FarmStart’s Pastured Pigs and Poultry Workshop at Green Being Farm

By Kelsey Rideout, FarmStart Outreach and Resource Development Intern

Pastured Pigs and Poultry workshop participants walking through the meadow at Green Being Farm.

On Saturday July 10th, FarmStart held a workshop called “Pastured Pigs and Poultry” at Green Being Farm in Neustadt, Ontario. This full day of learning was facilitated by the farm’s manager, Tarrah Young, who raises healthily fed and happily roaming pigs, chickens, turkeys and lamb. Many of the participants had some history of farming, although had little background in raising animals on pasture. It didn’t take long however for the enthusiastic and open-minded group to begin discovering the medley of benefits that come from enabling livestock to embrace their instinctively nomadic way of life.

Farmer Tarrah Young teaching participants about raising chickens on pasture.

The workshop began with understanding the life cycle of a pastured chicken. Participants first gathered inside the Green Being Farm chicken coop, where newly born chicks freely grow within an open, spacious room and benefit from being fed certified organic grain. Tarrah emphasized the meticulous care that is needed to ensure the birds’ survival and healthy development. By closely observing the well being of the chicks every morning, Tarrah constantly watches for any sign of disease or illness that a youngster may appear to be suffering from. Participants then ventured out further on the farm to view laying hens and fully-grown broilers that are raised on rotated parcels of pasture. Each visit outdoors was complimented with some essential classroom-style learning that drew upon important lessons in starting a viable business and surpassing the major barriers that often prevent farmers from entering the small-scale poultry industry. To end the morning, Tarrah encouraged participants to know their farm animals inside out, and performed an autopsy on one of her birds that had fallen ill. Participants attentively watched as Tarrah demonstrated how organs unique to chickens both look and function.

Berkshire pigs enjoying a snack under the sun!

While the morning had been full of intensive learning, the excitement only grew when Tarrah moved onto the next topic – pigs! To the delight of the participants, Tarrah provided a thorough overview of pigs – from their history in agriculture to their amazing ability to restore the soil’s fertility. The group then headed back outside to look at Tarrah’s Berkshire pigs, a heritage breed of pigs known for their succulent flavor. The pigs seemed hardly disturbed by the group’s presence, as they continued to bask in the sun and sprawl out in their mud-filled playground amidst the crowd of strangers. In a few weeks time, they will be old enough to freely run around in the grass and enjoy exploring the land. Upon living healthy, balanced lives full of exercise and leisure, Tarrah explained what key steps come after in humanely processing the meat and successfully selling her pork. By marketing directly to her customers, Tarrah is able to capture the entire sale price of her meats, and can also set her own prices so that they reflect the full cost of production.

At the end of the day, participants went home from Green Being Farm with a great amount of new knowledge and inspiration to begin farming in a more caring, sustainable and viable way. But before they left, many wandered around a little while longer, finding solace in the sounds and sights of the farm’s majestic environment, and sharing in the simple, undeniable joy that comes from feeling free.

To learn more about Green Being Farm, visit the farm’s website at www.greenbeingfarm.ca.

Stay tuned for more opportunities to learn about livestock and raising animals on pasture in FarmStart’s upcoming Fall workshops.

Recapping “The Dirt on Soil” and “Cover Cropping” Workshops at McVean

By Kelsey Rideout, FarmStart Outreach and Resource Development Intern

Joyce Ramnarine, a test cropper at McVean, enjoying the ribbon test!

On Saturday, May 30^th, FarmStart conducted two workshops entitled, “The Dirt on Soil” and “Introduction to Cover Cropping” at the McVean Incubator Farm Facility in Brampton. Individuals from a range of backgrounds came together to attend the sessions. Some of the participants were farmers from McVean, others had access to land and were beginning to explore different cultivation methods, and then there were those who simply had great interest in the topics at hand. With a diverse range of attendees and two very well-versed presenters, the day consisted of a great amount of learning and a whole lot of fun!

Tarrah Young, presenting her workshop, called 'The Dirt on Soil.'

Tarrah Young, farmer from Green Being Farm, presented an introductory level workshop on soil, a subject that she has been passionately teaching for over 8 years. Tarrah covered a range of soil topics, from more descriptive concepts like soil colour and soil make-up, to more complex concepts such as the Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC). Tarrah’s hands-on style left participants smiling from ear to ear as they got up, close and personal with the underground world. The group learned how to physically test and observe the soil’s texture by performing what’s known as the “ribbon test”. By the end of the session, Tarrah’s central message evidently resounded within the minds and spirits of the group – the need to develop a sense of wonderment and appreciation for the millions of living interactions taking place right beneath our feet.

