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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for EFAO
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DTSTART:20240310T070000
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DTSTART:20241103T060000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240415T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240415T163000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183018
CREATED:20240401T153739Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240401T153739Z
UID:19247-1713191400-1713198600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Farm Workers Rights and Responsibilities
DESCRIPTION:Did you know that farm worker rights differ from general employee rights? Many new farm workers are uninformed about their rights and responsibilities. This webinar will clarify the different rights and responsibilities relating to working on Ontario farms.   \nA recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeakers: Hannah Kaya & El Cyr \n \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/farm-workers-rights-and-responsibilities-2/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/farmworkers-rights-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240412T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240412T163000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183018
CREATED:20240402T202409Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240402T202409Z
UID:19243-1712932200-1712939400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Identifying and Controlling Insect Pests
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.  \nUnfortunately we are not the only ones who find our crops tasty!  There is a whole world of insects that find our crops delicious or a great home.  This webinar gives you a basic understanding of the role of insects in agriculture and how to manage pests throughout the growing season.   A recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Farm Educator\, Ignatius Farm
URL:https://efao.ca/event/identifying-and-controlling-insect-pests-2024/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/pest-management.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240412T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240412T163000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183018
CREATED:20240401T153714Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240401T153714Z
UID:19239-1712932200-1712939400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Botany for Farmers and Gardeners
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.  \nThis webinar will provide an introduction to botany for gardeners\, farmers\, and foodies. Topics will include vegetable classification and why this is important\, parts of a plant\, pollination and common pests and diseases.   \nA recording of this webinar will be available. \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Farm Educator\, Ignatius Farm \n \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/botany-for-farmers-and-gardeners-2024/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/botany-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240410T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240410T163000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183018
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:20260512T183018
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:20240408T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240418T174500
DTSTAMP:20260512T183018
CREATED:20240401T153545Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240401T153545Z
UID:19193-1712602800-1713462300@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Term 1: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:*Register for the whole term here or register for individual events by visiting efao.ca/events.   \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \n  \nApril 8th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-term Participants’ Meet-up\, Online \n  \nApril 9th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Introduction to Organic Growing \n Are you wanting to grow your own vegetables but are not sure how to get started? Join this webinar for an overview of how to start growing vegetables using organic principles. Topics will include the basics of getting to know your site\, common tools\, site preparation\, planting\, pest management\, harvesting\, and extending the season.   \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \n  \nApril 10th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Language of Ecological Agriculture \n \nWhat is organic agriculture? What does regenerative mean? What is the difference between permaculture\, agroecology\, and biodynamic farming? Join us for a discussion about the language of ecological agriculture and start thinking about how and where your farm might fit.   \nSpeaker: Thorsten Arnold\, Grey-Bruce Centre for Agroecology and Persephone Market Garden \n  \n  \nApril 11th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Botany for Farmers and Gardeners \nThis webinar will provide an introduction to botany for gardeners\, farmers\, and foodies. Topics will include vegetable classification and why this is important\, parts of a plant\, pollination and common pests and diseases.   \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \n  \nApril 12th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Identifying and Controlling Insect Pests \nUnfortunately we are not the only ones who find our crops tasty!  There is a whole world of insects that find our crops delicious or a great home.  This webinar gives you a basic understanding of the role of insects in agriculture and how to manage pests throughout the growing season. \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \n  \nApril 15th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Farm Workers Rights and Responsibilities \nDid you know that farm worker rights differ from general employee rights? Many new farm workers are uninformed about their rights and responsibilities.  This webinar will clarify the different rights and responsibilities relating to working on Ontario farms. .   \nSpeakers: Hannah Kaya\, Farm Worker Organizer\, National Farmers Union Ontario & El Cyr \n  \n  \nApril 16th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Introduction to Soil Health \nSoil is the foundation of growing healthy food. Learn the properties of soils and how to maintain and build soil health. We will discuss the types of soils and their attributes\, how to keep soils healthy and what activities contribute to degrading\, maintaining\, and building healthy soils.   \nSpeaker: Sarah Larsen\, Research and Small Grains Programs Director\, EFAO \n  \n  \nApril 17th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Introduction to Indoor Growing \nThis webinar will cover the different types of indoor growing options and which crops can be grown indoors in the spring. The many benefits and challenges of this production system will be discussed.  \nSpeaker: Lisa Conroy\, Ignatius Farm \n  \n  \nApril 18th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Introduction to Seedling production and Greenhouse management \nStarting your own seedlings can be challenging. Join this webinar to learn some tips and tricks to producing high quality healthy seedlings as well as good Greenhouse management techniques. Della Campbell shares her experience growing seedlings for Everdale’s plant sale and CSA farm. \nSpeaker: Della Campbell\, Everdale Farm \n  \n  \nApril 18th\, 4:45pm – 5:45pm: Full-term participants’ de-brief meet-up\, online \n  \nFull program details available here  > \n  \n \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/term-1-2024/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ignatius-team-straw-square.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240408
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241121
DTSTAMP:20260512T183018
CREATED:20240401T153508Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240401T153508Z
UID:19183-1712534400-1732147199@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Full Program: Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program
DESCRIPTION:*Register here for the full program (4 Terms) or register for a single term or a single event by visiting the Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program webpage.     \n**All events are recorded to allow participants to watch on their own time. Recordings will be made available on the course platform (Moodle) within 48 hours of the event. \nParticipants who complete all four terms receive an Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program Certificate. \nFull Program Details\nTerm 1: April 8th – April 18th\, 2024\nTerm 1 provides foundational knowledge and language for basic farm work. All zoom meeting links can be found on the Moodle course platform.  \nSchedule: \n\nApril 8th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-Term Participants Meet-up\nApril 9th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Introduction to Organic Growing\nApril 10th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: The Language of Ecological Agriculture\nApril 11th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Botany for Farmers and Gardeners\nApril 12th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Identifying and Controlling Pests and Diseases\nApril 15th\,  2:30pm – 4:30pm: Farm Worker Rights & Responsibilities\nApril 16th\,  2:30pm – 4:30pm: Introduction to Soil Health\nApril 17th\, 2:30pm – 4:30pm: Introduction to Indoor Growing\nApril 18th\,  2:30pm – 4:30pm: Introduction to Seedling Production & Greenhouse Management \nApril 18th\, 4:45pm – 5:45pm: Full-Term Participants De-brief\n\n\nTerm 2: April 22nd – July 31st\, 2024\nTerm 2 focuses on learning about specialized aspects of farming. All zoom meeting links can be found on the Moodle course platform.   \nSchedule: \n\nApril 22nd\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-Term Participants Meet-up\nApril 24th\, 9:30am – 11:30am: Optional Field Trip – Small plot agriculture at Ignatius Farm\, Guelph\nApril 29th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Field and Bed Preparation\nMay 1st\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Vegetable Disease Management\nMay 6th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Weed Management\nMay 8th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Cover Crops \nMay 13th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Farmer Yoga – Warming up for the season\nMay 15th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Irrigation Principles\nMay 27th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Harvest and Post-Harvest Principles\nMay 29th: Optional In-person Workshop: Composting at the Huron St Community Garden\, Guelph\nJune 5th: Optional Field Trip – TBA\nJune 10th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: TBA\nJune 12th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Urban Farming\nJune 17th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Ecology of Pasture-raised Meats\nJune 19th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Bee Keeping (in-person & online)\nJune 24th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Keeping Sheep\nJune 26th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: In-person Workshop – TBA\nJuly 10th\, 9:30am – 3:00pm: Optional In-person Field Trip – Crosby Gitigaan & County Left Farm\nJuly 15th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Orchard Care (in-person & online)\nJuly 17th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Farmer Mental Health\nJuly 22nd\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: TBA\nJuly 24th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: TBA\nJuly 29th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Intercropping in Market Gardens\nJuly 31st: Optional In-person workshop- Get your hands dirty\, soil health workshop\n\n\nAugust break \n  \nTerm 3: August 26th – October 30th\, 2024\nTerm 3 expands beyond basics to build skills for a specialized farm. All zoom meeting links can be found on the Moodle course platform.  \n\nFull-term participants meet-up: August 16th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm\nWebinar dates are: September 9th\, 16th\, 23rd\, October 14th\, 21st\, 28th\, and 30th\, 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nOptional in-person workshops and mini field trips will be: September 11th\, 18th\, 25th\, October 16th\, and 23rd.\nOptional in-person full day field trips will be: August 28th and October 2nd.\nFull-term participants de-brief: October 30th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm\n\n  \nTerm 4: October 30th – November 20th\, 2024\nTerm 4 provides entrepreneurship training for operating a farm business. All zoom meeting links can be found on the Moodle course platform. \n\nFull-term participants meet-up: October 30th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm\nWebinar dates are:\n\n\n\nNov 4\, 9:30am – 11:00am & 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nNov 6\, 9:30am – 11:00am & 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nNov 11\, 9:30am – 11:00am & 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nNov 13\, 9:30am – 11:00am & 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nNov 18\, 9:30am – 11:00am & 2:30pm – 4:00pm\nNov 20\, 9:30am – 11:00am & 2:30pm – 4:00pm\n\n\n\n\nFull-term participants debrief (and certificate sharing): November 20th\, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
