BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//EFAO - ECPv6.14.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://efao.ca
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for EFAO
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Toronto
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251210T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251210T140000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20251103T152913Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251103T153809Z
UID:53018-1765371600-1765375200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Farmer-Led Research Program Office Hours
DESCRIPTION:It’s that time of year again—time to start shaping your questions and curiosities into research ideas!  \nEFAO research team will be holding open virtual office hours in December and January for prospective farmer-led research applicants to ask questions and discuss their applications. If you can not make these hours please feel free to schedule an appointment with one of our research team members. \n  \nContact for appointment at another time: \nSarah Larsen\, Research Director\, sarah@efao.ca \nRebecca Ivanoff\, Seed Program Manager\, rebecca@efao.ca \nJessica Gale\, Knowledge Mobilization Manager\, jessica@efao.ca
URL:https://efao.ca/event/research-office-hours-2025-1/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Virtual Meet-up
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/tools.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251202T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251204T170000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20251022T232645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T004830Z
UID:52900-1764664200-1764867600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:2025 EFAO Conference: Pathways to Prosperity
DESCRIPTION:EFAO’s Annual Conference draws farmers\, growers\, and food producers from across the food system for two days of intensive learning\, idea-sharing\, networking and celebration with good food and friends. With over 300 attendees\, the EFAO Conference connects you with people who care passionately about farming and food. \nThis year’s theme is inspired by the unique historical moment that we are all inhabiting: a time in which ecological farming is in some ways more mainstream than ever\, but in which economic circumstances\, world events\, and numerous other factors have combined to make many of us question the viability of food production as an occupation. This theme is also intended to reflect the truth that although the act of growing food in a way that acknowledges the entirety of ecology may be a very real challenge in this era\, there is still hope if we face these challenges collaboratively\, and that prosperity can come in many forms\, via many pathways. \nThis year’s program promises another wonderful event of over 35 sessions across three days. Join us for one\, two or all three days of the EFAO Conference! \nLearn more!
URL:https://efao.ca/event/2025-conference/
LOCATION:Four Points by Sheraton\, 1150 Wellington rd\, London\, ON\, N6E 1M3\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2025-10-22-at-7.22.10 PM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251201T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251201T123000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20251027T152546Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251028T184834Z
UID:52929-1764581400-1764592200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Research Symposium
DESCRIPTION:The Research Symposium is an online gathering where EFAO members share their findings and insights from the 2025 research season. \nThis year you will hear about multi-farm trials involved in the Living Lab-Ontario project\, including: \n\nNo-till potato using deep mulch\nPlant available nitrogen from cover crops\nNo-till winter squash with mulch\n\nAlong with farmer-led research projects focused on: \n\nLeaves as mulch\nPolycultures with cucumbers\nLandrace watermelon evaluation\nIntracanopy lighting for tomatoes\nLandrace maxima squash\nInterplanting with mushrooms\nLuffas growing methods\n\nFree admission to the research symposium is included with a pass to the 2025 Annual EFAO Conference. If you are interested in learning more and registering for this year’s gathering\, please visit the conference page.  \nIn 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 Pay What You Can model. To register please complete this form!
URL:https://efao.ca/event/farmer-led-research-symposium-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Virtual Meet-up
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1565-scaled-e1728476359432.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251126T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251126T203000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20251125T180704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251125T180704Z
UID:53233-1764183600-1764189000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:November BIPOC Farmers Network Meet-up
DESCRIPTION:Join the November BIPOC Farmer Meetup!  \nJoin us for a conversation with farmer Chadwick Lewis of Urban Fresh Produce\, who grows organic vegetables in Ottawa on land rented from the National Capital Commission. Originally from Saint Lucia\, Chadwick has been farming since 2015 and now runs Urban Fresh Produce with his family\, focusing on food security and community connection. \nChadwick will share about his first full season at his new farm\, followed by an open Q&A on production\, business skills\, land access\, urban markets\, and balancing farm and family life. \nBring a question you’re curious about. Possible topics: getting started on rented land\, seedling sales and community events\, prepping new land or building high tunnels\, cultural crop planning\, and managing time and workload. \nWith EFAO’s annual Conference next week\, we’ll also preview a few exciting highlights and share some upcoming grant funding programs! \nAll are welcome.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/november-bipoc-farmers-network-meet-up/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:BIPOC Farmers Network Meetup,Meet-up
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Chadwick-Lewis-Urban-Farm-Fresh-family-e1764093969114.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251126T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251126T130000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20251113T142502Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251113T142502Z
UID:53127-1764158400-1764162000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:November Seed Growers Meet-up
