Workshops
Fruit Growing Workshops with Ken Taylor
Since the 1980's, Ken and Lorraine Taylor have pioneered several farm business ventures including a CSA, a certified organic farm food market, a seed company and a fruit tree nursery. Ken's science background led to many R&D projects, such as saving heritage genetics (Montreal melon, antique apples, etc) or breeding/selecting new fruit/veggie varieties better adapted to very extreme cold climates (-40 C). They were one of Canada's first organic fruit farms that has since evolved into a permaculture food forest .... also called agroforestry. For more info watch "Freedom Farming" video.
When: Saturday, June 4th
Where: at Persephone Market Garden, Conc Rd 3, #241063, Park Head (between Wiarton and Alvenley)
Cost: $50 (HST included, one session)
Contact and register: info@gbcae.com
Morning Session for Backyard Gardeners
Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Would you like to grow fruit at home but don't know how to transform the dream into reality? Come learn from Ken Taylor how to select the best varieties for all the locations around your home: those cool shady areas, hot sunny spots, wet or dry soils, along fences and walls, on patios/balconies and even indoors! Ken will also talk about how to take care of your plants and which varieties can be grown without sprays and other inputs.
Afternoon Session for Farmers
Time: 1:30 - 4:30 PM
Considering adding fruits to your farm line-up? Daunted by the challenge of trying to successfully match your site conditions with the needs of numerous perennial crops, as well as your market?! Come spend an afternoon with Ken Taylor and start putting the puzzle pieces together. The workshop will focus on orchard design for small-scale, diversified farms (including site considerations, choice of crops and varieties, basic crop care), with a focus on profitability and choosing varieties that have a high profit potential, rather than focusing on yield per acre.
Plant Auction
Time: 4:30 – 5:30 PM
We'll finish the day with a plant auction – so you won't leave with just ideas, but also plants! There will be a wide diversity of plants, with something for everyone.
Effective or Indigenous Microorganisms for soil health
Agroecological practices mimic nature for improving crop health and pest control. They also explore means to reduce or eliminate costs of agrochemicals by substituting these with natural remedies, knowledge, and farmer-to-farmer collaborative learning. Especially in the warm climates of developing countries with heavy pest pressure, farmers rely heavily on agroecological methods, which are increasingly recognized in the North for small and medium-scale production.
Chuck Mitchell, who moved here from Vermont after spending his life there within the organic agricultural revolution, has offered to host workshops in collaboration with the Grey Bruce Centre for Agroecology. Chuck is volunteering to lead workshops around the world, and continues to work as organic inspector in his retirement. This year, he was in Myarnmar and in Cuba... Chuck believes that everyone should have access to this knowledge for free, and materials updated for the Grey Bruce context will be given out at the workshops.
The workshops are about actually mixing tinctures and setting up barrels, to shorten the learning curve... and there will be a potluck afterwards. From trying mixes myself, I conclude that it is really worth going through the process with someone who has experience, because the devil is in the details. There is a charge of $15 at each workshop for materials. Participants will be able to take home a mixture for testing on their own farm. Please register at info@gbcae.com.
Effective or Indigenous Microorganisms for soil health
Date and Time: Monday, May 23rd, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Better Together Farm (http://www.bettertogetherfarms.ca)
316337 Highway 6, RR1, Chatsworth Ontario, N0H 1G0
This repeat workshop from last year will take place on Effective or rather Indigenous microorganisms. Basically on how to boost location-specific microbial diversity in soils in order to promote health. Indigenous organisms live in the forest litter, or in undisturbed old soils... many of them are anaerobic (thrive without or with very little oxygen, e.g. in wet pockets of the soil), including lactobacillus, others are of fungal nature...
Other repeat workshops:
- Compost teas (End of June, TBD)
- Application technology at market garden scale (July, Persephone Market Garden)
Agroecological practices mimic nature for improving crop health and pest control. They also explore means to reduce or eliminate costs of agrochemicals by substituting these with natural remedies, knowledge, and farmer-to-farmer collaborative learning. Especially in the warm climates of developing countries with heavy pest pressure, farmers rely heavily on agroecological methods, which are increasingly recognized in the North for small and medium-scale production.
Chuck Mitchell, who moved here from Vermont after spending his life there within the organic agricultural revolution, has offered to host workshops in collaboration with the Grey Bruce Centre for Agroecology. Chuck is volunteering to lead workshops around the world, and continues to work as organic inspector in his retirement. This year, he was in Myarnmar and in Cuba... Chuck believes that everyone should have access to this knowledge for free, and materials updated for the Grey Bruce context will be given out at the workshops.
