Upcoming Agricultural Opportunities

Visit farmsatwork.ca for a host of resources that are helpful to any farmer in east central Ontario! Check out the following right now:

Events & Opportunities

Peterborough SCIA Bus Tour

Join the Peterborough Soil and Crop Improvement Association on August 17th for a unique opportunity to tour farms in the Peterborough area. The bus leaves Norwood at 9am from the Begg Parking and returns at 4pm. Bring your lunch.

Bus Tour stops:
      Norwood crickets
      La France Sod Farm
      Ontario Water Buffalo Company or the First Ontario Shrimp farm

Contact Jim Buck (705-696-2567) or Derrick Weiher (613-242-7270) to reserve a seat.

Funding for Farm Projects within the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority Jurisdiction

The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) offers financial and technical assistance to help you undertake an environmental project on your farm property through the GRCA Clean Water-Healthy Land Financial Assistance Program. The GRCA in partnership with member municipalities, offers funding within the Municipality of Clarington (within the GRCA watershed), the Municipality of Port Hope, the Township of Hamilton and the Town of Cobourg. Environmental projects are funded at a rate of 50% to caps ranging from $1,000 to $2,500.

Eligible projects include agricultural best management practices (GPS units, livestock fencing, alternate watering systems, manure management), clean water diversion, well management and tree planting. For more information contact the Stewardship Technician at 905-885-8173 or stewardship@grca.on.ca or visit www.grca.on.ca/programs-stewardship.html

Grazing Workshops with Sarah Flack

August 4th & 5th  |  Kingston area

The Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) is thrilled to be working with National Farmers Union (NFU) Local chapters to provide an incredible educational opportunity.  Sarah Flack, grazing specialist from Vermont, will be in Ontario for a series of grazing workshops.  Sarah is an internationally-known grazing consultant, providing practical information on grass-based livestock production to farmers.  Sarah specializes in cattle (dairy and beef) as well as other ruminants.

For more information about the workshops (including full descriptions) or to register, visit efao.ca or call EFAO at 519-822-8606.

Grassland Stewardship Program: Intake 2 Now Open!

The Grassland Stewardship Program (GSP), a new cost-share program launched this summer for Ontario farmers, is accepting applications in its second intake from now until August 15th, 2016. The Grassland Stewardship Program offers financial support for farmers who wish to implement select best management practices to improve grassland habitat — hayfield and pasture — and benefit bobolink and other grassland birds on their farm.

For more information or to apply, visit the OSCIA website at www.ontariosoilcrop.org/oscia-programs/sarpal/gsp or contact Laura Van Vliet at (226) 706-8668 or SARPAL@ontariosoilcrop.org.

Job Opportunity: By the Bushel Co-op Operations Coordinator

By the Bushel Community Food Co-operative is seeking an enthusiastic, organized and self-motivated person to co-ordinate the day-to-day operations of the co-op and to help grow our food programs through outreach, education and member engagement. For more information, visit www.bythebushel.ca/co-op-coordinator-position.

The Ecological Farm Internship Workshop: Models, Experiences and Justice.

October 13, 2016  |  University of Toronto  |  $10 (includes lunch)

This workshop brings together farmers, interns, food and agriculture activists, researchers and legal experts to participate in an interactive discussion about the opportunities and challenges associated with emergent forms of farm work and training. For more information and to register, visit www.goo.gl/forms/92Y1cwiRccOy9FAx2. Registration closes September 20th.

Check out these excellent videos by Farm and Food Care on how to promote pollinators on farmland.

Maintaining hedgerows with flowering trees and shrubs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPIN7543dlk
Planting flowering shrubs around fields: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiLoM5jOCDA
Planting flowering cover crops: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQEuEp4n5hw
Adding flowering plants to stream buffer zones: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWPv0lctmMI