DESCRIPTION:Join the November Seed Grower Meetup!  \nAs the fields quiet down and the harvest season wraps up\, seed work is in full swing across Ontario. November is the perfect time to clean\, sort\, and store your seeds\, reflect on what this year’s crops have taught you\, and start dreaming about next year’s plantings. \nThis meetup comes just a week before the EFAO Conference\, which is packed with seed sessions—from participatory research and breeding workshops to seed swaps and networking with growers from across the province. It’s a great chance to connect with the community and get inspired before the conference frenzy! \nWhether you’re testing germination\, finishing seed cleaning\, or planning your next grow-outs\, this informal lunchtime gathering is the space to share your experiences\, ask questions\, and tap into the collective knowledge of Ontario’s seedkeepers. \nBring your lunch\, your stories\, and your curiosity. Everyone is welcome—EFAO members and non-members\, seasoned seed savers and those just starting out. \nLet’s celebrate the season’s harvest\, share what we’ve learned\, and keep growing stronger together.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/november-seed-growers-meet-up/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Virtual Meet-up
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3760-scaled-e1763043881823.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251117T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251117T143000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20251022T133919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251113T144052Z
UID:52874-1763384400-1763389800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:CANOVI heat tolerant lettuce trial: results and farm club
DESCRIPTION:This event is offered by the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security along with partners across the country\, including EFAO. \nAt the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security\, we work toward a future where farmers have the power to save\, improve\, and share the seeds they rely on. That means building a seed system rooted in genetic diversity\, regional adaptation\, and collective care. \nSeed systems are complex—shaped by geography\, labour\, economics\, policy\, and culture. They involve trade-offs. No single model is perfect. This series is about holding space for nuance\, highlighting under-recognized work\, and building shared understanding of the systems that feed us. \nWe invite you to join us—with curiosity and care—as we shine a light behind the packet. \n————————————— \nThis year marks the third and final season of CANOVI’s heat-tolerant lettuce variety trials! Growers across the country have shown strong interest not only in trialing lettuce\, but also in repeating trials over multiple years to better understand how varieties perform in an increasingly unpredictable climate. \nAt this CANOVI Farm Club\, we’ll share highlights from three years of trials from combining agronomic data\, weather trends\, and farmer experiences to paint a full picture of what we’ve learned. You’ll also hear insights from UBC researchers\, a geospatial mapping specialist\, and farmers who participated in the trials. \nWe’ll leave plenty of time for questions\, discussion\, and sharing your own trial results. Come ready to talk about which varieties worked best for you in your region.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/canovi-heat-tolerant-lettuce-trial/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/7.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251114T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251114T110000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20251022T141735Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T011402Z
UID:52881-1763114400-1763118000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Accessible Agriculture Project Overview & Feedback
DESCRIPTION:The Accessible Agriculture Project (AAP) is a new initiative the EFAO is developing alongside Accessibility Consultant Chris Lytle and the Centre for Community Based Research. The goal of the AAP is to learn about and test out how farming can become more accessible for workers with disabilities. AAP team members will host a one-hour webinar focused on building an agricultural sector that is inclusive of people with disabilities. At the webinar\, we will overview the project plan and discuss the legislative context. We will also have a discussion and launch a short survey to help us learn from farmers who have experienced injury and accessibility issues. \nIn its early stages of development\, the intention of AAP is to learn about how to make farming more inclusive and accessible as a means of livelihood for people with disabilities. Our aim is to compile evidence and information that will be of use to agricultural NGOs\, farms\, farmers\, and varying levels of government. To do so\, we hope to run accessibility workshops with EFAO members and have partnered with Heartwood Farm to explore innovative ways that accessibility can be reasonably implemented in a “pilot” project on-site. The intended outcome of this research is to build strategies for the development of accessible training\, best practices\, resources and practical work opportunities for people with disabilities.  As a partner in this project\, EFAO has been considering how farming communities can transform and be transformed by our evolving understanding of disability. The Centre for Community Based Research is also providing support as we develop the project and seek resources. As the project unfolds\, we hope to include in the project other agricultural and educational organizations\, technology firms\, and groups that represent people with disabilities.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/accessible-agriculture-project-overview-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2025-08-18-at-12.23.18 PM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251104T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251104T140000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250929T213258Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250929T213258Z
UID:22779-1762257600-1762264800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Facilitating Great (Farm) Team Meetings
DESCRIPTION:Meetings don’t have to be painful! Join this interactive session to learn how to plan\, structure and run a team meeting that is effective\, productive and joyful. \nIn this workshop\, guided by Maddie Marmor\, we will work through scenarios so that you leave equipped with practical skills to build morale and team cohesion on your farm. You will receive a template of how to run a meeting as well as tips and strategies to keep a meeting moving towards concrete and achievable next steps. Participants will gain insights from Nonviolent Communication practices\, facilitation training\, and other practical frameworks and strategies that support great teamwork and the efficiency that comes with solid communication. This session is back by popular demand after drawing a packed room at the 2024 EFAO conference. Even if you attended this session at the conference\, the online venue and new attendees will make for continued learning and discussion. \nMadeline Marmor is currently based in Tkaronto/Toronto and is a first generation\, landless farmer\, facilitator and Circle keeper. Having organized at the intersection of food\, land\, climate and justice for just under a decade\, Madeline works with other movement witches\, educators\, farmers and community hosts to hold space for the emergence of a just\, more equitable (food) future\, which she thinks is completely possible\, if not inevitable!
