The FarmON Alliance is hosting a New Farmers Forum on Saturday November 7th in Lindsay at the Frost Campus of Fleming College. The program runs 11a.m. – 4 p.m. and includes lunch, with coffee and networking at 10.30 a.m. This event is jointly sponsored by the Kawartha Heritage Conservancy’s Farmlands program, regional partner in the Alliance for central Ontario, and Fleming College’s Co-op Program in Sustainable Agriculture. Pre-registration is required.
The forum is an opportunity to network and discuss strategies for training and re-training farmers for economically viable, locally-oriented agriculture. New farmers of all ages (up to ten years in business), as well as those considering a new direction for their farm business, are all welcome. Findings from this regional meeting will contribute to a province-wide assessment of training needs and the strategies required to address them.
New and “restrategizing” farmers are also encouraged to complete an online survey at http://tinyurl.com/FarmerTrainingSurvey which will contribute valuable insight in this process.
Sean McGivern, of Grass Roots Organics in Grey Bruce, will lead the day’s discussion with a fascinating account of growing his 1000 acre highly diversified operation. Producing livestock and crops to supply local markets, he has found ways of working successfully within existing systems as well as developing innovative marketing strategies.
To pre-register, or to be notified of future events and opportunities, contact Anna Petry, New Farmer Co-ordinator, Kawartha Heritage Conservancy at
apetry@kawarthaheritage.org or tel: 705-740-9383.
The event is free, but a $5 contribution to lunch and refreshments is requested. Pre-registration is required by November 3rd at the latest.
The Kawartha Heritage Conservancy is a locally-based charity dedicated to conserving the natural and cultural heritage and distinctive landscapes of the Kawartha bioregion. The Conservancy’s Farmlands Program works with local farmers toward an economically and ecologically sustainable future for farming, and to keep farmland in active production. Visit the Conservancy’s website at www.kawarthaheritage.org.
The FarmON Alliance has a mandate to support and encourage a new generation of farmers to develop locally-based, ecologically-sound and economically-viable agricultural enterprises. The Alliance gratefully acknowledges funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation Future Fund.
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