Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program

The critical knowledge, training, and experience you need to start your farm, and an opportunity to meet other new and experienced farmers and become a part of the ecological agricultural community in Ontario.

Educational content is geared toward new farmers, but is open to all farmers who might be curious about a certain topic, wishing to expand their farming knowledge, or in need of a refresh.

Participants begin with foundational knowledge, then learn about specialized aspects of farming, and end with a focus on establishing farm businesses.  You are welcome to join for a single webinar or sign up for a whole term.

The Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program is a collaboration between the Ignatius Jesuit Centre, EFAO, Everdale and the National Farmers Union Ontario.

New farmers

Program Details

 

Term 1: April 11th – 20th, 9:30am – 11:00am
  • Eight online webinars.
  • Provides foundational knowledge and language for basic farm work.
  • Sample workshops: The Language of Ecological Agriculture in Ontario, Intro to Organic Growing, Soils, Botany, Pest and disease management, Intro to Indoor Growing, Farm workers rights and responsibilities.
  • Online meet-ups for full term participants.
Term 2: May to July, Mondays & Wednesdays, 2:30pm – 4:00pm
  • 16 Webinars/virtual field days, three optional in-person field trips
  • Teaches the application of farm language and knowledge.
  • Workshops may include: Irrigation, Field & Bed preparation, Weed management, Harvest & post-harvest handling, Cover crops & green manures, Indoor fruiting crops, Ergonomics/farmer health, Equipment maintenance.
  • Online meet-ups for full term participants.

August break

 

Term 3: September to October, Mondays & Wednesdays, 2:30pm – 4:00pm
  • 10 Webinars/Virtual field days, two optional in-person field trips
  • Expands beyond basics to build skills for a specialized farm.
  • Sample workshops/ virtual field days: Apiculture, Permaculture, Livestock (various), a deeper dive into some terms 1 and 2 topics.
  • Online meet-ups for full term participants.
Term 4: November 1st, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 13th and 15th, 9:30am – 11:00am & 2:30pm – 4:00pm
  • 12 Webinars
  • Provides entrepreneurship training for operating a farm business.
  • Sample workshops: Farm Design, Business planning, Production system management, Budgets & Record keeping, Marketing and distribution, Financing, and Land access.
  • Online meet-ups for full term participants.

Full program (all 4 Terms) participants receive a Certificate for completing the Ignatius New Farmer Training Program.

Get notified when registration opens!

If you would like to be notified when registration opens for the 2023 Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program, please leave your contact information by clicking the link below.

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