News/Events - June 2013

Scholarships Now Available for EFAO “Go East” Bus Tour

Four new scholarships have just been announced by EFAO, which are available to farmers who are eager to network and learn with their peers. Each scholarship will cover transportation and accommodation costs for EFAO’s 2013 “Go East” Bus Tour.

For all the details on the tour and available scholarships, check out: http://www.efao.ca/

EFP & GYFP Workshops Now Available

Environmental Farm Plan and Growing Your Farm Profits Workshops available now

EFP and GYFP workshops are once again available in our region. While they are no longer mandatory for accessing government funding, they are recommended. If you have never attended, now is a good time to think about it.

You can sign up at http://registration.wildapricot.org/

Farms at Work and the Kawartha Farm Stewardship Collaborative are here to help you navigate the opportunities for funding through partner organizations, including the new Growing Forward 2 program. Watch for details as they become available…

Congratulations GreenUp Ecology Park!

GreenUP Ecology Park has gratefully received support for their “Planting our Fruiture” project from Community Futures Development Corporation. Their project vision is to improve food security in our region and increase our green cover in our urban forest, through the planting, ongoing care and harvesting of edible trees and shrubs.

This season, GreenUP Ecology Park will be purchasing edible trees and shrubs suitable to this region and made available for sale in their nursery in the next few months. GreenUP is a non profit, charitable organization leading the field in environmental stewardship for home, business, school and community for 20 years.

* Please contact Marcy Adzich, manager of Landscape Programs if you have hardy
(Zone 4- 5b) fruit and nut trees, apple rootstock available for wholesale purchase.

*GreenUp Ecology Park would like to host a series of educational workshops about growing edible trees and shrubs.Please contact Marcy with workshop topics and let us know what you would like to learn!

marcy.adzich@greenup.on.ca

Advanced Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture

Agriculture Solutions (a natural fertilizer company based in Elora, Ontario) is offering an Advanced Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture with acclaimed author and educator, Graeme Sait from July 8th – 11th. Participants will learn strategies for reducing chemical dependance, how to access soil nutrient reserves, how to improve water management and soil structure, and much more!

All the details for this exciting program can be found at:

http://www.agriculturesolutions.ca/events

Also, here’s a TED Talk by Graeme Sait:
http://youtu.be/8Q1VnwcpW7E

Grassfed Livestock Tour @ The Stoddart Family Farm

Farms at Work continued its series of farm business management tours this past weekend at the Stoddart Family Farm, outside of Little Britain, Ontario.

Home to Canada’s only herd of Ancient White Park cattle, as well as one of the remaining flocks of Romney sheep in the country (listed as “endangered” by Rare Breeds Canada), Harry and Silvia’s farm is a picturesque testament to the simplicity of raising livestock on grass.

 

Despite the threat of rain, several new and experienced farmers arrived, eager to learn and swap ideas. Donning their tallest wellies and full-length slickers, the group wasted no time in traversing the barnyard to the fields.

Harry and Silvia discussed their methods of maintaining the health of their animals. They only medicate when absolutely necessary, in order to avoid undue suffering. Their belief is that the open-air and diet of diverse native grasses is what keeps their animals so healthy in the first place.

The Stoddarts’ goal for their herd of White Parks is threefold: to increase their numbers through breeding; to establish other herds in Canada; and to develop niche markets for rare breed products in the Canadian marketplace.

By all accounts, the Stoddarts are doing quite well with that last part. Their innovative meat CSA has just crossed the hundred-member mark, which is impressive, considering the modest size of their operation.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Stoddart Family Farm, you should check out their website,http://stoddart.ca/. Farms at Work would like to thank the Stoddarts for spending their afternoon with us on this tour. We would also be remiss without thanking the Ontario Trillium Foundation for all their generous support.  As always, stay tuned for announcements on upcoming events!