Winter Events!
Scaling up: An Introduction to Artisanal Chicken Production
February 7, 2017 | 1PM-4PM | $30/person | Peterborough Area
This workshop will give you an overview of the new Artisanal Chicken Program that permits production of 600 to 3000 birds in Ontario. Hear from OMAFRA's Poultry Specialist and from farmers about their experiences with the Program in its first year. For more information and to register visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/scaling-up-an-introduction-to-artisanal-chicken-production-tickets-30166607134 or email coordinator@farmsatwork.ca or call 705 743 7671
OMAFRA Soil Survey Project - Presentation
February 16th, 2017 | 6PM-10PM | Douro Community Centre | Peterborough
OMAFRA has begun to update Ontario soil maps and land classifications. Peterborough County is one of the areas targeted for early work, which commenced this fall. Many landowners and farmers offered their properties for soil assessment. Come out and hear more about this project, and what the OMAFRA Soils Team has learned thus far about Peterborough County's soils. Funding provided by Growing Forward 2. Co-hosts for the meeting are OMAFRA, Farms at Work, and Peterborough Ec Dev Agricultural Advisory Committee. To register for this free event visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/omafra-soil-survey-project-tickets-30166634215
Garlic Pest Research Presentation
Saturday March 4, 2017 | 1:30-3PM | Lions Club Community Centre | Peterborough Area
Learn about the outcomes of a 3-year community-based research project--a collaboration between the Haliburton County Garlic Growers Association, Haliburton County Farmers' Market, and U-links. For more information and to register visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/garlic-pest-research-presentation-tickets-30166654275
Applications are Open for 2017 Field Courses
Farms at Work offers a variety of production field courses. These are curriculum-based, multi-day training programs in which expert farmers and trainers work with small groups of learners throughout a farming season. They include beekeeping, sheep production, and maple syrup production. More are coming soon-- so stay tuned. For more information visit www.farmsatwork.ca/field-courses or call 705 743 7671
Other News and Events
The 2016 Pollinator Health Action Plan is Here!
Ontario's Pollinator Health Action Plan was release December 15th, 2016! The plan shows government and stakeholders' work towards the improvement of pollinator health in Ontario, and highlights Farms at Work on page 23! To learn more and to read the plan visit: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/pollinator/action_plan.htm
Getting Livestock Research into Practice
Tuesday January 17, 2017 | 10AM-1PM | Holiday Inn-waterfront- George St. | Peterborough
This meeting is a response to producer feedback noting that better communication is needed from government and industry to keep producers current on new livestock industry research. This workshop is hosted by the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) and OMAFRA, who are looking for your input. Lunch is provided. Please RSVP to scazzola@livestockresearch.ca or 519 821 2960 x226
36th Annual Guelph Organic Conference & Trade Show
January 26-29, 2017 | Guelph University Centre, Guelph
Register now for early bird pricing which ends Jan. 10th at 5pm! The conference will cover topics from market garden training, soil fertility and crop rotation, organic livestock production, bees and pollinators, to consumer organic gardening tips and much much more! Don't miss it. For more information and to register visit https://guelphorganicconf.ca/
Agricultural Water Workshops- Dealing with Drought
Jan. 30 + 31, 2017 | 9:30AM-3PM | Batawa and Fenelon Falls Community Centres | $20/person including lunch
Did you experience water shortages or concerns about sufficient water during the 2016 drought? These workshops will help to understand the water cycle, water taking options, ground-water/well considerations in dry periods, alternative watering systems as well as considerations for retaining surface water on your property. There are two workshops. One in Batawa (Jan 30th) and one in Fenelon Falls (Jan 31st). Please register before Jan 24th at the following Eventbrite pages or phone numbers: Batawa (519 837 1326) or Fenelon Falls (705 324 9411 x 1208).
24th Annual Kawartha Woodlot Conference & Trade Show
February 11, 2017 | 8:30AM-3:30PM | Fleming College, Lindsay | $25 registration or $15 for students which includes parking and lunch
The Conference theme 'Healthy Forest, Healthy Community' will cover a broad range of topics from understanding woodlots as part of the local natural heritage system to a fun, interactive presentation on getting to know your 'neighbourhood'. Technical sessions will address topics relating to invasive species and pests, plantation thinning, Species at Risk in your woodlot, wild pollinators and woodlot management planning using Kawarthas, Naturally Connected. For more information and to register visit KawarthaConservation.com/woodlot2017
Eco Farm Day 2017
February 25, 2017 | Ramada Inn Cornwall 805 Brookdale Ave. | Cornwall
The theme of the day is "The 3 Rs of Organic Agriculture: Restorative, Responsible, Resilient" with key note speaker Mark Shepard of New Forest Farm. Other sessions include: Agro-forestry & water management, the Farmersville Community Abattoir, outdoor mushroom cultivation on organic farms, women organic farmers, dealing with perennial weeds, crop planning & records management, small fruit production, and much more! For more information contact ecofarmday@cog.ca or 613-487-2257
37th Annual East Central Ontario Farm Show
March 8-9, 2017 | Commonwell Exhibition Building, Lindsay| $5/person admission, OSCIA members are free
2017 Farmland Forum-The Future of Farming and Farmland Protection in Ontario
Thursday March 30th, 2017 | 8:30-4PM | Mariposa Conference Centre | Orillia
Topics include "Protecting Farmland in Ontario from a National Perspective" and "Shifting Farmland Ownership & the Future of Farming in Ontario". For more information visit www.ontariofarmlandtrust.ca. To reserve your seat, contact Krista at 519 824 4120 x52654 or info@ontariofarmlandtrust.ca