The Essentials Agriculture Course will be coming to Kingston on November 8th and 9th, 2013 for the first time since it was establish back in 1984. The course is being sponsored by the Ecological Farmers of Ontario (EFAO) and facilitated by Tim Aubin of Aubin Famrs and Ian Stutt of Patchwork Gardens.
Local farming communities face many regional challenges and so it is important that local farmers can share their practical knowledge and learn more about ecological agriculture in an environment with their peers so as to build strength in their communities. This course enables them to do just that.
Basic crop rotation, soil biology and fertility, weed control, manure management and livestock husbandry will be some of the topics covered in the course. More details about the event and online registration are available at efao.ca/upcoming-events.
Founded in 1984, the Ecological Farmers of Ontario was designed to share skills and knowledge about ecological agriculture throughout the region. During the organization’s first year in operation, it held a two-day Essentials Course on animal health, soil building, composting, crop rotation and other basic principles of ecological agriculture. Organizers have said that the course was planned in less than a month, yet the Arnow School House in Huron County was filled with 100 attendees that year. The course is now offered by the EFAO on an annual basis and has been adapted by farmers experienced in ecological agriculture.
There are now almost 500 member farms in the EFAO in the province of Ontario. The EFAO is still engaged in providing educational materials for farmers that are both accessible and relevant.
The two day course will be held on Friday November 8 (9:30 am – 4:30 pm) and Saturday November 9 (9:30 am – 4:30 pm) at the Kingston-Frontenac Library: Central Branch. The cost to attend is $140.00 for EFAO members and $200 for non-members. Visit their website for more information.
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Photo (tractor w. tilt-shift effect): Raúl Hernández González (cc)