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.

Program Details

Term 1: April 11th – 20th, 9:30am – 11:00am

Term 1 provides foundational knowledge and language for basic farm work.

Schedule:

April 11th, 9:30am – 11:00am: Introduction to Organic Growing
April 11th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-Term Participants Meet-up
April 12th, 9:30am – 11:00am: Introduction to Soil Health
April 13th, 9:30am – 11:00am: Language of Ecological Agriculture and Food Systems in Ontario – Part 1
April 14th, 9:30am – 11:00am: Language of Ecological Agriculture and Food Systems in Ontario – Part 2
April 17th, 9:30am – 11:00am: Botany for Farmers and Gardeners
April 18th, 9:30am – 11:00am: Farm Workers Rights and Responsibilities
April 19th, 9:30am – 11:00am: Identifying and Controlling Pests and Diseases
April 20th, 9:30am – 11:00am: Introduction to Indoor Growing
April 20th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-Term Participants De-brief

Term 2: May to July, Mondays & Wednesdays, 2:30pm – 4:00pm

Term 2 focuses on learning about specialized aspects of farming.

Schedule (may be subject to change):

April 24th, 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Full-Term Participants Meet-up
May 1st, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Field and Bed Preparation
May 3rd, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Weed Management
May 8th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Harvest and Post-Harvest Principles
May 10th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Seedling Production and Greenhouse Management
May 15th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Cover Crops
May 17th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Irrigation Basics
May 31st, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: In-person Field Day (TBA)
June 5th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Setting up an Urban Farm
June 7th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Beekeeping
June 12th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Growing Medicinal Herbs
June 14th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Keeping Sheep
June 19th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Artisanal Livestock Production
June 21st, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Land Regeneration and Reconciliation
July 5th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: In-person Field Day (TBA)
July 10th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Orchard Care
July 12th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Flower Production
July 17th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Mental Health for Farmers
July 19th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: TBA
July 24th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: Composting
July 26th, 2:30pm – 4:00pm: How to Strengthen and Get Fit for Farming

August break

Term 3: September to October, Mondays & Wednesdays, 2:30pm – 4:00pm

Term 3 expands beyond the basics to build skills for a specialized farm.

Schedule coming soon!

10 webinars/ virtual field days, such as: 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

Term 4 provides entrepreneurship training for operating a farm business.

Schedule coming soon!

12 webinars, such as: Farm Design, Business planning, Production system management, Budgets & Record keeping, Marketing and distribution, Financing, and Land access.
Online meet-ups for full term participants.