URL:https://efao.ca/event/facilitating-great-team-meetings-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/DSC_0371-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251029T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251029T130000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250929T214247Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250929T214247Z
UID:22785-1761739200-1761742800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:October Seed Growers Meet-up
DESCRIPTION:Join the October Seed Grower Meetup!  \nAutumn is here\, and seed season is shifting from field to table. Harvests are wrapping up\, seed is being threshed\, fermented\, and winnowed\, and jars and envelopes are starting to fill. It’s a time for finishing the field season’s work\, taking stock\, and reflecting on what this year’s crops have taught us. \nWhether you’re cleaning seed\, puzzling over germination tests\, or already thinking ahead to next year’s grow-outs\, this is the space to connect with fellow growers\, share your stories\, and ask questions. \nJoin us for this informal lunchtime meetup and tap into the collective knowledge of the seed community. We’ll talk about what’s coming in from the field\, how seed cleaning is going\, and what lessons are emerging as the season winds down. \nBring your lunch\, your seed stories\, and your curiosity. All are welcome—EFAO members and non-members\, experienced seedkeepers and newcomers alike! \nLet’s gather\, share in the harvest\, and keep growing stronger together.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/october-seed-growers-meet-up-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Virtual Meet-up
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/IMG_20150924_174239641-1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251028T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251028T163000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20251015T191603Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251015T191603Z
UID:52747-1761663600-1761669000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Behind the Packet: Open-Pollinated Seeds in Focus
DESCRIPTION:This event is offered by the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security along with partners across the country\, including EFAO. \nAt the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security\, we work toward a future where farmers have the power to save\, improve\, and share the seeds they rely on. That means building a seed system rooted in genetic diversity\, regional adaptation\, and collective care. \nSeed systems are complex—shaped by geography\, labour\, economics\, policy\, and culture. They involve trade-offs. No single model is perfect. This series is about holding space for nuance\, highlighting under-recognized work\, and building shared understanding of the systems that feed us. \nWe invite you to join us—with curiosity and care—as we shine a light behind the packet. \n————————————— \nOpen-pollinated (OP) seeds are foundational to seed sovereignty\, climate resilience\, and food systems grounded in place and culture. Valued for their adaptability\, complex flavours\, and the freedom they offer to save and share seed\, OP varieties remain essential tools for farmers and gardeners navigating a changing world. \nYet behind every thriving OP variety lies a network of dedicated producers\, often overlooked and under-supported. As seed companies increasingly pivot toward hybrid development and away from maintaining OP lines\, many tried-and-true varieties are being lost. Meanwhile\, the farmers and breeders who continue to steward these seeds—often informally or through grassroots networks—are not only preserving diversity but also creating the heirlooms of tomorrow. \nWho is ensuring that high-quality OP seed remains available? What does it take—biologically\, technically\, and economically—to produce and maintain these varieties year after year? Why are so many of them disappearing\, and what is at stake if they do? \nIn this webinar\, we’ll explore the complexities and urgency of open-pollinated seed production today. From the hands-on work of seed growers to the systemic forces shaping seed availability\, we’ll examine the barriers\, possibilities\, and values embedded in these seeds—and why their future matters to us all. \nSpeakers: \n\nLisa Mumm of Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds\nAaron Varadi of High Mowing\nEdmund Frost (Common Wealth Seed Growers and Twin Oaks Seed Farm)
URL:https://efao.ca/event/behind-the-packet-open-pollinated-seeds-in-focus/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/9.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251023T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251023T203000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250828T171612Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250828T171700Z
UID:22549-1761244200-1761251400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Exploring a New Enterprise Webinar Series with Ignatius Farm: Keeping Sheep
DESCRIPTION:If you live in northern Ontario\, you are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code SHEEPNORTH when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nAll Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code INDIG2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nThis webinar is part of the webinar series Exploring a New Enterprise with Ignatius Farm. \n\nWebinar Description:\nHave you been wanting to keep livestock?  How about sheep!  Join Brenda Hsueh as she talks us through starting a sheep farm\, the challenges and benefits.  Brenda and her family run Black Sheep Farm; an organic farm\, raising sheep on pasture for lamb meat\, fibre\, and tanned lambskins. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Brenda Hsueh\, Black Sheep Farm\, Chesley \nBlack Sheep Farm is an organic farm\, raising sheep on pasture for lamb meat\, fibre\, and tanned lambskins. The farm was started by Brenda Hsueh in 2009\, a Canadian-born Chinese woman\, who left a financial career in downtown Toronto to start farming. Eventually\, she met Skyler\, from the farm around the corner\, who took an interest in the sheep side of the farm and has been growing it ever since. Black Sheep Farm is an agroecological farm\, prioritizing soil health\, biodiversity\, and social justice. The sheep are grazed on pasture using intensive managed grazing\, to maximize the positive soil carbon capture benefits of ruminants\, while producing food and fibre from something humans can’t eat\, grass. \n  \nThis webinar is supported by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/exploring-a-new-enterprise-keeping-sheep/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Black-sheep-farm.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251021T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251021T170000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250828T171032Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250911T132729Z
UID:22545-1761058800-1761066000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Exploring a New Enterprise Webinar Series with Ignatius Farm: Starting a Value-added Enterprise