Saulis Tribinevicius, presenting the afternoon workshop on cover cropping.

Saulis Tribinevicius, Farm Manager at McVean Farm, presented the afternoon workshop. Topics such as soil structure and soil fertility were once again explored, but this time through the new lens of cover cropping. As cover crops play a fundamental role in naturally sustaining essential nutrients within the soil and ridding crops of harmful pests, this workshop provided participants with essential tips for their farm and gardening plans. Saulis went over a variety of cover crops, including green manure, clovers, vetch, buckwheat, and sweetclovers. After a long and windy day full of stimulating conversations, participants left McVean with a head full of new knowledge and an itch to get back in the dirt and learn some more!

FarmStart will be running several workshops throughout this summer. Make sure to keep yourself updated by signing up for our Mailing List or checking our website for upcoming workshops and events!

Ready to Buy a Farm?

Thinking you’d like to buy a farm? Is this the right choice for you? How should you begin your search? How do you find financing? How do you make an offer? These questions and lots more will be the focus of this workshop, geared towards first time buyers. Topics to be covered will include:

- Setting priorities on what to look for in a farm based on your farm vision, and where to look.

- The process of getting approved for a mortgage, the role of a mortgage broker, and the difference between a residential and agricultural mortgage.

- The process of making an offer, knowing your rights and leaning the lingo (e.g., signbacks, amendments,chattels).

Workshop Level: Introductory

When: Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 6:30pm-9:30pm

Where: The Stop, Green Barn, 601 Christie St.  View map.

Cost: $55

To Register and arrange for payment: Click on Course Registration

Running a sustainable and efficient market garden business requires the right tools! Knowing how to use them is almost as important as knowing how to grow.  Join Leslie Moskovits for a half day workshop to discuss, share ideas and learn about tools and supplies available to the small market gardener, from hoes and seeders to row cover and harvest bins.

When: June 5, 1pm-4pm

Where: Ebenezer Chapel & FarmStart McVean Incubator Farm Facility (directions will be sent to registrants), Brampton

Cost : $55

For more information and to register visit: www.farmstart.ca/workshops

The Dirt on Soil

The root of all life, including human life, is in the soil.  In this half-day workshop, join Tarrah Young from Green Being Farm(www.greenbeingfarm.ca/), to learn the basics of soil science in an accessible and hands-on way.  Rather than relying on inputs for fertility, get ready for ideas on how to optimize your soil’s health, and ultimately the health of your crops, by using the biological community to unleash the tremendous potential in your soil!

Workshop Level: Introductory

When: May 29, 2010, 10am – 1pm

Where: FarmStart McVean Incubator Farm Facility, Brampton. View map.

Cost: $55 or $95 for full day including the afternoon workshop Introduction to Cover Cropping

To Register and arrange for payment: Click on Course Registration.

Introduction to Cover Cropping

Tilling the soil is the beginning point of many agricultural problems. So what is a solution?  Cover cropping!  This workshop, led by McVean farm manager Saulis Tribinevicius, will discuss why cover crops are important, what the different types of cover crops are, how to choose and when to plant a cover crop, and how to manage them effectively.

Workshop Level: Introductory

When: May 29, 2010, 2pm – 5pm

Where: FarmStart McVean Incubator Farm Facility, Brampton. View map.

Cost: $55 or $95 for full day including the morning workshop The Dirt on Soil

To Register and arrange for payment: Click on Course Registration.

To learn about other upcoming FarmStart workshops visit www.farmstart.ca/workshops

INTERNSHIP – New Farmer Coordinator

Position Description:

Employer: FarmStart (www.FarmStart.ca)

Position Title: New Farmer Coordinator Intern

Location: Guelph, Ontario

Deadline: May 15, 2010

Eligibility:

- between the ages of 15 and 30;
- unemployed or under-employed;
- have graduated from an agriculture-related program in a university, college or CEGEP; or a provincial program focusing on biological, agricultural and veterinary science or applied technology
- Canadian citizens or have landed immigrant status.

