Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program

Build a foundation to start a successful farm enterprise.

This program will not only provide you with critical information to start your farm, but you will 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. Join for a single webinar or sign up for a whole term.

Full program (all 4 terms) participants who have watched or attended 80% of the webinars in each term receive a certificate of completion.

For specific inquiries about the program please contact farmeducation@ignatiusguelph.ca.

2024 Program (dates & times subject to change)

Online meet-ups (7-8pm) will be scheduled each term for those participating in a full term in order to facilitate networking and participant learning objectives.

Term 1: April 8-18, (2:30-4:30pm)

• 8 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.

Term 2: Monday & Wednesday afternoons, May-July (2:30-4:30pm)

• 16 Webinars/virtual field days, 3 optional in-person field trips
• Teaches the application of farm language and knowledge.
• Sample workshops: Irrigation, Field & Bed preparation, Weed management, Harvest & postharvest handling, Cover crops & green manures, Indoor fruiting crops, Ergonomics/farmer health, Equipment maintenance.

There will be a 4 week break between terms 2 and 3 allowing for participants to catch up with viewing recordings.

Term 3: Monday & Wednesday afternoons, August-October (2:30-4:30pm)

• 7 Webinars/Virtual field days, 2 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.

Term 4: November 4, 6, 11,13, 18 and 20 (9:30-11:30am & 2:30-4:30pm)

• 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.