples did the selection and adaptation of so many of foods\nIsolation distances and protecting genetics of traditional crops \nIndigenous breeding methods\nSeed has a memory – how do we ensure seed\, food\, and stories are passed up\, across\, and down to all generations?\nHow do we encourage youth and others to get involved in seed work\nWhat is working (and what isn’t) for the Indigenous food sovereignty movement\n\nRegister for Session #1: Embark on Your Seed Keeping Journey – Mastering the Basics \n  \nAbout the speaker: Tiffany Traverse is an Indigenous seed and land steward at Fourth Sister Farm\, a guest in the Peace Region of what’s now known as BC\, on Treaty 8 territory\, homeland of the Dane-zaa peoples. Having grown up on her Great Grandparent’s homestead\, on her peoples’ traditional Secwépemc territory in the Columbia Valley\, Tiffany’s love for growing food and stewarding the land\, comes as naturally as breathing. \nLiving now in northeastern BC\, she continues to foster the belief that if you care for the land\, it will give back to you in droves. Having the privilege of arable land access and a passion for community-led research\, has given Tiffany the ability to participate in variety trials through CANOVI and Seed Savers Exchange\, as well as the Seed Seva Seasonal Mentorship program with Rowen White. Her path has also led her to help conduct a large grow-out and stewardship of rare Indigenous seed under the mentorship of Métis Seedkeeper Caroline Chartrand. \n  \nMarch is Member Month at EFAO! Join EFAO or renew in March and you’ll be entered to win 3 books of their choice from New Society Publishers! Visit the EFAO membership page for more details. \nIn order to make our events accessible to all current and aspiring farmers in Ontario\, EFAO uses a “pay what you can” model. To register using this model\, please complete this form! \nThis webinar is part of EFAO’s Indigenous Outreach and Engagement Initiative\, which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Rural Affairs.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/seed-stewardship/
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-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240320T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240320T120000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240222T161705Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240222T161832Z
UID:18812-1710932400-1710936000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Stats 101
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 ”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 the webinar\, we will walk through how to use a random number generator and discuss how simple statistical tests such as t-tests and analysis of variance can be performed using free online calculators. We will provide datasets for you to calculate in real time alongside the examples\, so you can practice the skills as you learn them\, and see how they might benefit you in your on-farm research. \nAbout the host \nSarah Larsen (née Hargreaves) leads the Farmer-Led Research Program and Small Grains Program and supports soil health components of EFAO’s education programs. \nSarah holds a Ph.D. in Soil Microbial Ecology from Iowa State University. Raised in Toronto\, Sarah spent three years studying nutrient cycling in the sub-Arctic\, where she found her love of soil microbes as the ultimate recyclers and network builders; followed by 10 years in Iowa\, where applied her passion for soil microbes to agroecosystems. Through her involvement with Practical Farmers of Iowa\, she also learned about the power of farmer-to-farmer networks — the “mycelia” within farming communities — to ignite the curiosity and innovative spirit of farmers. To support farmers in this way in Ontario\, Sarah launched EFAO’s Farmer-Led Research Program in 2016\, EFAO’s Small Grains Program in 2020\, and she also supports soil health components of EFAO’s education programs. When she’s not working with EFAO members\, you can find Sarah tending the land with her partner and daughter at Three Ridges Ecological Farm\, and rekindling the sacred fire of her Michif (Red River Métis) roots.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/stats-101/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Beyond-the-3-Sisters-The-Science-and-Methods-Behind-Traditional-Indigenous-Agriculture.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240313T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240313T203000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240213T212439Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240229T161650Z
UID:18751-1710356400-1710361800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Take Back Control of Your Farm: Creating Space with Greenhouse Automation
DESCRIPTION:March is Member Month at EFAO! Every March\, we offer a series of events to prospective members at free or discounted rates\, to give folks a chance to experience membership without the commitment. Members who join EFAO or renew in March (regardless of when their membership expires) will be entered to win 3 books of their choice from New Society Publishers! Visit the EFAO membership page for more details. \nJoin Guillaume Lambert\, an expert in greenhouse optimization\, and Luke Sheldrick from Terramor Farm\, as they delve into how greenhouse automation can enhance profitability for small-scale farms in 2024 by creating more operational space for farmers. This webinar will open the door to the real advantages and challenges of such systems as represented by an Ontario farmer as well as ORISHA. It can be easy to dismiss automation as something that is only possible for large-scale businesses\, but thinking this way might be stopping you from accessing a worthwhile tool for operating your business better. Bring your questions about automation to the session. \nAttendees will gain precise insights and hear a fellow market gardener’s perspective on the impacts and process of automation. \nTopics covered: \n\nInvestment costs\nImpact on the bottom line\nChallenges of adopting new technology\nBenefits in terms of energy and labor cost savings\, and yield enhancements\n\nSchedule: \n\nIntroduction featuring Guillaume Lambert\, who will share his professional background and journey.\nA 30 minute educational presentation (non-promotional).\nA 20-30 minute personal experience talk by a market gardener (Luke Sheldrick)\nA 15-20 minute Q&A session.\n\nDiscover how this technology can offer strategies to reclaim the reins of your farm’s operation\, and bring your questions to the speakers in the Q&A!