The workshops are about actually mixing tinctures and setting up barrels, to shorten the learning curve... and there will be a potluck afterwards. From trying mixes myself, I conclude that it is really worth going through the process with someone who has experience, because the devil is in the details. There is a charge of $15 at each workshop for materials. Participants will be able to take home a mixture for testing on their own farm. Please register at info@gbcae.com.
Effective or Indigenous Microorganisms for soil health
Date and Time: Monday, May 23rd, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Better Together Farm (http://www.bettertogetherfarms.ca)
316337 Highway 6, RR1, Chatsworth Ontario, N0H 1G0
This repeat workshop from last year will take place on Effective or rather Indigenous microorganisms. Basically on how to boost location-specific microbial diversity in soils in order to promote health. Indigenous organisms live in the forest litter, or in undisturbed old soils... many of them are anaerobic (thrive without or with very little oxygen, e.g. in wet pockets of the soil), including lactobacillus, others are of fungal nature...
Other repeat workshops:
- Compost teas (End of June, TBD)
- Application technology at market garden scale (July, Persephone Market Garden)
Introduction to Beekeeping
Two-part course with Chuck Mitchell
This two-part course will provide an opportunity for participants to get into hives and work hands-on with bees, learn about the basics of beekeeping, and get organized to have their own hives in the spring of 2017.
Cost: Each workshop costs $20 per person. If you are registering for both workshops, then the cost is $30.
.
Contact and register: info@gbcae.com or call 519-935-3005
1. IN THE BEE YARD
This session will cover bee basics and provide an opportunity for participants to get into beehives. Please bring a veil if you have one. Maximum 10 participants. . Pre-registration is required by Friday, July 29h.
When: Saturday, August 6th (rain date Saturday August 13th)
Where: Farm near Walters Falls
Time: 3:00 – 6:00 PM
2. GETTING YOUR OWN HIVES
This session will provide participants with the information they need to set up their own hives the following spring. Pre-registration is required by Friday, October 28h.
When: Saturday, November 5th
Where: TBD, Walters Falls area
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Two-part course with Chuck Mitchell
This two-part course will provide an opportunity for participants to get into hives and work hands-on with bees, learn about the basics of beekeeping, and get organized to have their own hives in the spring of 2017.
Cost: Each workshop costs $20 per person. If you are registering for both workshops, then the cost is $30.
.
Contact and register: info@gbcae.com or call 519-935-3005
1. IN THE BEE YARD
This session will cover bee basics and provide an opportunity for participants to get into beehives. Please bring a veil if you have one. Maximum 10 participants. . Pre-registration is required by Friday, July 29h.
When: Saturday, August 6th (rain date Saturday August 13th)
Where: Farm near Walters Falls
Time: 3:00 – 6:00 PM
2. GETTING YOUR OWN HIVES
This session will provide participants with the information they need to set up their own hives the following spring. Pre-registration is required by Friday, October 28h.
When: Saturday, November 5th
Where: TBD, Walters Falls area
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Intensive Grazing for dairy and meat production
Sarah Flack's focus is on helping to create more farms with good organic and grass based management systems, which allow farmers to create positive change in their landscapes, livestock, check book and farm family quality of life. She has worked with dairy, beef, sheep, goat and poultry farms, and is experienced with both organic and non-organic farming systems.
Sarah has a unique approach, which is based on what she learned while consulting, teaching and writing on the topic since the early 90’s. She grew up on a family farm in Vermont, which used high stock density management intensive grazing (MIG) to successfully improve the productivity and ecological health of the land and livestock. She later studied Holistic Planned Grazing as well as the science behind pasture management in graduate school.
Sarah Flack is a consultant specializing in providing practical information on grass based and organic livestock production to farmers, organizations, institutions and individuals. She has a diverse background in sustainable agriculture, which includes both on-farm and academic experience. She is nationally known for her public speaking, workshops, books and numerous articles on a range of agricultural topics.
Sarah teaches workshops, writes articles and fact sheets and has produced videos and webinars. She is the author of Organic Dairy Production, and wrote the chapter on grazing management in The Organic Dairy Handbook – a comprehensive guide for the transition and beyond. She is also a co-author of Transitioning to Organic Dairy – a self assessment workbook, as well as many articles grass based and organic farming systems. She has written a new book on grass based livestock production which will be available from Chelsea Green Publishing in the spring of 2016.
Lunch will be served, please bring cash as this may be an extra cost.
When: Tuesday, August 2
Where: (tentative) Ventry Hill, Dundalk, Ontario
Time: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: ???