DESCRIPTION:If you live in northern Ontario\, you are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code VALNORTH when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nAll Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code INDIG2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nThis webinar is part of the webinar series Exploring a New Enterprise with Ignatius Farm. \n\nWebinar Description:\nAre you considering adding value added products to your inventory? Want to hear from farmers that have taken the leap? Join us for this panel discussion where we will hear from 3 farmers who produce value added products; what do they produce\, how did they start out\, and what advice would they give to those in the planning stages. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nPanelists: Steve D’Alimonte\, Picollo Farm Organics\, Guelph; Xiaobing Shen\, Long Road Eco Farm; TBA \nPiccolo Farm Organics (PFO) is owned and operated by Steve D’Alimonte & Lisa Lopez in the backyard of their property in Guelph. On a quarter of an acre\, PFO aims to demonstrate that by using non-mechanized and regenerative farming methods\, food can be flavourful and healthy to both people and planet. PFO is also a celebration of heritage by showing that culturally specific vegetable varieties from around the world can and should be grown locally. PFO primarily grows Italian varieties of vegetables or vegetables commonly used in Italian cuisine. They also offer focaccia\, pasta and sauces made with ingredients grown on the farm. \n  \nIn 2013\, Xiaobing Shen and his then partner Jonathon Davies started Long Road Eco-Farm\, a small\, mixed\, ecologically-run farm business raising livestock and growing specialty crops like ginger and garlic. Farm Sum Food is a key part of their business. They produce prepared peasant-style Chinese steamed buns\, dumplings\, and ferments with organically produced pork\, eggs\, vegetables and herbs from their farm\, and sell at Memorial Centre Farmers Market. Farm tours\, forest walks\, and popular cooking classes are also part of their offering to the community. \n  \nThis webinar is supported by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/exploring-a-new-enterprise-value-added/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-design.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251018T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251018T160000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20251007T133333Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251007T133333Z
UID:22856-1760781600-1760803200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Work Bee at Waxwing Commons
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a day of community\, connection\, and hands-on learning at Waxwing Commons Ecological Farmstead in Timmins\, Ontario. Situated on 115 acres\, Waxwing Commons is a growing ecological farmstead dedicated to regenerative agriculture\, biodiversity\, and community resilience. This Work Bee is an opportunity to gather on the land\, spend a full day outdoors\, and contribute to the ongoing work of stewarding an ecological farm. \nWhat to Expect\nTogether we’ll roll up our sleeves and get important seasonal tasks done: managing compost\, preparing garden beds for next season\, planting garlic\, harvesting rose hips\, and mulching in the food forest. It’s meaningful work that supports the health of the land and provides a chance to learn new skills alongside fellow farmers\, gardeners\, and community members. \nLunch will be provided – catered by Radical Gardens\, featuring a delicious meal cooked over the fire. \nImportant Note on Participation:\nThis is a hands-on\, labour-intensive work bee. Tasks will involve lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds\, digging\, mulching\, and working with hand tools outdoors for several hours. Participants should be prepared for physical farm work and come dressed and ready for the day. \nWhat to Bring\n\nProper work clothing and sturdy footwear\nWork gloves (recommended)\nA refillable water bottle (a refill station will be available)\nRain gear if the forecast calls for it (the event runs rain or shine; we’ll gather in the prospector tent for shelter if needed)\n\nFood\, water\, and snacks are provided. Come ready to learn\, contribute\, and share in the spirit of community while supporting a local ecological farm! \nSpeakers:\nMike Degagne is a proud Métis-Algonquin father of four and co-owner of Waxwing Commons Ecological Farmstead\, a 115-acre off-grid farm near Timmins\, Ontario. Drawing on his background in carpentry\, cooperative development\, and equitable housing and energy projects\, Mike brings a practical\, systems-based lens to ecological farming. At Waxwing Commons\, he oversees infrastructure\, livestock\, and product development for a diversified operation that produces pastured pork\, poultry\, and meat rabbits\, along with beeswax and tallow skincare\, gourmet finishing salts\, fire cider\, and wild tea blends — all made from ingredients grown or foraged on the farm. Mike also co-manages The Commons Makers Co-op\, a collaborative retail and community space that connects northern Ontario farmers\, food producers\, and artisans through shared marketing\, mentorship\, and cooperative business models. \n  \nRachel Lachance is the co-owner of Waxwing Commons Ecological Farmstead\, a 115-acre off-grid farm in Timmins\, Ontario\, where she and her family raise pastured livestock\, grow herbs\, and craft beeswax- and tallow-based skincare and wild-foraged products. Her work integrates regenerative agriculture\, ecological design\, and land-based education to strengthen northern food systems. In addition to running the farm\, Rachel serves as the Northern Events and Outreach Manager for the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO). In this role\, she creates opportunities for northern and Indigenous farmers to learn\, share knowledge\, and build community through workshops\, field days\, and the annual conference. Rachel’s work bridges ecological farming\, cooperative enterprise\, and education—supporting a vision of resilient\, place-based economies and shared stewardship of the land.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/workbee-waxwing-commons/
LOCATION:Waxwing Commons\, 1325 Mahoney Road North\, Timmins\, Ontario\, P4R 0H6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Field Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/IMG_8251-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251016T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251016T203000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250828T170243Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250903T130735Z
UID:22541-1760639400-1760646600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Exploring a New Enterprise Webinar Series with Ignatius Farm: Beekeeping 101
DESCRIPTION:If you live in northern Ontario\, you are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code BEENORTH when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nAll Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code INDIG2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nThis webinar is part of the webinar series Exploring a New Enterprise with Ignatius Farm. \n\nWebinar Description:\nInterested in beekeeping? Join Ron to learn about the basics of keeping bees\, what you need to get started and some common challenges for beginners. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Ron St Louis\, Capital Bees\, Ottawa \nRon is a member of Dokis First Nation in northern Ontario\, currently living in Ottawa and operating his business\, Capital Bees\, at the Just Food Farm. He has been keeping bees since 2011 and teaching a hands-on\, natural beekeeping program since 2015. He is a registered beekeeper and breeds bees to be resistant to pests and diseases and has been a member of the Ontario Resistant Honey Bee Selection program (ORHBS) since 2017. \n  \nThis webinar is supported by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/exploring-a-new-enterprise-beekeeping-101/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Bees-close-up.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251009T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251009T170000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250828T165531Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250828T165647Z
UID:22535-1760022000-1760029200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Exploring a New Enterprise Webinar Series with Ignatius Farm: Starting a Winter CSA