Description:

The intern will ideally be a person who has knowledge of the agriculture sector in Ontario. The position involves substantial interaction with people of different backgrounds and cultures; hence he/she should have basic human resource skills and must be a good listener. He/she should be able to make decisions based on the needs of individual farmers and also must be able to gauge quickly each persons situation.

The internship will involve duties in the following two categories

I. New Farmer Communication and Coordination

• Communicate with the prospective new farmers who contact FarmStart
• Assess their individual needs and guide them to the possible next steps
• Provide them with access to the different resources within FarmStart and other agencies in the province
• Arrange farm tours for groups when necessary
• Coordinate with the Incubator Farm Manager & Program Manager to place new farmers on the incubator farms
• Assist farmers who complete their tenure in the incubator farms by linking them to farmland
• Assist with the Explore Your New Farm Dream workshop conducted for prospective new farmers

II. Direct Farmer Services Program Support

• Work closely with the Program Manager throughout the internship to acquire the skills needed to engage with new farmers
• Establish links with organizations that are working on new farmer issues
• Assist the Program Manager in managing the small grants program
• Present, either individually or with the Program Manager, FarmStart’s work at different forums/workshop/conferences
• Explore land tenure and land linking options for new farmers

Email resume and cover letter in a single document (Word or PDF) to:

sri@farmstart.ca

c/o Sri Sethuratnam

Director Direct Farmer Services, FarmStart

We regret that only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Celebrate Earth Day with the Season Premiere of Global Footprints, featuring an interview with FarmStart.

Thursday April 22nd 7:30pm ET on ichannel http://www.ichannel.ca/global_footprints

“Find out the impacts city life has on the natural world. Learn what innovative things people are doing to help cities be more sustainable. We’ll feature green roofs and their importance in saving water and adding to the cities biodiversity; let the sun shine in with passive solar; get a tour of the eco home archetypes and finally growing food in a box, will have you thinking inside the box.”

FarmLINK Outreach & Resource Development Intern

Position Description

Employer: FarmStart (http://www.farmstart.ca)

Position Title: FarmLINK Outreach & Resource Development Intern

Length of Internship: 6 months, full time

Location: Guelph, Ontario

Start date: Flexible but must be completed by December 15^th

Eligibility: This position is funded through the Youth Eco Internship Program (YEIP)* (http://www.yeip.ca). Applicants for this position must be:

-       Between the ages of 18 and 30

-       Unemployed

-       A Canadian citizen

-       A high school graduate who has not graduated from College or University

Internship Description:

The FarmLINK Outreach & Resource Development Intern will work with the FarmLINK Program Manager to develop case studies and short video profiles of innovative and successful land tenure, farm business and mentoring arrangements for the FarmLINK website (http://www.farmlink.net). The Intern will also help to develop outreach, communication and resource materials.

FarmLINK.net is a matchmaking tool that brings together new farmers who are looking for land or mentoring with farmland owners who have land available or expertise to share. By documenting existing working models, the intern will be providing an invaluable resource to those considering similar arrangements.

Through this position, the intern will also have the opportunity to participate in various aspects of FarmStart’s daily operations (meetings, events, workshops) and to connect with individuals, resources and networks that are supporting new ecological farmers across the province.

We are looking for a results-oriented and self-motivated individual who can also work as part of a team. We hope to find a skilled writer and storyteller who is comfortable interviewing farmers and who can communicate complex ideas in straightforward and creative ways.

For a full position description and for information on how to apply click on FarmLINK Outreach & Resource Development Intern Posting

Carrot Cache Innovation Prize

Innovation Prize for Farmers !

Carrot Cache is offering a $500.00 Innovation Prize to farmers for best, innovative, low cost solution to planting, managing, harvesting, post harvest handling, or processing of food grown on your small Canadian organic urban or rural farm!

Click on image for full details.

New Farmer Training Day, March 4^th – Come hear from Joel Salatin, grass farming guru from Polyface Farm as well as other experienced farmers on topics such as Pastured Pigs, Pastured Poultry, Intro to Sheep, Crop Planning for Vegetable Growers, Salad Bar Beef, Healthy Soils and Marketing. Or attend a full day CSA Mini-School!

March 5^th and 6^th – Pick from a variety of workshops on emerging issues in farming, including Urban Agriculture, the Local Abattoir Crisis, Accessing Land & Capital, and more!

When: March 4^th – 6^th, 2010

Where: Kitchener, Delta Hotel (105 King Street East)

Cost: $95 per day

For more information and to register visit http://www.bringfoodhome.com

Preliminary Findings from GTA Ethno-Cultural Foods Study

Demand for ethno-cultural foods in the GTA highlights exciting local market opportunities for farmers!