URL:https://efao.ca/event/full-program-2024/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Course
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/ClaireCoulter-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240403T191500
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240403T203000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183018
CREATED:20240313T184323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240328T195229Z
UID:19093-1712171700-1712176200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Livestock Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:Do you have livestock? Do you want to? Come to this Livestock Meet-Up for the insights of Katrina McQuail. Katrina is experienced in raising meat chickens\, laying hens\, cattle\, pigs\, sheep\, goats and horses. After learning about some livestock management practices for the first half of the meet-up\, there will be time for attendees to ask questions and have discussion with each other as well as Katrina. Based on some of the interest from attendees during this session\, EFAO will explore hosting more specialized livestock education events. So come to get your questions answered and to share your learning goals for future events! \nFolks who attend will also hear about the EFAO Livestock Network as another opportunity to learn more. Katrina will also speak briefly about her role as a mentor with the Farmers for Climate Solutions FaRM program\, including how you can connect with her for more insights. \nAbout the host: \nHaving grown up on the farm\, Katrina McQuail (she/her) returned in 2014 and took over the farm business\, Meeting Place Organic Farm\, in 2016. She has a degree in Business and Not For Profit Management\, has worked in the culinary industry\, traveled extensively\, and worked for government and corporate agencies before she ran a wonderful social change not-for-profit in Guelph for 4 years. Katrina does extensive volunteer work for a couple different organizations\, mostly focused on youth and young adults as well as the environment. Among other interests\, Katrina is a PADI Open Water Scuba instructor. She currently serves on the EFAO board\, and is the assistant clerk for Friends General Conference. Katrina is passionate about all things farmy – but especially pigs and now flowers! Katrina and her partner\, Ben\, live on the farm with their three young children\, Stella\, Imogen and Hustis.  \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.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/livestock-meet-up/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Meet-up
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/IMG_9054_sq_400-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240402T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240402T160000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183018
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:20240328T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240328T200000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183018
CREATED:20240322T193013Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240328T193459Z
UID:19178-1711650600-1711656000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Spring Meet-Up: Farmers Network for Black\, Indigenous and People of Colour
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. \nTo all the wonderful folks in the Farmers Network for Black\, Indigenous and People of Colour: please join us for a spring online meetup! We’ve had some awesome in-person gatherings over the past year and it would be great to catch up with the bigger group on Zoom\, before the season gets busier. \n\n\n Connect with BIPOC farmers in your area\n Get info on sourcing seeds and seedlings for your cultural crops\n Meet EFAO’s BIPOC staff and board members\n Find out about programs\, grants and other opportunities coming up in 2024
URL:https://efao.ca/event/spring-meet-up-farmers-network-for-black-indigenous-and-people-of-colour/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Member Month Meet-up
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Member-Month-Frame-4.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240328T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240328T150000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183018
CREATED:20240318T155350Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240327T155430Z
UID:19108-1711634400-1711638000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:March Reading Club Meet-Up
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. \nCalling all bookworms! Do you have audiobooks in your headphones as you’re seeding? A tale that entertained you through a long day of weeding? Did you read a story over the winter that has stuck with you? Is there a poem that inspired you in your farming work? This meet-up is for you!  \nJoin us for a casual discussion of all things books & more!  This can include books related to your farming work\, plant ID\, land stewardship as well as further afield reading material like a murder mysteries\, poetry\, fantasy series\, graphic novels etc! \n This “show and tell” style meet-up aims to focus on community connection in a lighthearted way. There may even be a chance to get a free book! If you don’t have something to share\, you are welcome to join this meet-up anyhow and hopefully you will get some recommendations for your reading list and/or make new community connections. Grab a tea and a snack and we will see you there.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/march-reading-club-meet-up/
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/Member-Month-Frame-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240327T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240327T200000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183018
CREATED:20240306T162007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240306T162007Z
UID:19035-1711564200-1711569600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:2SLGBTQIA+ Farmer Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:This meet-up is open to anyone who identifies as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.\nDid you enjoy our Queer Farmer lunch together at the conference? Or did you have to miss it and catch some FOMO? Come out to our next VIRTUAL Meet-up!  \nThis is an opportunity for anyone in the 2SLGBTQIA+ umbrella who is passionate about growing food to connect with others\, make friends\, and build community. Whether you are growing food in the city\, producing food in a rural setting\, in the dreaming stage of your queer farming life\, or are somewhere in between\, you are welcome in this group! \nWe’ll take the first half of this meet-up to introduce ourselves and get to know each other with some fun icebreakers.  \nWith anti-trans legislation on the rise in North America\, we’ll take most of the second half to share resources\, petitions\, letter templates and simple steps we can all take to work to advocate for and protect our queer and trans friends and siblings. Bring your ideas\, petition links\, and any info to share about harmful anti-queer and anti-trans legislation folks are working to oppose. The work is heavy\, but it’s lighter when we all lift together.  \nWe’ll close out the meeting with encouragement and affirmations for each other.  \nYour privacy is important to us. The Zoom event will be password-protected (password will be emailed to registrants) and who we see and what we share in this session will be kept confidential. We hope you feel comfortable to join\, no matter where you are in your queerness journey. \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.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/2slgbtqia-farmer-meet-up/
CATEGORIES:Virtual Meet-up
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/QFM2024.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240327T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240327T130000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183018
CREATED:20240304T172711Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240304T172711Z
UID:19020-1711540800-1711544400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:March Seed Growers Online Meet-Up
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. \nSeed growers and seed curious folks have expressed an interest in regular gatherings to foster community around our seed work!  \nOur Monthly Meet-Ups are one such initiative through the EFAO Seed Program. In this month’s gathering\, we invite you to connect with fellow seed growers\, discuss plans for the upcoming season\, and address any challenges you may encounter in your seed-related endeavors. \nJoin for our informal monthly Meet-Up with other seed growers\, breeders\, and seed curious folk to talk about your questions and ideas about seedkeeping and seed production. Bring your seed questions and areas of contemplation and we’ll work together to try to address as many as we can. This Meet-Up offers a place for us to share our seed producing knowledge and to hear about upcoming seed events and programs. As always\, our goal is to encourage each other to grow a great diversity of seeds of high quality and in the quantities growers need. \nThis Seed Grower Meet-Up is hosted monthly free for EFAO members\, and the March Meet-Up is free for everyone as part of Member Month!! Growers of all experience levels and at all points in the process of seed saving and production are warmly welcomed.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/march-seed-growers-online-meet-up-3/
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/Untitled-design-6.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240325T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240325T200000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183018
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:20260512T183018
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:20260512T183018
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:20260512T183018
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:20260512T183018
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:20260512T183019
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:20260512T183019
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:20260512T183019
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:20240306T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240306T153000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183019
CREATED:20240215T171042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240215T171042Z
UID:18777-1709733600-1709739000@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Lessons from the Breadlab: Participatory Plant Breeding
DESCRIPTION:Plant breeders put a lot of effort into developing new\, high quality varieties\, but have you ever wondered who tells them what to breed for? And how do we decide what makes a quality variety? These are some of the questions being asked at Washington State University’s Breadlab\, where researchers and plant breeders work closely with farmers and bakers through participatory plant breeding (PPB). \nJoin us on March 6th to hear stories from Robin Morgan\, crop science PhD student and plant breeder at the Breadlab. Robin will challenge assumptions about the plant breeding process and share lessons he has gleaned through his seed work at home in rural Italy and with the Breadlab about working with farmers to shift priorities in grain breeding – bringing regional culture\, flavour\, and nutrition back into the loaf. \nRegister today to join us for a hit of mid-Winter inspiration and some great discussion! \nSpeakers: Robin Morgan (Breadlab)\, Michelle Carkner and Dr. Martin Entz (University of Manitoba)\, Alison Squires (Upland Organics) \nLearn more about Robin Morgan and WSU Breadlab here.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/lessons-from-the-breadlab/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efao.ca/wp-content/uploads/Breadlab-Webinar-English-e1708016987970.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240306T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240306T140000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183019
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:20260512T183019
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:20260512T183019
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:20240228T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240228T130000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183019
CREATED:20240215T170138Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240215T170138Z
UID:18771-1709121600-1709125200@efao.ca