DESCRIPTION:If you live in northern Ontario\, you are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code CSANORTH when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nAll Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code INDIG2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nThis webinar is part of the webinar series Exploring a New Enterprise with Ignatius Farm. \n\nWebinar Description:\nAre you thinking about shifting to a winter CSA model? Hear from Marcelle and Brendan on how they started their winter CSA and how it was a game changer for their farm profitability. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeakers: Brendan Grant & Marcelle Paulin\, Sleepy G Farm\, Pass Lake \nSince 2010\, Brendan and Marcelle have been operating Sleepy G Farm in Pass Lake\, ON\, 45km east of Thunder Bay. They grow 8 acres of Certified Organic vegetables and distribute through a 200-member CSA program in addition to wholesaling to grocery stores.  Sleepy G Farm also produces eggs and beef as a complement to nearly year-round vegetables sales that are made possible by an on-farm winter vegetable storage facility. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how they have turned a 171 acre abandoned dairy farm in northwestern Ontario into a thriving\, diversified farm business and the infrastructure they’ve put in place to support their operations. \n  \nThis webinar is supported by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/exploring-a-new-enterprise-starting-a-winter-csa/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/peter-wendt-r5KSMkyoSc-unsplash.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251008T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251008T163000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20251002T195253Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251002T195410Z
UID:22808-1759935600-1759941000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Behind the Packet: The Hidden Worlds of Hybrid Seeds
DESCRIPTION:This event is offered by the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security along with partners across the country\, including EFAO. \nAt the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security\, we work toward a future where farmers have the power to save\, improve\, and share the seeds they rely on. That means building a seed system rooted in genetic diversity\, regional adaptation\, and collective care. \nSeed systems are complex—shaped by geography\, labour\, economics\, policy\, and culture. They involve trade-offs. No single model is perfect. This series is about holding space for nuance\, highlighting under-recognized work\, and building shared understanding of the systems that feed us. \nWe invite you to join us—with curiosity and care—as we shine a light behind the packet. \n————————————— \nBehind the Packet: The Hidden Worlds of Hybrid Seeds\nIt may be that many growers don’t think deeply about the seeds we plant—but behind each packet lies a complex web of decisions\, relationships\, and global infrastructure. \nThis conversation dives into the world of hybrid seed production\, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how hybrid seeds are grown\, who produces them\, and what that means for farmers\, biodiversity\, and seed sovereignty. \nHybrid seeds can offer significant benefits\, especially in certain farming contexts. But they’re also part of a broader system that relies on intensive labour\, specialized technologies\, and globalized supply chains. We’ll explore how these seeds are produced—from hand pollination in crops like squash\, peppers\, and tomatoes\, to the increasing use of genetic tools—and why much of this work is concentrated in specific regions of the world. \nThis webinar is an invitation to think more critically and curiously about the origins of our hybrid seed and what a more transparent\, just\, and regionally resilient seed system could look like. \nThis webinar features Adrienne Shelton of Enza Zaden\, who brings expertise from her work with one of the world’s leading vegetable seed companies\, and Jason Cavatorta\, Plant Breeder and Research Director at EarthWork Seeds\, LLC\, where he develops high-yielding\, flavourful varieties with strong disease resistance and adaptability\, with a focus on solanaceous and cucurbit crops. Together\, they’ll share insights from their experiences in hybrid seed breeding and production\, offering participants a rare look into the decisions\, practices\, and global networks that shape the seeds we grow. \nPresentations will be in English with translated slides in French.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/behind-the-packet-2025/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Virtual Meet-up
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Seed-Webinars-Facebook.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251008T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251008T140000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250922T200815Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251007T134130Z
UID:22691-1759928400-1759932000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Ajax Indigenous Healing and Community Garden Tour
DESCRIPTION:If you are an Indigenous grower\, land steward or community member\, you are welcome to attend this field day free of charge! Please use the coupon code GARDEN2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nJoin Chef Johl Whiteduck for a tour of the Indigenous Community & Healing Garden at Ajax Pickering Lakeridge Hospital. Created through a collaboration between Miinikaan Innovation & Design\, Elder Kim Wheatley\, We Grow Food\, the Town of Ajax\, and the hospital\, this unique space was designed as a place of healing\, learning\, and community connection. \nThe garden features a central circular design with raised demonstration beds and “grandfather stones\,” honouring Indigenous teachings of the circle and the interconnectedness of community. Plantings include the Three Sisters—corn\, beans\, and squash—alongside seasonal vegetables\, fruit-bearing trees and shrubs\, and plants with ceremonial or medicinal value. Every element of the design is intentional\, reflecting Indigenous storytelling\, history\, and ceremony. \nGuided by Elder Kim Wheatley\, who continues to provide traditional oversight\, and with support from We Grow Food to help with planting and training\, the garden also contributes to local food security by making fresh produce accessible to community members. By establishing this space on hospital grounds\, it sets a precedent for how Indigenous design and knowledge can be integrated into community health and well-being. \nDetails:\n\nTour runs rain or shine.\nDress comfortably and be prepared to walk.\n\nSpeaker:\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. \nThis event 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/healing-and-community-garden-tour/
LOCATION:Ajax Pickering Lakeridge Hospital\, 580 Harwood Ave S\, Ajax\, Ontario\, L1S 2J4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Field Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2025-09-22-at-10.13.08 AM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251007T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251007T170000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250828T153234Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250828T170343Z
UID:22527-1759849200-1759856400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Exploring a New Enterprise Webinar Series with Ignatius Farm: Growing Indoor Mushrooms
DESCRIPTION:If you live in northern Ontario\, you are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code MUSHNORTH when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nAll Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code INDIG2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nThis webinar is part of the webinar series Exploring a New Enterprise with Ignatius Farm. \n\nWebinar Description:\nAre you curious about growing mushrooms indoors on a commercial scale? Ugly Barn Farms grows several kinds of mushrooms in their indoor facility\, which is heated by renewable materials. Hear about how they got started and what it takes to grow mushrooms indoors. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Ivan Vincent\, Ugly Barn Farm\, Markstay \nUgly Barn Farm is a small family farm based in northern Ontario and one of the first\, year-round mushroom facilities in the north. At the Ugly Barn Farm\, Ivan and Brittany specialize in gourmet mushrooms\, cultivated in their mushroom growing facility\, heated by renewable materials. They produce their mushrooms without the use of pesticides and source as much material locally as possible. They are also passionate in wildcrafted foods like blueberries\, fiddleheads\, spruce buds\, and of course mushrooms! \n  \n  \nThis webinar is supported by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/exploring-a-new-enterprise-mushrooms/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/104277327_4228106343874134_8071495015502706607_o.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251004T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251004T113000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250923T134807Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250923T134807Z