URL:https://efao.ca/event/greenhouse-automation/
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-14.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240313T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240313T141500
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240227T211446Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240229T161145Z
UID:18902-1710334800-1710339300@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Don’t Farm Naked - An Introduction to Cover Crops
DESCRIPTION:March is Member Month at EFAO! Every March\, we offer a series of events to prospective members at free or discounted rates\, to give folks a chance to experience membership without the commitment. Members who join EFAO or renew in March (regardless of when their membership expires) will be entered to win 3 books of their choice from New Society Publishers! Visit the EFAO membership page for more details. \nKen Laing presents this EFAO/FaRM webinar which will include an introduction to cover crop use\, including: \n\nWhy they are used\nHow they are used\nSpecies to use\nSeed sources\nFertility needs\nPlanting strategies\nTermination strategies\nExamples covered for both vegetable and field crops\n\nThis webinar will include a Q&A session after the presentation as well\, so bring your questions! Ken will also speak briefly about his work as a mentor with the Farmers for Climate Solutions FaRM program\, including how you can connect with him for more insights. \nThis webinar is part 1 (of 2) of Ken’s Cover Crop winter series. You can attend either or both sessions\, and register for Part 2 “Cover Crops Make Organic No-Till Possible” here. \nAbout the speaker \nKen (he/him) grew up on a farm near the town of St. Mary’s. When he studied at the University of Guelph\, Ken’s passion for agriculture led him to earn a degree in horticulture. After completing his studies he moved with his wife\, Martha\, to Martha’s family farm and established Orchard Hill Farm in 1979. For the first phase of their farming career they produced pick-your-own strawberries\, raspberries\, peaches and elderberries. They purchased their first team of draft horses in 1980. In 1989 they began the transition to organic farming and grew some grain crops in addition to the fruit. In 1997 Martha and their daughter Ellen started a small CSA garden producing vegetables to help pay for Ellen’s university tuition. Over the years the CSA became the main enterprise on the farm\, and today livestock is a major focus. From 2020-2023 Ken ran no-till organic vegetable trials with Living Labs – Ontario and EFAO.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/dont-farm-naked-an-introduction-to-cover-crops/
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-12.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240312T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240312T140000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240304T162734Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240304T162734Z
UID:19009-1710248400-1710252000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Loop Resource: Redistributing Food Waste to Farms
DESCRIPTION:March is Member Month at EFAO! Every March\, we offer a series of events to prospective members at free or discounted rates\, to give folks a chance to experience membership without the commitment. Members who join EFAO or renew in March (regardless of when their membership expires) will be entered to win 3 books of their choice from New Society Publishers! Visit the EFAO membership page for more details. \nSave money on feed and prevent grocery store “waste” from ending up in the landfill! \nLoop Resource is a program that connects farmers with their local grocery store to pick up food that stores can’t sell in order to feed their animals. This organization started in 2018 in Dawson Creek\, BC\, by a farmer\, Jaime White\, who found that he was working a full-time job in order to feed his animals\, but felt that there had to be a better way so that he could spend more time with his family. He got in touch with his local grocery store to see if they’d be willing to share their unsellable food with him\, and Loop was born. Since then\, they’ve grown to serve almost 4000 farms across Canada and over 350 stores\, and have diverted over 191 MILLION pounds of food from the landfill! \nMeet Jaime and learn more about how Loop works — and how you can get involved — at this FREE member month Q&A! \nMore about Loop \nThe team at Loop believes that food should always be put to its highest and best use\, so wherever possible\, the food goes to charities first (only what they need with no waste management burden) and then farms next to feed their animals. What farmers can’t use goes into their compost pile\, and the loop continues. \nSome typical items that farmers receive in pickups are produce like wilted lettuce\, squished tomatoes\, soft apples and bags of salad mixes. They also get dairy\, like milk past its best-before date\, deli items like fruit or sandwiches\, meat and seafood for dogs and cats\, and other grocery items. \nMembers can learn more about Loop Resource at loopresource.ca \nAbout the speaker \nJaime White is New Projects Director at Loop Resource. Jaime was raised in central BC and currently lives on a farm near Dawson Creek\, BC with his family. Loop was formed to divert unsold food from grocery stores away from the landfill towards charities and to networks of local farms that use it as animal feed. As one of the first farms participating in Loop when it began in 2017\, and with his background in business\, Jaime set up the waivers and insurance that grocery stores required. His continued involvement has helped Loop expand coast to coast in Canada.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/loop-resource-redistributing-food-waste-to-farms/
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-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240307T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240307T150000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240228T202241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240229T191238Z
UID:18936-1709816400-1709823600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Seed Sovereignty Mini-School: Embark on Your Seed Keeping Journey