A collaborative market research study is currently underway to assess the preferences for ethno-cultural foods in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The study is being conducted by the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, the GTA Agricultural Action Committee, the Toronto Food Policy Council and FarmStart.

Resarch has included 750 one-on-one interviews at ethnic grocery stores and supermarkets in various locations throughout the GTA. The ethnic communities selected for the study were Chinese, South Asian and Afro-Caribbean. The study, which focuses on the consumer, is a first for the province. Preliminary findings include:

Demand (amount spent on vegetables/month by different communities):

Chinese ($21million/month)

Afro-Caribbean ($7 million/month)

South Asian ($33 million/month)

Total demand by the three major ethnic communities in the GTA is $61 million/month.

Top ranked vegetables consumed by these communities:

Chinese Vegetables

1. Bok Choy ( Brassica rapa sub-specie : chinensis)

2. Chinese Brocoli – Gailon (Brassica oleracea : Alboglabra Group)

3. Eggplant (Solanum melongena) – Chinese variety

Afro-Caribbean Vegetables

1. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

2. African Eggplant – Garden Eggs (Solanum aethiopicum, Solanum gilo, Solanum olivaire, Solanum pierreanum)

3. Smooth Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.)

South Asian Vegetables

1. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

2. Eggplant (Solanum melongena)

3. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia)

Group aims to fire up farmers of the future

Farm Start, a Guelph, Ont.-based organization, helps people from non-farming backgrounds get into the industry.

JON TATTRIE,  METRO CANADA,  FEBRUARY 17, 2010

Planting at McVean

For the month of February, Metro’s Workology section will be focusing on some delicious food-related careers. Check back every Wednesday for a new feature.

Canadian farming is heading for a disaster as fewer and fewer farming children continue the family business.

“In the next ten years, about 80 per cent of the agricultural assets in the country are going to be transferred,” says Christie Young, director of Ontario’s Farm Start. “We’re going to have a massive crisis in the agricultural sector because we don’t have the infrastructure set up to get people into farming.”

Conversely, that means it’s a great time to get into farming. Farm Start, a Guelph, Ont.-based organization, helps people from non-farming backgrounds get into the industry. Some come with university degrees in agriculture and others are second-career farmers.

Farm Start begins with a four-day explorer course. “It’s a time for people to think really critically about whether this is the right career for them and what it means to be a farmer,” Young says.

Continue reading “Group aims to fire…”

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Organic Farm Field Manager

Application deadline: Friday, February 26th, 2010.

Contract Length: May 1 – Oct 31, 2010
Location: Brampton (FarmStart’s McVean Incubator Farm), Toronto & GTA (markets)

Organizational Mission: “Cultivating Personal, Social, Environmental, and Economic Health through Organic Agriculture.”

Field Manager Job Description

Primary Goal: Cultivation of 3 acres of land to produce mixed produce for Community Supported Agriculture Programs and Farmers Markets

Primary Activities:

1.      Coordinate Interns and Volunteers to carry out necessary farm tasks

2.      Supervise Interns in their learning process, including regular one-on-one check-ins

3.      Volunteer Recruitment and weekly scheduling

4.      Facilitate CSA distribution once weekly

5.      Other General Tasks:  Ongoing Communication with Program Director, Washing Harvest bins, Vehicle Support, Supply pick-ups and other errands, etc

Weekly Schedule in Summary (40 hrs total):

• 24 hours on Farm: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday mornings
• 6 hours at CSA distribution site (one afternoon per week)
• 10 hours admin (eg.farm scheduling, volunteer recruitment) and errands

Compensation:

• $1600-2000/month from May – October, depending on experience
• Two weeks paid vacation
• Abundance of Produce

Qualifications:

• Phenomenal social-skills and experience managing & coordinating people
• Experience farming mixed produce
• Commitment to balance and wellness in one’s own life
• Drivers Licence and access to vehicle

To apply:

• Please submit resume with cover letter by Feb. 26^th to Daniel Hoffmann atdaniel@thecuttingveg.com
• For more information about The Cutting Veg, visithttp://www.thecuttingveg.com

Who: AgriCulture and AgriFood Canada wants to hear from Full-Time Farmers  

When/Where: this Thursday the 26^th in Guelph from 6:30 – 8:30 pm

What: Full time farmers are being paid to share their thoughts and provide feedback on several current government programs including Agri-Stability and Agri-Invest. You are invited to attend even if you have not enrolled in these programs.

How much: $100 cash.

Interested? Call to register with Ron Ross at 1-800-798-5060 and he’ll provide the remaining details.

FarmFolk/CityFolk in Vancouver, has just launched FarmFolk/CityFolk Heroes, a 6 minute video homage to 27 sustainable farmers and city growers. Please click here to enjoy the show.

Photography: Brian Harris / Music Liona Boyd.

The NFU Youth will be launching the Campaign for New Farmers during the 40th annual convention of the National Farmers Union which will take place November 26th-28th, 2009 at the Travelodge Hotel and Conference Centre, Ottawa West.

The campaign coordinators are inviting individuals or organizations who are working on all types of new farmer training, educational or mentorship programs to participate by displaying relevant information outside the Centennial Ballroom throughout the duration of the convention.  For more information please contact Kalissa Regier at kjregier@gmail.com or Cammie Harbottle at cammieh@gmail.com.

In addition, the official launch will take place in the Centennial Ballroom on Saturday, November 28th from 10:30-11:30AM.

New Farmer Forum

We are excited to tell you about a great upcoming opportunity for new farmers (of all ages) in east central Ontario. Mark your calendars for SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7 and come to Lindsay for a day-long discussion around training and education needs. Click here for all the details. The day is free (except for a $5 contribution to lunch), so please come and bring all the new farmers you know!!

Here are the steps:
1. Contact Anna at (705) 740-9383 or apetry@kawarthaheritage.org to pre-register ASAP. Registration is LIMITED.
2. Log on to http://tinyurl.com/FarmerTrainingSurvey and complete this survey as soon as you can. It only takes 10 minutes.

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Bring Food Home

FarmStart and the FarmON Alliance have partnered with Sustain Ontario, FoodNet Ontario and other partners to organize BRING FOOD HOME – Connecting Ontario Farm and Food Networks, a provincial conference that will be held at the Kitchener Delta from March 4-6, 2010.

The conference will bring together participants from diverse regions and sectors, including farmers, food enterprises, health promoters, community groups and government organizations. The purpose is to facilitate our learning and working together to create food systems that are healthy, just, accessible, culturally appropriate, financially viable and sustainable.

To date we have confirmed Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm and of Food, Inc. fame as one of several keynote speakers, as well as Martin Gooch from the George Morris Centre who will lead a workshop in Value Chain Management. The FarmON Alliance is planning a whole day of events related to farmer training. It is shaping up to be an exciting conference.

For more information please contact the Program Committee Co-Chair at bringfoodhome@sustainontario.com or 647-348-0235 or visit Bring-food-home-2010-conference for updates.

Daniel Brisebois from Ferme Tourne-Sol, the farm highlighted in the article below, was the keynote speaker at last March’sEcological New Farmers Conference hosted by FarmStart and Everdale Environmental Learning Centre. One of the farmers from Tourne-Sol will hopefully return this winter to run another Crop Planning workshop – we’ll keep you updated!

Please join us in Brampton at FarmStart’s McVean Farm Grand Opening this coming Sunday!

For directions and more information, please check out our Flyer or our website at www.farmstart.ca/McVeanGrandOpening.

We are also still looking for a few more volunteers for the event on Sunday for general help, face-painting, etc. If you would be interested in helping facilitate this event, please email info@farmstart.ca or call Keturah at 519-836-7046 x103.

We are really excited about this opportunity to show you our beautiful urban farm, let you get to know the farmers on our land and share some of the wonderful produce the farmers have been growing this season! Don’t miss this chance to come out to the ground-breaking at McVean farm.

Come rain or shine (preferably shine), we hope to see you there!

The recent explosion of immigrant populations in Ontario has had a tremendous effect on the demand for ethnic foods and produce. Opportunities have become available for farmers to increase their income by becoming involved in the production of ethno-cultural food. If farmers are able to capture this niche marketing opportunity there is great potential for profit in an otherwise highly competitive industry.

When new immigrants arrive in Canada, they seek things that remind them of home. Food is more than a source of energy and nutrients; it is a reflection of cultural values. Market research has shown that there is a shortage of supply for these vegetables owing to a dramatic increase in transportation costs both in North America and internationally. Producers in Ontario should take advantage of this opportunity and provide fresh, high quality vegetables for ethnic residents. This practice will also tie into the local food movement, as farmers will supply a wide variety of produce that is appealing to ethnic consumers.