UID:22704-1759570200-1759577400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Harvest & Healing: Community Garden Harvest & Sweetgrass Mist Workshop
DESCRIPTION:This event is hosted in partnership between the King Heritage & Cultural Centre\, Roots and Raven\, and EFAO.  \nCome together for a morning of reflection and connection as we harvest\, learn\, and create in community. \nFrom 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM\, connect with community members as we harvest plants and seeds from the King Heritage & Cultural Centre’s Indigenous Medicine Garden. Then\, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM\, take part in a hands-on workshop led by Indigenous Garden coordinator and Founder of Roots+Raven: Tanya Gluvakov\, to create your own sweetgrass infusion mist. \n\nFree of charge\nRain or shine\nAll materials provided\n\nAll are welcome!  \nPre-Registration is Required. Register here at the King Heritage & Cultural Centre website\, or click on the “register” button above. \n  \nThis event 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/harvest-and-healing/
LOCATION:King Heritage & Cultural Centre\, 2920 King Road\, King City\, Ontario\, L7B 1L6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Field Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/IMG_5421-1.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251002T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251002T170000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250828T125344Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250828T153326Z
UID:22516-1759417200-1759424400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Exploring a New Enterprise Webinar Series with Ignatius Farm: Starting a Flower Farm
DESCRIPTION:If you live in northern Ontario\, you are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code FLOWNORTH when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nAll Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code INDIG2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nThis webinar is part of the webinar series Exploring a New Enterprise with Ignatius Farm. \n\nWebinar Description:\nLocal and ecological flowers are a high valuable crop to grow and are more and more popular over the conscious consumers. Join us for this webinar where we discuss how to efficiently and successfully begin growing or add floral crops to your current production system\, using ecological growing practices. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Theresa Schumilas\, Garden Party Flower Farm\, St. Agatha Theresa owns Garden Party Flower Farm\, a 4 acre specialty cut flower farm outside of Kitchener-Waterloo\, where she has farmed organically for over 30 years. She completed her PhD in economic geography at the University of Waterloo in 2014\, followed by postdoctoral studies in the digitization of food and farming systems\, at the Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems. \n  \n  \nThis webinar is supported by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/exploring-a-new-enterprise-flower-farm/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/khara-woods-WsUB9nalhfk-unsplash.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251001T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251001T140000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250922T182910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250929T212424Z
UID:22682-1759312800-1759327200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Culture Camp Tour with Johl Whiteduck
DESCRIPTION:If you are an Indigenous grower\, land steward or community member\, you are welcome to attend this field day free of charge! Please use the coupon code CAMP2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nJoin Chef Johl Whiteduck for a guided tour of the Mashkode Bizhikiins Culture Camp\, where teachings of the four elements – Earth\, Air\, Water\, and Fire – are shared through story\, land connection\, and food. \nThe day will begin with a circle gathering beneath the quaking aspens for traditional introductions and smudging. From there\, participants will take part in a medicine walk\, learning to identify several native plant and tree species along the trail. At a tamarack forest\, Chef Johl will demonstrate how to respectfully harvest tamarack bark for medicine. The tour continues back through the rain garden before arriving at the Sacred Fire cooking place. Together\, we’ll prepare tea from the medicines gathered on the walk and share a traditional NishDish meal. \nThe feast will include venison stew\, wild rice*\, Three Sisters stew*\, wild berry crumble*\, and beverages (coffee\, tea\, water). (*Vegan and gluten-free options). \nThis immersive experience offers an introduction to Anishinaabe foodways\, medicines\, and teachings while fostering a deeper connection to land and community. \nDetails:\n\nPlease wear long pants and sturdy walking shoes or boots.\nThe event runs rain or shine (meals will move indoors if needed).\n\nSpeaker:\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. \nThis event 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/culture-camp-tour/
LOCATION:Mashkode Bizhikiins Culture Camp\, 1419 Post Road\, Lindsay\, Ontario\, K0L 2X0\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Field Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/1000008755.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250929T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250929T180000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250912T133902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T182033Z
UID:22622-1759161600-1759168800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Seed Saving at Shelldale Park
DESCRIPTION:Want to save seeds? Join Lisa as she walks us through knowing what plants to save seed from\, when seeds are ready to be harvested\, common ways to dry and clean seeds as well as the best ways to store them. Come learn and share your knowledge about how to grow and save seeds from vegetables and herbs so that we have seeds to plant next year that not only tastes great but are adapted to grow well in our community gardens! \nBring your own seeds to show or share with the group and work together to learn how to best clean them for storage. \nThis event is run by Ignatius Farm in partnership with EFAO and registration is being run through their website. \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Farm Educator\, Ignatius Farm
URL:https://efao.ca/event/seed-saving-shelldale/
LOCATION:Shelldale Farm Park
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Post-Oct-8-Seed-Saving-at-Shelldale-1-e1757684160295.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250925T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250925T203000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250903T130432Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250903T130432Z
UID:22574-1758825000-1758832200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Exploring a New Enterprise Webinar Series with Ignatius Farm: Growing Medicinal Herbs