DESCRIPTION:Welcome to Seed Sovereignty Mini-School!\nThe content of this event is geared towards Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members\, who are invited to access this webinar free of charge! Please use the coupon code SDSCH1 at registration to receive free admission.  \nAll are welcome to attend this two-session webinar series. \nSession #1: Embark on Your Seed Keeping Journey – Mastering the Basics\nJoin Tiffany Traverse for this introductory session designed to help build confidence in choosing\, growing and saving seeds for and from your garden\, using varieties suited to your (and your community’s) specific needs and climatic conditions.  \nTogether\, we’ll explore: \n\nUnderstanding the language on seed packets\nDiscussion of climate zones\nIsolation distances for growing seed\nThe life cycle of seeds\nThreshing\, winnowing\, wet processing\, and storing seeds\nSeason extension\nAdapting for change (drought\, frost\, flood\, food shortage/inflation\, etc.)\nSelecting varieties suited for food storage & preservation (cold storage\, drying\, canning\, etc.)\n\nRegister for Session #2: Cross-Generational Seed Stewardship – Bridging the Past\, Present\, and Future \n  \nAbout the speaker: Tiffany Traverse is an Indigenous seed and land steward at Fourth Sister Farm\, a guest in the Peace Region of what’s now known as BC\, on Treaty 8 territory\, homeland of the Dane-zaa peoples. Having grown up on her Great Grandparent’s homestead\, on her peoples’ traditional Secwépemc territory in the Columbia Valley\, Tiffany’s love for growing food and stewarding the land\, comes as naturally as breathing. \nLiving now in northeastern BC\, she continues to foster the belief that if you care for the land\, it will give back to you in droves. Having the privilege of arable land access and a passion for community-led research\, has given Tiffany the ability to participate in variety trials through CANOVI and Seed Savers Exchange\, as well as the Seed Seva Seasonal Mentorship program with Rowen White. Her path has also led her to help conduct a large grow-out and stewardship of rare Indigenous seed under the mentorship of Métis Seedkeeper Caroline Chartrand. \n  \nMarch is Member Month at EFAO! Join EFAO or renew in March and you’ll be entered to win 3 books of their choice from New Society Publishers! Visit the EFAO membership page for more details. \nThis webinar is part of EFAO’s Indigenous Outreach and Engagement Initiative\, which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Rural Affairs. \nIn order to make our events accessible to all current and aspiring farmers in Ontario\, EFAO uses a “pay what you can” model. To register using this model\, please complete this form!
URL:https://efao.ca/event/mastering-the-basics/
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.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240306T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240306T140000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240131T193437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240131T193437Z
UID:18641-1709730000-1709733600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Small Grains Winter Webinar Series - Organic Weed Management for Small Grains
DESCRIPTION:Managing small grains organically can be a challenge when it comes to crop protection. It’s important to know what tools are available in your organic farming toolkit to manage weeds and other pests to produce the best yields and quality grains possible. \nDr. Martin Entz is a professor in the Department of Plant Science at the University of Manitoba and inaugural Jarislowsky Chair in Natural Systems Agriculture for Climate Solutions. His research focuses on ecologically-integrated farming systems and empowering farmers with the knowledge and other tools required to design sustainable farming systems adapted to where they live. He’s well-versed in growing small grains\, and has been involved in the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security’s participatory plant-breeding programs\, which empower farmers to make their own plant selections. Dr. Entz knows how challenging it can be to be an ecological farmer – and he’s got plenty of knowledge to share! \nEFAO’s Small Grains Network is funded and supported by the Weston Family Foundation’s Soil Health Initiative. \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/organic-weed-management/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/5-March-6.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240304T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240304T203000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240215T174223Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240229T160723Z
UID:18781-1709578800-1709584200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Season Extension
DESCRIPTION:March is Member Month at EFAO! Every March\, we offer a series of events to prospective members at free or discounted rates\, to give folks a chance to experience membership without the commitment. Members who join EFAO or renew in March (regardless of when their membership expires) will be entered to win 3 books of their choice from New Society Publishers! Visit the EFAO membership page for more details. \nAre you curious about the best use of time and space for your operations? Have you incorporated season extension into your plans? Whether you are interested in starting the season sooner or carrying on for longer – this webinar will explore both options for growing in ‘the shoulder seasons’ with insights and examples from Leslie of Cedar Down Farm and Fraser of Aldergrove Organic Farm. Topics addressed will include greenhouse growing\, heat and no-heat scenarios\, crop planning\, and how season extension can impact sales and labour year-round. There will be opportunities to ask questions of both speakers as well.  \nAbout the speakers \nLeslie Moskovits (she/her) owns and manages Cedar Down Farm near Neustadt\, ON\, Saukiing Anishnaabekiing territory\,  with her partner Jeff Boesch.  We farm with a team of dedicated co-farmers – Jess Martin and Ahren Hughes and others who join seasonally.  Cedar Down grows diverse certified organic vegetables for a 200-ish member CSA program providing spring\, summer and winter shares to a local membership and to members in Guelph\, ON.  We also grow veggies for other small local food businesses such as the Conscious Farm Kitchen.  We grow veggies in the field and in 4 hoophouses for about 7 acres of vegetable production and manage about 20 acres total with cover crops for garden rotation.  Cedar Down is committed to serving our community high quality food\, building community relationships and providing meaningful\, equitable and enjoyable employment for our farm team. \nMichael Fraser\, (“Fraser”\, he/him) is the owner/operator of Aldergrove Organic Farm. Located north of Mount Forest in Grey county\, the traditional territory of the Annishnaabek Nation. With the help of six full time seasonal employees\, Aldergrove grows vegetables and cut flowers for two Toronto farmers markets. Growing for market since 2016\, Fraser understands the benefits of season extension growing vegetables in zone 5b. Aldergrove farm currently has under 2 acres in intensive market garden production\, with just over 3/8 acre (17000 sq ft) in protected culture. He looks forward to sharing his experience in season extension with you.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/season-extension/