Contact and register: info@gbcae.com
Through the garden year to good food
In 2014, we offered a very successful series of workshops for home gardeners this year, starting in March and continuing monthly until October. For a full program and information on signing up check out: Gardening Workshops
This workshop series will not be offered in 2015 because we have a second baby and are busy enough... watch out for 2016! If you are interested in afternoon workshops, please contact info@gbcae.com.
In 2014, we offered a very successful series of workshops for home gardeners this year, starting in March and continuing monthly until October. For a full program and information on signing up check out: Gardening Workshops
This workshop series will not be offered in 2015 because we have a second baby and are busy enough... watch out for 2016! If you are interested in afternoon workshops, please contact info@gbcae.com.
Agroecology – An Ecosystem Approach to Farm Production
Agroecology is an approach to agri-food systems that is based on the principles of conserving and recycling resources by managing ecological relationships, adapting to local environments, diversify systems, and adopting a whole system perspective. This forum will use the agroecological lens. The panel will discuss challenges and opportunities to stimulating agroecology with a focus on disseminating knowledge and enabling policies.
Date: Wednesday, Nov 19, 2014
Time: 2:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Latornell Conservation Symposium, Aliston
More: http://www.latornell.ca
• What is agroecological farming? An overview.
Thorsten Arnold (GBCAE)
• Microbially Active Soils and Nutrient Cycling
Jeri Parrent (Ecologist)
• Agroecological Practices on an Organic Farm
Alvaro Venturelli (Plan B Organics Farm)
• Food Systems That Foster Agroecology
Kristine Hammel (GBCAE, President)
• Facilitator
Ryan Hayhurst (EFAO)
Agroecological Pest Management Workshop
Enough of pest damage? Do you spend too much on (organically approved or conventional) pesticides? We invite organic and conventional vegetable growers to participate in this extraordinary workshop. This workshop will help you understand to read your weeds and bugs, strengthen natural response mechanisms and immune systems of plants, and use suppressants. With practical exercises, it will teach you how to use weeds on your property and local minerals to make effective insecticide, fungicide and fertilizer. This workshop will promote an integrated strategy that meets organic regulations at virtually no cost.
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2014
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $80.00 per person (second member of the same farm:$50)
Location: Persephone Market Garden, www.persephonemarketgarden.ca
Concession Rd 3, #241063, Keppel Township/Park Head, RR 3 Allenford,
Ontario, N0H 1A0
(From HWY 21 northwards in Alvanley; then take second side road right/east)
This workshop is lead by Dr. Fulvio Gioanetto. Fulvio has learned pest management with Mexican organic smallholder farmers who cannot afford to purchase "permitted substances" but face strong pest pressure in a continuously warm climate. Fulvio has travelled to numerous places in South America and Europe to promote these knowledge-based, self-reliant methods that give farmers extensive independence from input industry. He currently works at the University of Toronto and at Plan B Organics, developing agroecological solutions for Southern Ontario.
Places are limited. We had good response, so please register early if you are interested. We would ask you to pre-pay at least 50% with your registration (we will only cash these after the workshop). Please send a check to the following address:
Grey Bruce Centre for Agroecology
RR3, Conc 3, #241063
Allenford, ON
N0H 1A0
Pollinator Observation & Monitoring Workshop
We will offer a free workshop for interested citizens, in which we provide an introduction to native pollinators, their habitat, ecology, and current threats. The workshop will then present a number of monitoring options that require different levels of involvement. Throughout the summer participants will test these monitoring options and provide feedback for refining them. The project will contribute many of the materials required by participants, thanks to the generous support of the TD Friends of the Environment foundation.
Date: June 28th
Time: 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Grey Sauble Conservation Authority
Board Room 237897 Inglis Falls Road, RR 4 Owen Sound, Ontario, N4K 5N6
The workshop is targeted at individuals or groups with some interest and experience in nature observation, such as gardening, bird watching, canoeing, or just an appreciation for the outdoors. If you want to learn more and be part of this initiative, please contact us via telephone (Thorsten, 519.935.3005) or email (pollinators@gbcae.com).
The number of participant is limited. If you are interested, please register by emailing pollinators@gbcae.com
For Complete Project Information, Go To >>
Regards,
The project team: Thorsten & Jeri
Agroecology is an approach to agri-food systems that is based on the principles of conserving and recycling resources by managing ecological relationships, adapting to local environments, diversify systems, and adopting a whole system perspective. This forum will use the agroecological lens. The panel will discuss challenges and opportunities to stimulating agroecology with a focus on disseminating knowledge and enabling policies.
Date: Wednesday, Nov 19, 2014
Time: 2:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Latornell Conservation Symposium, Aliston
More: http://www.latornell.ca
• What is agroecological farming? An overview.
Thorsten Arnold (GBCAE)
• Microbially Active Soils and Nutrient Cycling
Jeri Parrent (Ecologist)
• Agroecological Practices on an Organic Farm
Alvaro Venturelli (Plan B Organics Farm)
• Food Systems That Foster Agroecology
Kristine Hammel (GBCAE, President)
• Facilitator
Ryan Hayhurst (EFAO)
Agroecological Pest Management Workshop
Enough of pest damage? Do you spend too much on (organically approved or conventional) pesticides? We invite organic and conventional vegetable growers to participate in this extraordinary workshop. This workshop will help you understand to read your weeds and bugs, strengthen natural response mechanisms and immune systems of plants, and use suppressants. With practical exercises, it will teach you how to use weeds on your property and local minerals to make effective insecticide, fungicide and fertilizer. This workshop will promote an integrated strategy that meets organic regulations at virtually no cost.
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2014
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $80.00 per person (second member of the same farm:$50)
Location: Persephone Market Garden, www.persephonemarketgarden.ca
Concession Rd 3, #241063, Keppel Township/Park Head, RR 3 Allenford,
Ontario, N0H 1A0
(From HWY 21 northwards in Alvanley; then take second side road right/east)
This workshop is lead by Dr. Fulvio Gioanetto. Fulvio has learned pest management with Mexican organic smallholder farmers who cannot afford to purchase "permitted substances" but face strong pest pressure in a continuously warm climate. Fulvio has travelled to numerous places in South America and Europe to promote these knowledge-based, self-reliant methods that give farmers extensive independence from input industry. He currently works at the University of Toronto and at Plan B Organics, developing agroecological solutions for Southern Ontario.
Places are limited. We had good response, so please register early if you are interested. We would ask you to pre-pay at least 50% with your registration (we will only cash these after the workshop). Please send a check to the following address:
Grey Bruce Centre for Agroecology
RR3, Conc 3, #241063
Allenford, ON
N0H 1A0
Pollinator Observation & Monitoring Workshop
We will offer a free workshop for interested citizens, in which we provide an introduction to native pollinators, their habitat, ecology, and current threats. The workshop will then present a number of monitoring options that require different levels of involvement. Throughout the summer participants will test these monitoring options and provide feedback for refining them. The project will contribute many of the materials required by participants, thanks to the generous support of the TD Friends of the Environment foundation.
Date: June 28th
Time: 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Grey Sauble Conservation Authority
Board Room 237897 Inglis Falls Road, RR 4 Owen Sound, Ontario, N4K 5N6
The workshop is targeted at individuals or groups with some interest and experience in nature observation, such as gardening, bird watching, canoeing, or just an appreciation for the outdoors. If you want to learn more and be part of this initiative, please contact us via telephone (Thorsten, 519.935.3005) or email (pollinators@gbcae.com).
The number of participant is limited. If you are interested, please register by emailing pollinators@gbcae.com
For Complete Project Information, Go To >>
Regards,
The project team: Thorsten & Jeri
Workshops, courses and talks – an overview
In the following, please find a listing of courses planned within the topics of food systems, farm management, food distribution, market gardening, environment & ecology, impact assessment, home gardening, food preparation, and property assessment. Courses and talks will be offered during winter and on request.
For a complete listing and more information (description, presenters), Go To >>
Please contact us via phone (519 935 3005) or email (info@gbcae.com) for arranging details and for prices.
1. Food systems and Agroecology
Presentation
Agroecology – an introduction
Presentation
Agroecology of soils
Presentation
Agroecology of food systems
Presentation
Food production in a changing climate
Presentation
Agriculture and Empire
Presentation or workshop
Food hubs for sustainable farming
Presentation
Building Local Food Systems Opportunities, challenges, barriers
Presentation
Why buy organic
Presentation
Farmers markets: their role in business incubation and community development.