DESCRIPTION:If you live in northern Ontario\, you are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code HERBNORTH when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nIf you identify as an Indigenous grower\, land steward or community member\, you are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code INDIG2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nThis webinar is part of the webinar series Exploring a New Enterprise with Ignatius Farm. \n\nWebinar Description:\nJoin Shabina as she shares her experience with  growing herbs for medicine and tea. How is growing herbs different from vegetables\, harvest and drying techniques\, as well as tips and tricks she has found useful. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Shabina Lafleur-Gangji\, co-director of Seed\, Soil and Spirit School\, Guelph \nShabina is a mixed Indian\, Persian\, and French herbalist who has been involved in healing justice work last decade. She works to support people in reclaiming their traditional knowledge through their connection with ancestral plants and has used herbal medicine as a way to fundraise for movements for freedom and liberation. She holds an advanced diplomat from Humber College’s Traditional Chinese Practition and Acupuncture Program and is a graduate of the the School of Ayurveda and Panchakarma in Kerala and the Living Earth School of Herbalism. She has studied alongside herbalists such as Dr. Nadine Ijaz\, Janette Cormier\, Scott Reid and Janice Canning. \n  \nThis webinar is supported by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/exploring-a-new-enterprise-growing-medicinal-herbs/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/nettle-1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250925T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250925T130000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250911T162933Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250911T162933Z
UID:22611-1758801600-1758805200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:September Seed Growers Meet-up
DESCRIPTION:Join the September Seed Grower Meet-up!  \nAs summer fades and autumn approaches\, seed crops are reaching maturity. Plants are drying down\, pods are splitting\, and harvests are in full swing. It’s a season of gathering—bringing in seeds\, taking notes\, and beginning the work of cleaning\, drying\, and storing. \nWhether you’re threshing beans\, saving tomato seed\, or puzzling over the best way to dry down your harvest\, this is the space to connect with fellow growers\, share your experiences\, and ask questions. \nJoin us for this informal lunchtime meet-up and tap into the collective knowledge of the seed community. We’ll talk about what’s ready to harvest\, what challenges are showing up\, and what this season is teaching us. \nBring your lunch\, your seed stories\, and your curiosity. All are welcome—EFAO members and non-members\, experienced seedkeepers and newcomers alike! \nLet’s gather\, celebrate the season’s abundance\, and keep growing stronger together.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/sept-seed-growers-meet-up/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Virtual Meet-up
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/20240920_115542-e1757608001799.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250923T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250923T203000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250828T124521Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T143258Z
UID:22512-1758652200-1758659400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Exploring a New Enterprise Webinar Series with Ignatius Farm: Pastured Poultry Production
DESCRIPTION:If you live in northern Ontario\, you are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code POULNORTH when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. All Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code INDIG2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. This webinar is part of the webinar series Exploring a New Enterprise with Ignatius Farm. \n\nWebinar Description:\nAre you thinking of starting out with pasture raised poultry? Join Eric as he takes us through both the set up and day to day activities of pasture raised chickens as well as the business side of marketing and distribution. A recording of this webinar will be available. Speaker: Eric Blondin\, Three Forks Farm\, Gore Bay Eric 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.With 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.   This webinar is supported by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/exploring-a-new-enterprise-pastured-poultry/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/three-forks-1-475x277-1-e1758551535118.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250919T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250919T150000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250818T162656Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250904T135057Z
UID:22456-1758286800-1758294000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Building Soil and Community at Cedar Down Farm
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an afternoon at Cedar Down Farm for in-depth farm tour and a close look at their trials with raised\, permanent vegetable beds and the critical role of cover crops in this practice. \nSince 2010\, Leslie Moskovits and Jeff Boesch (and their incredible team) have been growing vegetables for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) at Cedar Down Farm. As farmers\, they aim to steward land and community\, protect soil health and biodiversity\, minimize their ecological footprint while bringing health and joy. Cedar Down Farm feeds over 200 families per season\, while still prioritizing healthy relationships with the land and community. Participants will have the chance to see how this farm is a reflection of the real lives of the farmers who tend the land – from soil health\, to labour strategy\, marketing and production practices – it is all connected to relationships. \nThis event is also offered in partnership with the Farmers for Climate Solutions’ Farm Resilience Mentorship Program (FaRM) and with support from the On-Farm Climate Action Fund. Additional resources can be found in the FaRM Learning Hub.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/building-soil-and-community-at-cedar-down-farm-2025/
LOCATION:Cedar Down Farm\, 222145 Concession 14\, RR#1\, Neustadt\, ON\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Field Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2025-08-18-at-12.23.18 PM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250918T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250918T203000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250826T172238Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250826T172238Z
UID:22505-1758220200-1758227400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Exploring a New Enterprise Webinar Series with Ignatius Farm: Pasture-raised Pork
DESCRIPTION:If you live in northern Ontario\, you are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code PORKNORTH when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nAll Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code INDIG2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nThis webinar is part of the webinar series Exploring a New Enterprise with Ignatius Farm. \n\nWebinar Description:\nMany consumers are drawn to the health benefits and premium quality of pasture raised meats – both excellent reasons to raise animals on grass. Join Josh for this discussion about how he got started and what it takes to successfully raise pasture pork. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Joshua Noiseux\, Evermeadow Farm\, Cobourg \nJoshua Noiseux is a philosopher ecologist with “boots on the ground”.  After years in academia\, studying the philosophy and political theory of ecology and agency\, Josh put his PhD thesis on on hold to start Evermeadow Farm in 2020. He holds an MA in political and cultural theory and has worked in diverse trades\, including gold exploration and arboriculture.  Now a respected voice in the regenerative agriculture space\, Josh has guest lectured at Ivey Business School\, Trent and Queen’s Universities\, and presented at numerous conferences and panels\, including with the Ecologicial Farmer’s of Ontario (EFAO) and the National Farmers Union (NFU).  Entering his 5th year at the helm of Evermeadow\, Josh is looking forward to further actualizing his vision of landscape scale ecological restoration\, and deepening community resilience through the marriage of environmental conservation and agricultural production. \n  \nThis webinar is supported by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario. \n \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/pasture-raised-pork-2025/