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-13.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240228T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240228T210000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240129T203537Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240129T203537Z
UID:18595-1709146800-1709154000@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: Ryan Spence\, Field Good Farms\, Desmond Daley\, Renée Primeau\, Ferme Tourne-Sol \n    
URL:https://efao.ca/event/planning-task-management-and-delegation/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/HR-Session-4-FEB-28-SQUARE.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240227T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240227T203000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112216
CREATED:20240207T185125Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240207T185125Z
UID:18692-1709060400-1709065800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Beyond the 3 Sisters: The Science and Methods Behind Traditional Indigenous Agriculture
DESCRIPTION:This webinar is part of EFAO’s Indigenous Outreach and Engagement Initiative\, which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Rural Affairs. \n*All Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this webinar free of charge! Please use the coupon code: 3SIS24 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission.  \n  \nMany of us know what a 3 Sisters garden is\, but is it really that easy to build? How do they actually work? And what am I doing wrong?? \nLearn about the ancient science behind the mound-building “biodynamic” method of the Haudenosaunee\, how to grow it yourself\, and the most common reasons why these gardens fail. \n  \nAbout the speaker: Celeste Smith (she/her) is Oneida from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and a seed steward\, traditional agriculturalist and former professor of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) at Niagara College. She is the Founder/Director of Cultural Seeds (culturalseeds.com) an Indigenous seed store/rematriation project and Ga Gitigemi Gamik (wewillplantlodge.com) an ecological centre on a permanent Indigenous stewarded site\, where women and 2SLGBTTQQIA+ persons can (RE)learn ancestral agricultural methods lost to colonization. \n  \n  \nIn order to make our events accessible to all current and aspiring farmers in Ontario\, EFAO uses a “pay what you can” model. To register using this model\, please complete this form!
URL:https://efao.ca/event/beyond-the-three-sisters/
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-4-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240226T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240226T140000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20240131T162200Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240222T203948Z
UID:18632-1708952400-1708956000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Small Grains Winter Webinar Series - Ecological N Management: Compost and Manure
DESCRIPTION:Whether you’re an organic grower or just trying to cut down on synthetic inputs in your small grains\, this session is for you! Learn from two farmers who use compost and manure to manage nutrients in their soils\, and capture ecological and economic benefits. \n \nIn 2024\, Norm Lamothe from Woodleigh Farms is expanding Catching Carbon\, the compost production division of his operation. “Composting is the cornerstone of our commitment to ecological stewardship\, turning organic waste into a nutrient-rich elixir for our soil\,” he explains. “By harnessing the power of compost\, we not only reduce the environmental impact of waste but also enhance the fertility and structure of our fields. This natural\, organic fertilizer boosts soil health\, improves water retention\, and encourages the growth of beneficial microorganisms.” Sign up to learn more! \n \nBrett Israel of 3Gen Organics grows organic field crops\, and raises laying hens and pigs organically. Organic hog manure plays a major role in crop fertility on the farm. “Instead of relying on chemicals\, we use tools like cover crops\, crop rotation and our own organic hog manure to improve the health of our soil ecology. We depend on the diversity of our crop rotation to provide high yielding and nutritious grains which make excellent feed for our pigs. Feed the soil\, feed the crop\, feed the pigs\,” he says. Come on out to hear more about the role manure plays in this production loop. \nThis event is an OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Nitrogen Management category.  \nEFAO’s Small Grains Network is funded and supported by the Weston Family Foundation’s Soil Health Initiative.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/ecological-n-management/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/4-Feb-26.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240221T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240221T210000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20240129T202557Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240129T202557Z
UID:18587-1708542000-1708549200@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: Claire Perttula\, Leslie Moskovits\, Cedar Down Farm\, Hannah Atkinson Renglich\, Paul Wartman \n  
URL:https://efao.ca/event/interpersonal-dynamics-training-and-retention/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/HR-Session-3-FEB-21-SQUARE.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240221T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240221T140000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20240130T183702Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240213T204835Z
UID:18618-1708520400-1708524000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Small Grains Winter Webinar Series - Specialty & Niche Grains: Amaranth\, Quinoa & Millets
DESCRIPTION:Amaranth\, millets\, quinoa\, oh my!  \nWe spend a lot of time (and big players spend a lot of money) looking at wheat\, but what about the potential of other grains in Ontario? Come to this session to learn a little more about three grains that growers are experimenting with in Ontario.  \n \nDean Orr has been experimenting with quinoa\, working to find ideal varieties and agronomic practices to produce the crop organically in Ontario. Tune in to find out more about this finicky crop and how growers can work towards success.  \n \nRonaldo Eleazar Lec Ajcot at Luna Mia Farm has collaborated with other growers in EFAO’s Network to trial varieties of grain amaranth to find the best to grow in the relatively short growing season of Ontario. He’ll tell us about what’s been discovered so far\, and next steps for this versatile\, culturally significant crop.  \n  \n \nDr. Manish Raizada is a professor at the University of Guelph and his lab focuses on the discovery of beneficial microbes to help farmers grow sustainably\, and developing low-cost empowerment technologies for farmers internationally. He’s studied millets to discover beneficial endophytes\, and evaluated their use in Nepal and the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa. But what is the potential in Ontario? What can we learn from this crop?  \nRegister to learn from these farmers and researchers about specialty crops with potential to diversify the grain landscape in Ontario.  \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-specialty-grains/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/3-Feb-21.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240220T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240220T203000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20240207T182821Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240215T163935Z
UID:18680-1708455600-1708461000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK): An Introduction to Indigenous Science & Agroecology
DESCRIPTION:This webinar is part of EFAO’s Indigenous Outreach and Engagement Initiative\, which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Rural Affairs. \n*All Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this webinar free of charge! Please use the coupon code: TEK24 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission.  \nDo Indigenous People hold the key to climate resilience through agroecology? This webinar will explore using traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) to understand how Indigenous People see the everyday connections in a living world\, and why it matters for the health and future of the planet. \n  \nAbout the speaker: Celeste Smith (she/her) is Oneida from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and a seed steward\, traditional agriculturalist and former professor of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) at Niagara College. She is the Founder/Director of Cultural Seeds (culturalseeds.com) an Indigenous seed store/rematriation project and Ga Gitigemi Gamik (wewillplantlodge.com) an ecological centre on a permanent Indigenous stewarded site\, where women and 2SLGBTTQQIA+ persons can (RE)learn ancestral agricultural methods lost to colonization. \n  \nIn order to make our events accessible to all current and aspiring farmers in Ontario\, EFAO uses a “pay what you can” model. To register using this model\, please complete this form!
URL:https://efao.ca/event/traditional-ecological-knowledge/
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-3-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240214T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240214T140000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20240130T163944Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240131T192907Z
UID:18607-1707915600-1707919200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Small Grains Winter Webinar Series - Diverse Marketing Opportunities
DESCRIPTION:One of the questions most farmers have when contemplating growing small grains is: how will I market them? Are there ways to capture a premium on my crop? \n \nIn this session you’ll hear the story of two different businesses that make the most of grains. \nTyson Devitt grew up farming with his dad and brother\, and now his wife Angela is also on the team. In 2020\, Angela started a milling business\, stone-milling the grain they grow into high quality flour blends. Hear from both of them about how this innovation has impacted their business\, from seed to flour! \nDianne Wolters and Michelle Reilly are sisters who have both helped to build their family business\, Everspring Farms. \nEverspring specializes in sprouted grains and flours and work with over 30 different grains and seeds in their facilities located in Seaforth Ontario. As the second generation helping to build Everspring\, they are also the founders of the retail brand Second Spring Foods and the Sprouted Mill & Bakery to bring their diverse range of sprouted grains and flours to retail customers and their local community. \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-diverse-marketing-opportunities/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/2-Feb-14.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240208T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240208T190000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20240124T204422Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240131T204926Z
UID:18520-1707415200-1707418800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Getting Started with Meat Chickens
DESCRIPTION:This webinar is part of EFAO’s Indigenous Outreach and Engagement Initiative\, which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture\, Food and Rural Affairs. \n*All Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this webinar free of charge! Please use the coupon code: CHKN24 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission.  \nAre you interested in raising meat chickens for your family\, community\, or farm sales? Join Annette Peltier-Flamand\, Agricultural Resources Management Coordinator for Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory\, to learn how to get started. Topics will include set-up\, housing\, feeding and day-to-day care for raising meat chickens from chicks to maturity. Annette will also talk about the Artisanal Chicken Program with the Chicken Farmers of Ontario\, which enables Annette and her team to produce chicken for the Wiikwemkoong community.  \nWe will have a raffle at the end of the webinar\, where all participants present will have a chance to win a copy of the book: “Raising Amazing Chicks” by Dr. Scott Gillingham! \n  \nAbout the speaker: Annette Peltier-Flamand is from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory in northern Ontario. In 2020 Annette received her Horticulture Certificate and was offered employment as the Gardening Program Coordinator for Wiikwemkoong. She has now achieved her Horticulture Diploma and continues to work for Wiikwemkoong as the Agricultural Resources Management Coordinator. In addition to the gardening program\, she is responsible for the backyard chicken program\, food preservation education\, band garden management\, meat chicken initiative\, a beef cattle initiative\, community support services (assisting high school greenhouse) and other training opportunities. Annette is also a Master Gardener (Algoma group)\, board member of the Ecological Farmer’s Association of Ontario and a 4-H Leader. Annette was awarded an “Excellence in Agriculture” award by the Government of Ontario in November\, 2023. \n  \nIn order to make our events accessible to all current and aspiring farmers in Ontario\, EFAO uses a “pay what you can” model. To register using this model\, please complete this form!
