Mark Your Calendars!
Native Pollinator Field WalkWhen: Monday August 11, 2014 | 8:00am Start Time Pollination biologist, Susan Chan will be leading a field walk at Buckhorn Berry Farm to observe the nesting and foraging habits of the squash bee (Peponapis pruinosa), a native pollinator of pumpkins and squashes. Join us as we examine active squash bee ground nests and learn first-hand how to identify squash bees and their nests. For pumpkin and squash growers, this tour will be especially useful as these bees are specialist pollinators of Cucurbita crops. This means they are the most efficient and important agents of pollination for Cucurbita crops this side of the pumpkin patch! Whether you've got five plants or five acres, if you're growing pumpkins or squash, you'll benefit greatly from hearing Susan speak about the pollination systems of pumpkin and squash plants. You'll also learn some effective strategies for fostering and encouraging more squash bees on your own property. Please RSVP by Friday August 8th: (705) 743-7671 | jay@farmsatwork.ca |
DIY Seed Cleaning Equipment WorkshopWhen: Wednesday August 27th, 2014 | 1:00pm - 4:00pm |
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Dan Brittain, of The Cottage Gardener, will be leading this hands-on workshop on how to build your own open-source design seed cleaner. Used by small-scale growers across North America and Europe, this winnower is ideal for cleaning small-seeded crops (e.g. brassicas, peppers, onions, herbs, and flowers) by removing chaff in an efficient and effective manner. For more information on this workshop and to register, please visit www.diyseedequipment.eventbrite.ca. Pre-registration is required as space is limited to 15 people. If there is enough interest, a second session for the same day will be opened up. There are only a few tickets left, so registrer soon! If you are unable to register because the session is full, please send an email to jay@farmsatwork.ca. |
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New Farmer Social NightWhen: Saturday September 6, 2014 | 8:00pm |
| Calling all farmers! Come on out and enjoy a mid-season Saturday night for an evening of music and socializing with the new farmer community of east central Ontario. Musical appearances by farm band, The Sandy Pockets, who are sure to get your toes a-tapping. For more details, contact jay@farmsatwork.ca | (705) 743-7671. |
Northumberland Niche Processing Facility TourWhen: Saturday November 22, 2014 | Time: TBA Join us as we tour the brand new Northumberland Niche Food Processing Facility in Colborne, ON. Designed to extend the seasonality of fruit and vegetable products from across the region with packaging and freezing processes, this new facility will allow farmers to explore secondary sources of income through cost-effective, value-added production. Contact jay@farmsatwork.ca | (705) 743-7671 to receive updated details on this exciting tour as they become available. |
Ecological Farmers of Ontario Conference 2014When: December 5-6 2014 |
Presented by EFAO in partnership with FarmStart, Farms at Work and EverdaleTo celebrate the EFAO's 35th Anniversary, they're launching their first annual conference. You can expect 200 participants on beautiful Lake Couchiching with over 30 intermediate and advanced level workshops on market gardening, livestock, soil health, seed saving, field crops and more! Help us shape this conference! Here's how you can participate:What do you want to learn about? Who do you want to hear from? Program Ideas: Click here to send along your ideas for workshop topics and speakers! Artwork: Help us launch this conference in style! We’re requesting proposals for artwork to illustrate this year’s conference website and program cover with the theme: “EFAO’s 35th Anniversary”. Deadline for completed artwork is August 17th, 2014. To get in touch, contact Conference Organizer Ali English (ali@efao.ca | (519) 835-7046). Keep an eye on the EFAO website as updates for this exciting conference unfold. In the meantime, tell your friends, send along your ideas and save the date! If you’re an ecological farmer in Ontario, this is the event of the year you won’t want to miss. |
Find Local Food |
| Help us shorten the local food value chain in east central Ontario. Wholesale purchasers (think restaurants, resorts/hotels, schools, etc.) are looking for more locally produced food for their menus. If you're interested in expanding into wholesale markets, you should sign up today to receive Request for Local Food Notifications as they are posted. This new service is completely free to use, and will provide you with access to the dozens of food service providers in our region that are crying for more local food on their menus! |
The University of Guelph Wants Your Input on Food Safety |
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The University of Guelph is conducting a study to find out how your business manages food safety controls and the challenges you face in doing so. The results will help design and build programs to support YOUR farm business. To be heard, please visit: Bit.ly/SafeFood1 |