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-1-4.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250916T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250916T203000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250826T170515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250826T170548Z
UID:22470-1758047400-1758054600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Exploring a New Enterprise Webinar Series with Ignatius Farm: Starting a Seed Production Enterprise
DESCRIPTION:If you live in northern Ontario\, you are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code SEEDNORTH when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nAll Indigenous growers\, land stewards and community members are welcome to attend this workshop free of charge – please use the coupon code INDIG2025 when filling out the registration form to receive free admission. \nThis webinar is part of the webinar series Exploring a New Enterprise with Ignatius Farm. \n\nWebinar Description:\nAre you considering saving and selling seeds as part of your farm business? Hear how Peggy from Three Forks Farm got started and her advice on how to start a seed production business. A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Peggy Baillie\, Three Forks Farm\, Gore Bay \nPeggy Baillie and Eric Blondin 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.With 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. \n  \nThis webinar is supported by funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario. \n \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/enterprise-seed-production/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/IMG_4836_Original-1024x768-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250903T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250903T120000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250813T153158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T165521Z
UID:22440-1756891800-1756900800@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Growing Organic Seed Potatoes at Ellenberger Organic Farm
DESCRIPTION:Organic potato production is one of the most challenging undertakings for farmers. Yields typically reach 50 to 65% of those achieved conventionally. The barriers are many: nitrogen deficiency\, persistent pest pressure—particularly from the Colorado potato beetle—and a range of diseases including scab\, rhizoctonia\, viruses\, and late blight.  \nEllenberger Organic Farm stands out as a beacon of resilience and innovation in this field. As the only organic seed potato producer in Ontario—and one of the few across Canada—this mixed farm operation offers a rare window into what it takes to produce quality organic seed. With over two decades of experience\, Henry Ellenberger cultivates 8 to 10 potato varieties across five acres of sandy\, rocky loam\, supplying over 200 organic growers and gardeners annually. \nAt this field day\, Henry will share the practical strategies\, insights\, and cautionary tales he’s learned over the years. He’ll cover the critical steps needed to maintain production and healthy seed under organic management—including choosing the right varieties\, managing disease pressure\, and preparing for CFIA seed certification. \nHe’ll be joined by Hugo Martorell (SeedChange)\, who led the recent publication of an organic potato breeding guide in Quebec. Together\, they’ll explore how regionally adapted\, early-maturing\, and disease-resistant varieties can improve resilience and productivity in low-input systems. \nTopics include: \n\nKey traits to prioritize when selecting organic potato varieties\nWhere and how to access varieties and clean nuclear stock\nStep-by-step guide to CFIA seed certification (disinfection\, bacterial ring rot sampling\, on-farm inspections)\nHow to manage seed classes in the field and in the warehouse \nField-based techniques to detect and rogue infected plants early\nThe economics of small-scale seed potato production and marketing \n\nWhether you’re a new grower considering potato seed production or an experienced farmer refining your approach\, this event offers a chance to learn from one of Canada’s most seasoned organic seed potato producers. \nPlease note that participants are welcome to bring their own lunch to picnic at the farm and will be required to wash shoes before touring. Please wear shoes that have not recently been in other potato or tomato fields. \nThis event is hosted in partnership with the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security (SeedChange).
URL:https://efao.ca/event/ellenberger-organic-farm-2025/
LOCATION:Ellenberger Organic Farm\, 1607 The Ridge Rd\, Coe Hill\, Ontario\, K0L 1P0\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Field Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2025-08-13-at-11.23.23 AM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250829T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250830T163000
DTSTAMP:20260509T020203
CREATED:20250808T190915Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250811T133159Z
UID:22429-1756494000-1756571400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Seeds of Change: Discussion and Tour
DESCRIPTION:This event is hosted by Lakehead University’s Sustainable Food Systems Lab in partnership with the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario\, Roots Community Food Centre\, Superior Seed Producers\, Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority\, Lake Superior Living Labs Network\,  Understanding Our Food Systems\, the Food Action Network of Northwestern Ontario\, Gaia Organic Seeds\, and Root Cellar Gardens. \nJoin local seed producers\, researchers\, and gardeners for part (or all!) of this 2-day event celebrating our community and collective ability to protect our seeds\, grow food and community\, and learn together. \n  \nFriday August 29\, 7:00pm to 8:30pm: Local to Global Perspectives on Seed Sovereignty Panel Discussion (online\, or in-person) \nJoin us for a roundtable discussion exploring the vital role that seeds play in food systems\, culture\, and sovereignty. Speakers will weave together stories\, struggles\, and strategies from across Ontario\, Indigenous territories and global movements including the upcoming Nyéléni Food Sovereignty Forum. From the ground beneath our feet to international efforts for seed justice\, this discussion connects diverse voices committed to protecting and reclaiming seeds and our food systems for future generations. \nYou are welcome to watch the panel in person at Roots Community Food Centre (450 Ft. William Rd\, Thunder Bay) or join online! A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants.  \n  \nSaturday August 30\, 10:00am – 4:30pm: Field Tours and Watermelon Tasting (in person) \nThis Saturday event will begin at Roots Community Food Centre Lillie Street Garden at 125 Lillie St.\, Thunder Bay at 10:00am. Field tours will conclude at Root Cellar Gardens in South Gillies at 3:30pm. Return to Lillie Street Garden by 4:30pm. Please indicate when registering if you require transportation.   \nJoin us for a day of celebrating and exploring what happens when diverse seeds and people come together. Learn about ongoing collaborative projects to grow various crops that thrive in our region and why this work is so important. See these adapting crops in three locations (Roots Community Food Centre’s Lillie Street garden\, Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station\, and Root Cellar Gardens). Be a part of the breeding process by tasting locally grown watermelons and helping select which seeds to save and replant next year.  \nSnacks will be provided\, but participants are advised to bring a lunch and a water bottle. This event will take place rain or shine\, so dress for the weather!  \n \nAlso…find us at the Hymers Fall Fair on Sunday August 31 and Monday September 1\, 2025! Stop by our booth to say “hi”\, taste some watermelon and take one home\, have your say in the collaborative adaptive breeding project. (Note: There is an admission fee of $10 to the Hymers Fall Fair.) 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/seeds-of-change/
LOCATION:Multiple Venues
CATEGORIES:Field Day,Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/IMG_2235-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR