Fall News and Events

New! Farm Business Planning Program

November-February \ Peterborough Ontario

Best Practices for Harvesting and Cleaning Seed Workshop - Next Monday

On September 26th, join us for a workshop at Urban Harvest for the opportunity to learn seed-harvesting and cleaning techniques from Urban Harvest owner and experienced seed-saver, Collette Murphy, and Jill Bishop from Urban Tomato.  Urban Harvest has been harvesting and selling seed for nearly 20 years and offers over 100 kinds of seed!  For more information and to register visit www.kawarthaseedsaving.eventbrite.ca or email info@farmsatwork.ca

Special Opportunity for New Women Farmers! Advancing Women Conference EAST  - Deadline Next Week

Farms at Work is pleased to announce a unique opportunity that will provide the first 15 new and beginning female farmers operating for less than 5 years with a partial registration to the Advancing Women Conference on Tuesday October 4th. Included is lunch and the afternoon session for a registration price of $166.70 including HST. This afternoon program includes a 1.5 hour panel of five experienced women farmers - including four from Ontario. Use the registration form found here and submit to Event Iris Meck at events@irismeck.com or call 403-686-8407.
For more information about the conference visit www.advancingwomenconference.ca/2016east/index.html

Local Food Month Peterborough - September 2016

The City and County of Peterborough is celebrating the second year of Local Food Month, organized by Farms at Work and Transition Town Peterborough!  This year's festivities include more than 25 public tours and events of interest to the whole family, including a series of "Open Farm" tours for the public to get a peek behind the scenes of local farms. Visit www.localfoodmonthptbo.ca. Plan to attend at least one event and participate in the Eat Local Challenge! Purple Onion Festival this Sunday.

Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre Tour

Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre (OAFVC) supports fresh fruit and vegetable processing and value-adding opportunities to increase farm revenue. As of this fall, it also offers pelletizing, packaging and storage for hops!!  The tour is free, and has been arranged by Farms at Work to coincide with the Local Food Conference in Belleville the previous day.  All are welcome. To register, visit www.oafvc.ca/content/book-tour and fill out the "Book a Tour" form. Numbers are limited so register early.

Other Events & Opportunities

Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program (SARFIP) Project Bus Tour

Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) invite you to join them on a farm tour in the Kawartha Lakes Region that will showcase 3 farms and the variety of projects that have been completed through the SARFIP program. Tour stops include a rotational grazing system, improved stream crossing, and wetland restoration.  Lunch provided.  For more information or to register contact Laura Van Vliet at (226) 706-8668 or lvanvliet@ontariosoilcrop.org

Gallagher Open House Nights: Sunderland Co-operative-Peterborough and Sunderland locations

Join the Co-op staff and a Gallagher rep for an evening of information and help regarding new and existing fencing plans, Gallagher products, and the Hydro One 'Save on Energy' grant for upgrading old water bowls to new energy efficient ones.  For more info, contact numbers above.

Clean Farms Obsolete Pesticide/Medication Collection - Oakwood and Trenton

Do you have any unwanted agricultural pesticide or livestock/equine medications lying around?  It is time to dispose of them safely and for free at the Sunderland Co-operative Oakwood Agricultural Centre or TCO Agromart in Trenton. For more information, call 877-622-4460 or visit http://www.cleanfarms.ca/documents/ON_poster_OBS_2016.pdf 

Environmental Farm Plan Workshops - Sunderland and Lindsay

Interested in doing an Environmental Farm Plan for your farm?  There are two workshops starting soon in the Sunderland (October 5 10AM-3PM) and Lindsay (October 6 10AM-3PM).  To see dates for other locations and for more info, visit http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/oscia-programs/workshops-webinars/environmental-farm-plan/.  An Environmental Farm Plan within the past five years is required for GF2 funding applications that relate to steardship /environmental improvements.

Are your Growing Forward 2 Applications Ready?

The next intake window for the Growing Forward 2 (GF2) funding applications is coming up between October 14-November 3.  If you are thinking of doing an on farm project you may be eligible for some grant money to help you out.  There are even webinars coming up on October 4, 12, and 17th on how to complete a GF2 application.  Check out the program here http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/oscia-programs/growing-forward-2/. Make sure you have attended any required workshops before applying.

Woodlot Management Workshop - Peterborough Stewardship Council

Come out and explore the beautiful Dance Property through a guided walking tour organized by the Peterborough County Stewardship Council.  You will learn basic tree ID and invasive species ID that will help you manage your property.  We will also be providing you with basic control measures should you find invasive species on your property.  At the end of the tour you are invited to participate in a tree planting session on the property (optional).  For more information or to register:  www.eventbrite.ca/e/peterborough-county-stewardship-council-landowner-workshop-tickets-27773641710

Free Training for Integrated Pest Management Course - Peterborough

October 18, 2016 \ Peterborough

Ontario is offering the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) course for corn and soybeans.  The course will cover pest ID, plant based management practices, new regulation requirements for Class 12 pesticides and pollinator protection from neonicotinoid exposure.  This course is required for anyone to buy and use neonicotinoid treated corn or soybean seed.  The course is offered in class and online.  For more information, other dates, and to register visit  http://www.ipmcertified.ca/index.cfm/courses/

OSCIA Biosecurity Workshop - Livestock

This free one-day workshop has an experienced veterinarian to show you the benefits of having an on-farm biosecurity program and identify key practices which will help you improve biosecurity on your farm.  For other dates and locations, or to register visit: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/oscia-programs/workshops-webinars/biosecurity-webinar/

Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference 2016

This year's conference, organized by OMAFRA, will be exploring what we can do today to maintain and enhance the resilience of our local food systems through uncertain times ahead, as well as the strong role that local food can play in buffering these challenges.  For more information, visit  http://ontarioeast.ca/events/eastern-ontario-local-food-conference-2016

3rd Annual Ecological Farmers of Ontario Conference - in Kingston this year

This year's theme is Resilient Agriculture: Our Soils, Our Systems, Ourselves. Join over 300 ecological growers and supporters from across Ontario and beyond for an incredible three days packed full of practical farmer training, networking, opportunities, and celebration! For more information or to register visit: conference.efao.ca or call 1-877-822-8606