Workshops & Courses
We offer workshops and courses on a wide range of topics to help you develop the wide range of skills necessary to run a successful farm – from practical production to business planning.
We strive to develop training opportunities in response to your needs. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have suggestions for workshop topics!
Upcoming
Weed Management for Small to Mid Scale Organic Vegetable Production
Knowing how to control weeds is one of the most important skills needed for successful organic vegetable production. Organic vegetable farming requires a diverse and very proactive approach to weed control. You can avoid the constant scramble to save crops from weeds by understanding important concepts and techniques in weed control and by having a plan in place before you put the crop in the ground. Topics to be covered include weed identification, timing and mulching, tools and equipment, soil management and cover cropping for weed control, and much more!
Introduction to Pastured Poultry
Join us for this very popular workshop offered by Tarrah Young from Green Being Farm. Tarrah, who raises chickens and turkeys on pasture, will explain her system from day-old chicks and poults to the finished product. Topics to be covered include brooder design, feed requirements, bird health, marketing, and calculating sale prices based on the cost of production.
Where: Green Being Farm, Neustadt.
To register: Click Here.
Introduction to Pastured Pigs
Join Tarrah Young of Green Being Farm as she shares lessons from her own experiences raising heritage pigs on pasture, as well as innovative and valuable information gleaned from research abroad. Topics to be covered include feeding and grazing options, natural health care, farrowing, breed selection, processing, marketing and economics.
When: Sunday July 22, 2012, 9:30am – 4:30pm
Where: Green Being Farm, Neustadt.
Cost: $95 +HST per person or $170 + HST for a team of two
To register: Click Here.
Please note: There are no cash refunds for workshops, which require preregistration. Registrants who give a minimum 72 hours notice of a cancellation will receive a voucher in the amount of the workshop fee paid, less a 15% administrative fee. The voucher can be applied to any other FarmStart workshop, course or farm tour. Vouchers must be redeemed within one year (12 months) of the date of the cancellation.
Regular Offerings
The following course are offered at various times through out the year. Dates and locations will be added to this site as announced. Please sign up to our bulletin mailing list to be kept notified of upcoming workshops.
Crop Planning for Vegetable Growers
This workshop is based on the recent publication from Canadian Organic Growers (COG), Crop Planning for Organic Vegetable Growers, by Frédéric Thériault and Daniel Brisebois. The workshop takes an in-depth look at developing and implementing a crop plan: from setting financial goals and calculating crop quantities, to analyzing harvest and sales data for improving next year’s plan. Activities and discussions will enable participants to better understand the process of crop planning and how it can help make their farm businesses more efficient and profitable. An absolutely essential workshop for every market gardener!
Introduction to Tools and Supplies for Market Garden Efficiency
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 us 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.
The Dirt on Soil
The root of all life, including human life, is in the soil. In this workshop, 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!
The second half of the workshop will be spent, weather cooperating, at FarmStart’s McVean Incubator Farm just around the corner, for some hands-on learning! Come prepared to spend time outdoors with boots, warm clothing and rain gear.
Buying A Farm: Planning Ahead for Farm Ownership
Do you have the dream of buying a farm? If so, the earlier you begin to
research and plan for it, the better! 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. This workshop will help demystify the
process of purchasing a farm, and help you decide if this is the right
choice for you.
Topics to be covered will include:
- Setting priorities on what to look for in a farm, and where to look
- Financing: 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 and learning the lingo (ex: signbacks, amendments, chattels)
- Who you need on your team (ex: mortgage broker, real estate agent, lawyer, home inspector)
This workshop will help demystify the process of purchasing a farm, and
help you decide if this is the right choice for you.
- Monthly Training & Events Bulletin click here
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