URL:https://efao.ca/event/getting-started-with-meat-chickens/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Annette2-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240207T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240207T210000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20240129T200838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240129T200838Z
UID:18579-1707332400-1707339600@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: Marcelle Paulin\, Sleepy G Farm\, Karol Jung\, Nathan Kanasawe\, Buzwah Fisheries \n  
URL:https://efao.ca/event/hr-fundamentals/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/HR-Session-2-FEB-7-SQUARE.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240207T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240207T203000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20231030T150822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231030T150822Z
UID:17994-1707332400-1707337800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Marketing Strategies and Building Multiple Revenue Streams for the Farmers Market
DESCRIPTION:Join EFAO for an innovative day of marketing strategies and techniques! Come along on a journey of discovery of your strengths and assets as a farmer and how you can tell your story to your customer base. The webinar will cover topics such as value added\, building up your customer base\, engaging the consumer and building new revenue streams. April Parms Jones is a nationally known speaker on the topics of value added\, upselling and creating a market base for farmers. It will be a joyful\, fun and educating experience with a robust time for questions and answers. \nAbout the speaker: \nApril Parms Jones is originally from Akron\, Ohio and  advocates for her community as part of the food justice\, water access and the food sovereignty movement. She is passionate about community gardens\, farmer markets and creating a just food system. Having expertise in the role of farmers markets and in human elements of shifting the food system. She is a writer\, public speaker\, consultant\, blogger\, recipe developer\, book reviewer\, event planner and more. \nIn order to make our events accessible to all current and aspiring farmers in Ontario\, EFAO uses a “pay what you can” model. To register using this model\, please complete this form!
URL:https://efao.ca/event/marketing-strategies-april-jones/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/april-jones-article-e1698678315501.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240207T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240207T143000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20240110T164910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240125T194823Z
UID:18441-1707310800-1707316200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:CANOVI Farm Club: Carrot Breeding & Variety Trials
DESCRIPTION:CANOVI is the Canadian Organic Vegetable Improvement Project\, led by The Bauta Family Iniatiive on Canadian Seed Security in partnership with the Universit of British Columbia. CIOA is the Carrot Breeding for Organic Agriculture initiative led by the Organic Seed Alliance. \nCANOVI and CIOA are collaborators in carrot breeding and trialing\, and are proud to co-host this virtual event to talk about 2023 carrot trials across Canada and the USA\, as well as the plant breeding effort behind some of the trialed varieties. \nAt this event we’ll hear from Micalea Colley (Organic Seed Alliance)\, Phil Simons (US Dept. of Agriculture)\, and CANOVI Project Leads Weijia Wang and Chris Thoreau. Micaela and Phil will speak to the history of the OSA-bred carrot material\, and the CANOVI leads will share information and results of the 2023 cross-Canada trials for both orange and specialty carrots. \nThere will be lots of time reserved for discussion — a great opportunity to connect with other participating growers and share your experience.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/canovi-farm-club-carrots/
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/k8-GHRT9j21m2M-unsplash.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240205T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240205T203000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20240131T152556Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240131T160747Z
UID:18624-1707159600-1707165000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:On-Farm Climate Action Fund Information Session
DESCRIPTION:The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) is excited to continue delivering the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) to Ontario farmers. \nFarmers who are interested in learning more about the program can participate in a virtual information session co-hosted by OSCIA and EFAO. The first half of this session will provide an overview of the program\, with time for questions. The second half will walk through the application process in detail. You’re invited to participate in as much of the info session as you would like to attend. \nProgram information\, including the new program guide can be found at: Ontario On-Farm Climate Action Fund | OSCIA (ontariosoilcrop.org) \nThe intake will open to receive applications from February 13th 9am ET to February 27th 5pm ET\, 2024. \nPractices that will be supported under the program include in-field nitrogen management\, cover cropping practices\, and establishing or expanding rotational grazing systems: \n\nPlanting new acres of cover crops\, or leaving a cover crop over winter where it has always been terminated in the fall\nSetting up permanent perimeter and cross-fencing\, to establish new rotational grazing systems (fencing for silvopasture system can be an eligible expense)\nTrying dual action nitrogen stabilizers or organic amendments for the first time\n\n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/ofcaf-info-session/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Field-Good-Farms-scaled-e1706714718866.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240131T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240228T210000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20240129T164033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240130T142937Z
UID:18558-1706727600-1709154000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:NFU-O Presents: Cultivating Best Human Resource Practices on Small and Mid-scale Farms
DESCRIPTION:EFAO is pleased to be a supporting partner for this webinar series hosted by the National Farmers Union – Ontario! \nAre you thinking about hiring staff for your farm for the very first time? \n\n\nAre you looking for advice and support on how to train and manage your staff this growing season? \nJoin the NFU-O for a series of four 2-hour free online HR training modules\, where our team of agricultural HR experts will provide a crash course on best management practices.  \nJoin for one session\, or for all! \n  \nThe four sessions will cover: \n(1) Hiring and Incentives – Wednesday\, January 31st\, 7:00pm \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. \nFeaturing: \n\nIsabelle Rode\, Vintage Soil Farm\nAngie Koch\, Fertile Ground Farm\nErin Beagle\, Roots Community Food Centre\n\n  \n(2) HR Fundamentals – Wednesday\, February 7th\, 7:00pm \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. \nFeaturing: \n\nMarcelle Paulin\, Sleepy G Farm\nKarol Jung\nNathan Kanasawe\, Buzwah Fisheries\n\n  \n(3) Interpersonal Dynamics\, Training\, & Retention – Wednesday\, February 21st\, 7:00pm \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. \nFeaturing: \n\nClaire Perttula\nLeslie Moskovits\, Cedar Down Farm\nHannah Atkinson Renglich\nPaul Wartman\n\n  \n(4) Planning\, Task Management\, & Delegation – Wednesday\, February 28th\, 7:00pm \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. \nFeaturing: \n\nRyan Spence\, Field Good Farms\nDesmond Daley\nRenée Primeau\, Ferme Tourne-Sol\n\n\n\n\n\n  \nIn addition to hearing from our expert panelists\, participants will receive a variety of HR materials\, including: \n\nJob advertising and recruitment method tips\nHow-to-write job descriptions\nEmployee handbooks and orientation templates\nPayroll and wage templates\nScheduling and time-tracking templates\nGrants and cost-sharing tips\nAnd more!
URL:https://efao.ca/event/cultivating-best-hr-practices-2024/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/HR-Sessions-ALL-SQUARE-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240131T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240131T210000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20240129T195611Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240130T143523Z
UID:18573-1706727600-1706734800@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: Isabelle Rode\, Vintage Soil Farm\, Angie Koch\, Fertile Ground Farm and Erin Beagle\, Roots Community Food Centre \n  
URL:https://efao.ca/event/hiring-and-incentives/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/HR-Session-1-JAN-31-SQUARE.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240130T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240130T153000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20231213T181227Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231213T181227Z
UID:18364-1706623200-1706628600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Plant Breeding Projects Virtual Showcase
DESCRIPTION:Please join us for this mid-winter seed diversity celebration! Farmers from coast to coast will share about their on-farm plant breeding projects – from chard to zucchini\, tomatoes\, lettuce\, and more. This will be a fantastic opportunity to hear about the innovative and inspiring plant breeding work happening on organic and agro-ecological farms in Canada. \nSpeakers:  \n\nFiona Hamersley (Metchosin Seeds\, BC)\nCraig Boychuk (No Coast Seeds\, SK)\nDan Brisebois (Ferme Tournesol Farm QC)\nChris Sanford (Yonder Hill Farm\, NS).