Please click here to see the full article. This study is led by the University of Guelph with a number of collaborators including FarmStart.

Helping women grow into new businesses
by Tere Dunlap

MONROE – There was a time when rural women often got together to help each other preserve fruit, sew quilts and make soap.
Thursday night, about 20 rural and county-loving people, mostly women, attended the “See Jane Grow” seminar at Kookaburras, a culinary and gourmet food shop locally owned by Laura Winters, on the north side of the Monroe Square.
Dani Gierhart, Brodhead, came to the seminar for more information. She had become unemployed April 4 when Woodbridge Corporation, an auto seat cushion manufacturer in Brodhead, shut down.
“My big dream is to own an Alpaca farm,” she said. “All by myself.” To read the rest of this article, click http://themonroetimes.com/.

Note: There is a growing movement of socially responsible women who combine their love of local food, family, their environment, and community change to run their own farms. In the USA, women entrepreneurs are expanding at twice the national rate. Tired of the corporate recessionary life, women are coming together to share their knowledge and stories of creating their own livelihoods. The article above from rural Wisconsin USA examines this societal trend.  Please click here for a link to the article. *MR *Maya Roy is a contributing editor to Foodforethought.

 

A New Season at FarmStart

 

You haven’t heard from us in a while, but not because we’ve been been hibernating. It’s been a season of birth, growth and putting down roots for FarmStart!

First, we’d like to say Congratulations to our Director, Christie Young, who has been on leave the last few months due to the birth of baby Reed.   

FarmStart has finally settled into an office in Guelph, where we’ve been able to welcome new staff members. Our team is moving forward with amazing programs, which we’d love to share with you in this Spring Newsletter. 

You can also check out our hands-on courses and workshops, including “Pasturing Pigs” and “Intro to Tillage” at www.farmstart.ca/workshops/.

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It’s Spring at McVean!

What’s exciting at FarmStart’s incubator project at the historic McVean Farm in Brampton? As it enters its second season of operation, its 5 farmers have multiplied to 13! Seven enterprises are now working … (to finish this article, please click here)

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Looking for Land?  Try Speed Dating

At the heart of the FarmLINK Ontario program is an on-line matchmaker tool to help farmland owners connect with new farmers looking for land. Aware that succession planning requires more than a website, we organized our first live matchmaking workshop ”Lucky in Land?”…  (to finish this article, please click here)

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Launch of the FarmON Alliance

FarmStart is very excited to announce the launch of the FarmON Alliance. FarmON’s mandate is to encourage the development of local food systems through the support of emerging, ecologically-oriented farmers. Regional coordinators will work closely with…  (to finish this article, please click here)   

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Academic Programs in Sustainable Agriculture are Proliferating
The School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences is offering a one-year Sustainable Agriculture Program…  (to finish this article, please click here)  

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FarmStart putting down Roots!
As of Dec. 2008, FarmStart has new roots! We’ve set up an office at the  Orchard Park Office Centre of Ignatius Farm in Guelph. Stop by to meet our new staff…  (to finish this article, please click here) 

 

TheStar.com writer: KIM HONEY Apr 15, 2009 04:30 AM

Some GTA residents who buy a share in a farm this year will no longer have to sit back and take their kale, or any other vegetable they dislike, for that matter.

More and more Community Shared Agriculture or CSA farms are allowing their customers to “shop” for some or all of the food in their weekly allotment…http://www.thestar.com/living/article/618356

 

 

 Local food co-op holds official launch

Posted By FIONA ISAACSON , the Peterborough EXAMINER STAFF WRITER

Article ID# 1502941

The By The Bushel Community Food Co-operative “is a way to grow your growers,” said local grower Paula Anderson at the official launch last night.

The co-operative is made up of growers, consumers and community food organizers, helping bring everyone together to enjoy locally grown food, she said.

For complete article, please go to:  http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1502941

 

 

Growing Organic Agriculture

As I’m sure you probably already heard, the University of Guelph has voted to cut its Organic Agriculture Major.  This is the only Organic Agriculture Major in all of Canada.
The U of G Senate has agreed to hear from undergrad students concerned about the loss of the Major at its 5:30 PM meeting today, April 7, 2009.  I’m writing to encourage you to attend a Rally in support of the students who want to keep the Organic Agriculture Major today at 4:30 PM at the U of G cannon.  I will be there with a group of high school students who are concerned about the future of our food.
The decision to cut this important program comes at a time when demand for local and sustainably grown food is on the rise.  Young people (and not-so-young-people) from across Ontario are, once again, excited about the idea of farming. Children are begging parents for cooking lessons and are asking questions about where their food comes from.

Just yesterday, the McGuinty government pledged $24 million over the next three years to have provincial institutions buy and serve more locally grown foods.  http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/04/06/ontario-food.html?ref=rss The trouble is that organizations like Local Food Plus are already having trouble finding an adequate supply of local, sustainable food to meet the demand of the few institutional buyers that are already on board.  The real push now needs to be on making sure that there are enough farmers ready to meet the growing demand for local food.

While much of Ontario’s farmland is used to grow commodity crops that neither feed the people of Ontario nor provide adequate income for farmers and their families, the University continues to pump out agriculture graduates who have no interest in growing food.

The University of Guelph Major in Organic Agriculture offers a glimmer of hope to future farmers and researchers who are not willing to accept the notion that agriculture is dead.  There are exciting opportunities in agriculture today.  There are organic farmers who are making a living providing Ontario with nourishing food; we owe it to ourselves, our children and our communities to support their work.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope to see you this afternoon!

Guelph Mercury Article

Women’s studies and organic agriculture among those eliminated

March 31, 2009  The University of Guelph’s women’s studies program and the organic agriculture major, two programs that aroused the most outcry from the student body, have been eliminated.The senate board of undergraduate studies made the decision yesterday. For remainder of article, please visit http://news.guelphmercury.com/article/460102.

Shelburne Farm is a world leader in Farm Education!

Shelburne Farms

The ABC’S of Farm Education

If you want to learn more about the ins and outs of making school groups part of your farm plan, you should consider coming to this workshop.

DATES: April 3rd and 4th

PLACE: Everdale Farm: Hillsburgh, Ontario

To register contact: karen@everdale.org or 519-855-4859 x105

Join Shelburne Farms and Everdale Farm educators for two days of fun farm education! We will share exciting, hands-on ways to develop education programs for school groups and guests on your farm with easy-to-use activities from Project SEASONS.

Take these lessons, songs, exhibit ideas, and more back home and see how fun your farm can be for visitors. Whatever your farming background and whatever your farm, this workshop is for you! Discussion topics include marketing your farm program to schools and the community, creating a safe farm environment for the public, and meeting teachers’ needs.

Project SEASONS is a collection of seasonal, interdisciplinary activities and teaching ideas developed by teachers for the pre-K and elementary school classroom. Investigation and hands-on activities help students discover the agricultural and ecological world around them.

The Project SEASONS book includes:

· More than 147 activities using low-cost and easily found materials

· Learning objectives, grade ranging and time required for each lesson

· Accurate, lively information and thematic bibliography

· Activities easily adapted to on-farm visits.

Project Seasons

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Exploring the New Farm Dream course

April – June 2009, Guelph, $100

4 Thursday evenings & 3 Saturday farm tours

 

Thinking about starting your own farm business? Want to learn more about the opportunities and realities of farming? This is the course for you! 

To learn more about the course and to register visit 

HYPERLINK: http://www.farmstart.ca/exploring-the-new-farm-dream

 

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Ali English at

 HYPERLINK: ali@farmstart.ca or (519) 836 7046 ext 104

 

 

 

 

April 8^th, Guelph, 6pm – 9pm, free

 

Do you have land you want to make available to a new farmer? Or are you a new farmer looking for land? Come join us for an evening of matchmaking and information sharing!

This workshop will be held at the Bookshop’s eBar on 41 Quebec St in downtown Guelph. You’ll find a map and directions here. 

To learn more about the workshop and to register visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.farmstart.ca/workshops”

 

 

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Ali English at

 HYPERLINK:  ali@farmstart.ca or (519) 836 7046 ext 104

 

Crop Planning and Starting Seedlings for Beginning Market Gardeners

February 14th, 10am – 4pm, Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph, $25

 

Join Leslie Moskovits, 3 year CSA farmer, who will introduce some tips on how to plan your market garden – from deciding what to grow to scheduling your plantings and more!

 

For more information on this workshop, and to register, visit www.farmstart.ca/workshops