Presentation
Local organic food systems - Impacts on health, the environment and our society
Workshop
Introduction to agricultural economics
Presentation
Regulations impacting small scale food production, processing and marketing
Workshop, half day
Local Food Purchases by the Broader Public Sector Market
2. Farm Management
Workshop, half day
Selling Food to the Broader Public Sector Market
Workshop, 2 days
Introduction to agricultural economics
Presentation
Regulations impacting small scale food production, processing and marketing
Presentation
Small scale feather farming in a supply managed market
Presentation
Funding ecological projects on your farm
Workshop, full day
Software for the Market Garden and CSA
Workshop, full day
Benchmarking Vegetable Production for Production Clubs
Workshop
Greenhouse gas accounting of food distributors
Workshop, full day
Pollinator Habitat Assessment on your farm
3. Market and Home Gardening
Workshop, 2 days
Agroecology in the Market Garden
Workshop, full day
Cover Crops in the Market Garden
Workshop, full day
Intercropping in the Market Garden
Workshop, full day
Crop Rotation in the Market Garden
Workshop, full day
Tools, Techniques and Ergonomics for the Market Garden
Workshop, half day
Fruit orchards: Resurrecting old apple orchards
Workshop, half day
Fruit orchards: Summer pruning and tree management
Workshop series, 5 sessions
Soil and Soil Health
Workshop
Greenhouse gas accounting of food distributors
Workshop, full day
Pollinator Habitat Assessment on your farm
Workshop
Container Gardening for Food & Pollinators
Workshop series, 6 days
Through the garden year to good food
Workshop
Exploring Food Plants & Their Edible Parts
Workshop, full day
Creating a pollinator garden
4. Ecology, the environment and food
Presentation
Food production in a changing climate
Presentation
Local organic food systems - Impacts on health, the environment and our society
Workshop
Greenhouse gas accounting of food distributors
Presentation
Farm botany
Presentation, half day
The Kingdom of fungi
Presentation
Building bird habitat
Workshop, half day
Creating a pollinator garden
Workshop, half day
Pollinator Habitat Assessment on your farm
5. Food Preparation
Workshop series, 6 sessions
Cooking from Scratch: Healthy, efficient and delicious
Workshop series
What to do with your CSA basket
Workshop, half day
Pies and Tarts
Workshop, full day
Home-made cider
In the following, please find a listing of courses planned within the topics of food systems, farm management, food distribution, market gardening, environment & ecology, impact assessment, home gardening, food preparation, and property assessment. Courses and talks will be offered during winter and on request.
For a complete listing and more information (description, presenters), Go To >>
Please contact us via phone (519 935 3005) or email (info@gbcae.com) for arranging details and for prices.
1. Food systems and Agroecology
Presentation
Agroecology – an introduction
Presentation
Agroecology of soils
Presentation
Agroecology of food systems
Presentation
Food production in a changing climate
Presentation
Agriculture and Empire
Presentation or workshop
Food hubs for sustainable farming
Presentation
Building Local Food Systems Opportunities, challenges, barriers
Presentation
Why buy organic
Presentation
Farmers markets: their role in business incubation and community development.
Presentation
Local organic food systems - Impacts on health, the environment and our society
Workshop
Introduction to agricultural economics
Presentation
Regulations impacting small scale food production, processing and marketing
Workshop, half day
Local Food Purchases by the Broader Public Sector Market
2. Farm Management
Workshop, half day
Selling Food to the Broader Public Sector Market
Workshop, 2 days
Introduction to agricultural economics
Presentation
Regulations impacting small scale food production, processing and marketing
Presentation
Small scale feather farming in a supply managed market
Presentation
Funding ecological projects on your farm
Workshop, full day
Software for the Market Garden and CSA
Workshop, full day
Benchmarking Vegetable Production for Production Clubs
Workshop
Greenhouse gas accounting of food distributors
Workshop, full day
Pollinator Habitat Assessment on your farm
3. Market and Home Gardening
Workshop, 2 days
Agroecology in the Market Garden
Workshop, full day
Cover Crops in the Market Garden
Workshop, full day
Intercropping in the Market Garden
Workshop, full day
Crop Rotation in the Market Garden
Workshop, full day
Tools, Techniques and Ergonomics for the Market Garden
Workshop, half day
Fruit orchards: Resurrecting old apple orchards
Workshop, half day
Fruit orchards: Summer pruning and tree management
Workshop series, 5 sessions
Soil and Soil Health
Workshop
Greenhouse gas accounting of food distributors
Workshop, full day
Pollinator Habitat Assessment on your farm
Workshop
Container Gardening for Food & Pollinators
Workshop series, 6 days
Through the garden year to good food
Workshop
Exploring Food Plants & Their Edible Parts
Workshop, full day
Creating a pollinator garden
4. Ecology, the environment and food
Presentation
Food production in a changing climate
Presentation
Local organic food systems - Impacts on health, the environment and our society
Workshop
Greenhouse gas accounting of food distributors
Presentation
Farm botany
Presentation, half day
The Kingdom of fungi
Presentation
Building bird habitat
Workshop, half day
Creating a pollinator garden
Workshop, half day
Pollinator Habitat Assessment on your farm
5. Food Preparation
Workshop series, 6 sessions
Cooking from Scratch: Healthy, efficient and delicious
Workshop series
What to do with your CSA basket
Workshop, half day
Pies and Tarts
Workshop, full day
Home-made cider