SUMMARY:February Seed Growers Online Meet-Up
DESCRIPTION:At this month’s Seed Meet-Up\, we invite you to join us to connect with other seed growers\, talk about seed growing and saving plans for the new season\, and any challenges you are facing regarding your seed work.  \nJoin this informal monthly Meet-Up with other seed growers to talk about your questions and ideas about seedkeeping and seed production. As always we ask seed growers and seed curious folks to bring your seed questions and areas of contemplation and we’ll work together to try to address as many as we can. This Meet-Up offers a place for us to share our seed producing knowledge and to hear about upcoming seed events. As always\, our goal is to encourage each other to grow a great diversity of seeds of high quality and in the quantities growers need. \nThis Seed Grower Meet-Up is hosted monthly free for EFAO members\, and is open to non-members too! Growers of all experience levels and at all points in the process of seed saving and production are welcome.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/february-seed-growers-online-meet-up/
LOCATION:Online\, Online via Zoom - link will be sent to registrants
CATEGORIES:Virtual Meet-up
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240227T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240227T203000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183019
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240226T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240226T203000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183019
CREATED:20240116T143554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240130T191409Z
UID:18467-1708972200-1708979400@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Farm Visioning: Kitchen Table Meeting with 9 Acres Farm
DESCRIPTION:Winter is a great time for imagining where farms might take us\, or where we might take our farms. Join Carolyne\, this day’s hosts and co-owner at 9 Acres\, to brainstorm future directions for your own operations. \nAttendees will discuss creative ideas to turn farm visions and goals into reality\, and can expect to get feedback from others. Carolyne and Rodney are beekeepers & vegetable farmers themselves\, and they welcome all types of small farms to participate in this day of community connection\, creative brainstorming\, and problem solving & plan creation. \nKitchen Table Meetings are small and casual gatherings focused on a specific farming-related topic\, question\, or problem that is of interest to others in the EFAO community. \nThis KTM format is: \n– Introduction to the meet-up by hosts Carolyne and Rodney \n– Farm visioning conversation + some light snacks \nConversation questions are included in the event description in hopes folks will do some reflections in advance of gathering! Bring a question\, idea\, challenge\, or dream to work on with the group. \nAccess considerations: There will be a washroom available on site\, there is drinking water on site\, and the meeting will be held indoors. The stones leading up to the house require some attention to footing. If there are any other accessibility needs\, let us know and hosts will work on arrangements. \nParking: Park in the driveway\, or by the side of the road by the house or barn. \nPreparation: Reflections in advance of gathering are encouraged! Try to select one vision\, be it short or long term\, to bring to the table. Then bring your questions\, ideas\, and challenges to discuss for feedback with the group. \nDiscussions will cover: \n\nLast year’s wins and what do you attribute them to?\nWhat is your 5-year plan/vision?\nBased on that vision\, what do you plan on accomplishing this year?\nWhat do you need to put in place daily/weekly to make it happen?\nWhat challenges are you facing ?\nWhat kind of support can your local fellow farmers offer?\n\nCost: This event is FREE\, but registration is required because spots are limited to x15. The hosts are open to offering an additional event if there is sufficient demand. Multiple members from a farm are welcome\, and each person must reserve a spot.
URL:https://efao.ca/event/farm-visioning-kitchen-table-meeting-with-9-acres-farm/
LOCATION:9 Acres\, 514 Ridge Road East\, Grimsby\, Ontario\, L3M0K6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Kitchen Table Meeting
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240226T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240226T140000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183019
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240225T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240225T140000
DTSTAMP:20260512T183019
CREATED:20240214T213801Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240221T215326Z
UID:18750-1708858800-1708869600@efao.ca
SUMMARY:Black Farmers Winter Roundtable: Visioning\, Resource-sharing & Collaborating
DESCRIPTION:This event is held in partnership with Black Food Sovereignty Toronto. \nWinter is a great time to learn and plan before the farm season begins! Join us in an inspiring\, guided round-table discussion around the “state of affairs” in the Black Farming Community in the GTA. We’ll share farming challenges and solutions for how we can bridge those gaps with resources\, knowledge\, opportunities and collaboration. The hope is that this meeting can foster connections beyond this month and provide support for folks throughout the year. Come ready to connect and learn! You can bring a question\, idea\, challenge\, or resource to share in collaboration with the group as well. \nIf interested in attending\, please fill out our pre-event survey to submit possible topics of discussion! Fill out the survey here. \nIN PERSON: Food and refreshments will be available upon arrival\, with lots of opportunity to chat and make connections to foster a supportive network. In the following hour\, there will be a round-table discussion. Farmer Joe Thomas\, Founder of Black Vegans of Toronto (BVOT)\, will speak\, and the day will end with a series of short films showcasing a number of Black farmers across the country.  \nONLINE: You also have the option to attend virtually. There will be a virtual discussion\, followed by streaming of farmer Joe Thomas’s speech and the short films. \nIn-person registration is limited to 50 people. 
URL:https://efao.ca/event/black-farmers-winter-roundtable/
LOCATION:Daphne Cockwell Complex (DCC)\, 7th Floor\, Room 713\, 288 Church St\, Toronto\, ON M5B 1Z5
CATEGORIES:Roundtable
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END:VCALENDAR