URL:https://efao.ca/event/plant-breeding-projects-virtual-showcase/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2023-12-13-at-1.06.32-PM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240124T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240124T200000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20231004T210849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240115T210945Z
UID:17832-1706119200-1706126400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:The Graziers Tool Box
DESCRIPTION:  \nPerennial Pastures with Sarah Flack: Session Two\nThe “graziers tool box” includes using  livestock as well as other methods to improve pastures and avoid pasture pitfalls.  Topics will include stocking rate\, stock densities\, trampling\, variable regrowth periods\, post grazing residual\, variable pre grazing heights\, soil amendments\, seed and more. Each of these “tools” can be used to change the pasture plant species composition\, pasture productivity & quality\, soil health\, and livestock performance.   \nThere will be time for a break\, as well as to ask your grazing questions directly to Sarah during this webinar. \nThis is an excellent opportunity to learn from an expert for farmers who are familiar with managed grazing.. Note that Sarah Flack is doing a session on January 17th\, which will be more introductory than this session. You can attend either of both\, and do not need to attend the first to attend the second. \nAbout the speaker \nSarah is an author\, consultant\, and speaker who specializes in grass-based livestock farming systems. Sarah takes a practical approach in applying the science of agronomy and grazing\, combined with farm business planning\, to allow farmers to make well informed decisions.  Her goal is to help create more farms with successful grass-based management systems\, empowering farmers to create positive change for pastures\, soils\, livestock\, and farmers’ quality of life.  \nHer unique approach is based on what she learned while consulting\, teaching and writing on the topic over several decades. Sarah grew up on a family farm in Vermont after living in New Zealand for several years.  On the farm in Vermont\, her family used high stock density management intensive grazing to successfully improve the productivity and ecological health of the land and livestock. She later studied Holistic Planned Grazing\, Management Intensive Grazing and the science of pasture management in graduate school. Sarah works with beef\, sheep\, goat and dairy farmers including both organic and non-organic.  More recently\, Sarah’s focus has been working with 100% grass-fed dairy farmers and she has been participating in several research\, consulting and writing projects on that topic. \nSarah is author of The Art and Science of Grazing\,  Organic Dairy Production and co author of The Organic Dairy Handbook\, Vermont Grass-Based Beef Profitability: Lessons and Budgets\, and Transitioning to Organic Dairy and most recently\, The Grass-Based Dairy Production Manual as well as numerous articles. \nShe is passionate about helping farmers find ways to be financially viable while carefully stewarding their land and livestock.  She lives on the farm she grew up on where she is surrounded by pastures\, wetlands\, forests\, livestock and wildlife. \nThis event is held in partnership with Farmers for Climate Solutions \nThis event is an OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Grazing category. Questions about OFCAF should be directed to OFCAF@ontariosoilcrop.org. \nIn order to make our events accessible to all current and aspiring farmers in Ontario\, EFAO uses a “pay what you can” model. To register using this model\, please complete this form!
URL:https://efao.ca/event/session-two-the-graziers-tool-box/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Sarah-Flack-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240117T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240117T210000
DTSTAMP:20260410T112217
CREATED:20231004T210145Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240115T210905Z
UID:17827-1705514400-1705525200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Pastures from the Plant and Livestock Perspective
DESCRIPTION:Perennial Pastures with Sarah Flack: Session One\n\n  \nHow do perennial pasture plants grow both above and below ground\, and how do our grazing management decisions create more productive pastures with more high-quality forages.  This session will look at the practical application of basic guidelines of good grazing management and pasture ecosystem monitoring\, based on plant physiology and soil health.  We also need to understand the nutritional and behavioral needs of cows\, sheep\, and goats.  So this session will also delve into how to design grazing systems which make it easier to maximize pasture intake by the herd or flock\, while also improving plant and soil health. \nThere will be time for a break\, as well as to ask your grazing questions directly to Sarah during this webinar. \nThis is an excellent opportunity to learn from an expert for farmers who are thinking about getting into grazing\, as well as those who are more familiar. Note that Sarah Flack is doing a second session on January 24th which will build on this session. You can attend either of both\, and do not need to attend the first to attend the second. \nAbout the speaker \nSarah is an author\, consultant\, and speaker who specializes in grass-based livestock farming systems. Sarah takes a practical approach in applying the science of agronomy and grazing\, combined with farm business planning\, to allow farmers to make well informed decisions.  Her goal is to help create more farms with successful grass-based management systems\, empowering farmers to create positive change for pastures\, soils\, livestock\, and farmers’ quality of life.  \nHer unique approach is based on what she learned while consulting\, teaching and writing on the topic over several decades. Sarah grew up on a family farm in Vermont after living in New Zealand for several years.  On the farm in Vermont\, her family used high stock density management intensive grazing to successfully improve the productivity and ecological health of the land and livestock. She later studied Holistic Planned Grazing\, Management Intensive Grazing and the science of pasture management in graduate school. Sarah works with beef\, sheep\, goat and dairy farmers including both organic and non-organic.  More recently\, Sarah’s focus has been working with 100% grass-fed dairy farmers and she has been participating in several research\, consulting and writing projects on that topic. \nSarah is author of The Art and Science of Grazing\,  Organic Dairy Production and co author of The Organic Dairy Handbook\, Vermont Grass-Based Beef Profitability: Lessons and Budgets\, and Transitioning to Organic Dairy and most recently\, The Grass-Based Dairy Production Manual as well as numerous articles. \nShe is passionate about helping farmers find ways to be financially viable while carefully stewarding their land and livestock.  She lives on the farm she grew up on where she is surrounded by pastures\, wetlands\, forests\, livestock and wildlife. \nThis event is held in partnership with Farmers for Climate Solutions \nThis event is an OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Grazing category. Questions about OFCAF should be directed to OFCAF@ontariosoilcrop.org. \nIn order to make our events accessible to all current and aspiring farmers in Ontario\, EFAO uses a “pay what you can” model. To register using this model\, please complete this form!
URL:https://efao.ca/event/sarah_flack_session1/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Sarah-Flack-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR