All posts by Dana Penrice

Opportunity: Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market Looking for Vendors

Posted by Dana Penrice on April 22, 2019

Congrats to the Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market as they move to a new location and year-round market! Looking forward to the opportunities for farmers and food lovers in this new space! If you are interested in becoming a vendor check out the information below. We are excited to announce that the Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market is looking for farmers, producers, artisans, bakers, growers and creative people to join us at the market! Outdoor Market If you are interested in participating outdoors this summer (2019), you can complete the application form here: 2019 EDFM Vendor Application. Please note that priority will be given to applicants … Continue reading Opportunity: Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market Looking for Vendors →

YA Alberta Online Auction Fundraiser

Posted by Dana Penrice on April 04, 2019 1 Comment

SOLD! Our first Young Agrarians Spring Fundraiser has wrapped up, and we have reached our fundraising goal, plus some! This auction was a heckofalotta fun to put on, and it’s thanks to awesome farmers and friends like you that it was such a success. We are already excited for next year!! A GIANT thank you to our bidders and the farmers who donated their time and skills to our auction. We are thrilled that there was such an incredible response, but no surprise there – you’re really awesome! Got the spring farm auction fever? Get your fix and support Young Agrarians Alberta through … Continue reading YA Alberta Online Auction Fundraiser →

Job: Alberta Farm Fresh Producers, Admin & Marketing Position

Posted by Dana Penrice on March 28, 2019

The Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association is seeking candidates for an Administration and Marketing Director position. Job Description Reporting to the President of AFFPA, you will be responsible for general administration and office management, communicating with members and the general public and managing ad hoc and recurring AFFPA projects. In addition, this position is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring work is completed within approved budgets. This would be deemed to be a 60% position spread through out the year, working from your home office. For a complete job description please contact Willard de Wilde at skyviewacres2007@gmail.com and … Continue reading Job: Alberta Farm Fresh Producers, Admin & Marketing Position →

Organic Vegetable Seed Production Course

Posted by Dana Penrice on March 10, 2019

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PRODUCING ORGANIC SEEDS? WANT TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION, HARVESTING, QUALITY, MARKETING, BREEDING AND MORE? WANT TO BUILD YOUR OWN BUSINESS FOLLOWING YOUR OWN UNIQUE SEED-FARM BUSINESS PLAN? IF SO, THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU! In partnership with USC Canada through The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security, COG is excited to open registration for Canada’s only intermediate-level Organic Vegetable Seed Production e-learning certificate! This 22-week program runs April 8th – November 1st, 2019 (with a summer break from July 9th – September 2nd). Designed with flexibility, this certificate program will be delivered in a part-time blended format featuring live, online instruction … Continue reading Organic Vegetable Seed Production Course →

Alberta Young Agrarians Meet with Agriculture Minister

Posted by Dana Penrice on March 07, 2019

On March 5th, young farmers from across Alberta came to the Legislature in Edmonton to meet with Honourable Oneil Carlier, Minister of Agriculture. In attendance were Blake Hall of Prairie Gold Meats (Red Deer, AB), Ian Griebel of Redtail Farms (Castor, AB), Lilli Klamke of Nature’s Way Farm (Grimshaw, AB), Ryan Mason of Reclaim Urban Organics (Pigeon Lake, AB), Moira Watson of Fork in the Rowed Farm (Lethbridge, AB) and Dana Penrice, Young Agrarians Alberta Program Manager. We met with the minister, Assistant Deputy Minister Dave Burdek and Ministerial Assistant Epiphany Dober. Young Agrarians shared some of what we are learning … Continue reading Alberta Young Agrarians Meet with Agriculture Minister →

March 18: Mentor Training Session

Posted by Dana Penrice on February 28, 2019

Are you an experienced farmer looking to mentor the next generation of ecological farmers in Alberta? Develop your mentoring skills and learn how to support aspiring and new farmers during Young Agrarians’ Mentor Training Session. When: March 18, 2019, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm MST Where: Conference call + Webinar, call-in and login details to follow Who: Young Agrarians Prairie Coordinator Dana Penrice will be leading the session along with YA Alberta Coordinator Kolby Peterson. Cost: Free Register in advance for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/38a8af70c54430a6cde7dc3c8da9331e After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. To call … Continue reading March 18: Mentor Training Session →

YA Apprenticeship: Reflections from Steel Pony Farm, Red Deer AB

Posted by Dana Penrice on February 25, 2019

Ohhhhhh the farm! When I think about my time spent as an apprentice at Steel Pony Farm, my heart just warms right up and my face turns into this expansive grin. It was seriously the best time. I’m stoked to have the chance to say a few words about it! Apprenticing at Steel Pony Farm was my first real exposure to farm labour, and the daily ins and outs of operating a small vegetable farm. I specifically remember one afternoon early in the season, when Mike and I were setting up a hose and pump at our water source (a … Continue reading YA Apprenticeship: Reflections from Steel Pony Farm, Red Deer AB →

YA Apprenticeship: First Nature Farms – Goodfare, AB

Posted by Dana Penrice on February 19, 2019

Are you an aspiring farmer looking to gain experience on a mixed, long-time-organic farm? Are you wanting to learn about a mixed livestock operation and heritage breeds? First Nature Farms is offering a unique apprenticeship; join their team! About the Farm First Nature Farms is surrounded by land held within ecological reserves of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited, crown land, and other organic neighbours. The 3000 acres of aspen forest, creeks, beaver ponds, pastures and farmland hold a rich diversity of both wildlife and wilderness, and domesticated species. Organic since 1990 and WWOOF hosts for almost as long, the … Continue reading YA Apprenticeship: First Nature Farms – Goodfare, AB →

YA Apprenticeship: Reflections from The Homestead, Goodfare AB

Posted by Dana Penrice on February 15, 2019

Donovan and Lisa live in symbiosis with their environment. They create very familiar boundaries with their animals and raise them with respect, passion and patience. They are in love with nature and they are farmers not only through their job, but also through their whole way of living. Their courage, their determination led them to take a great step forward by starting their own organic farm, off the grid. They are pioneers. But more than being passionate farmers, they are humans. Their generosity, their kindness make them wonderful hosts for Wwoofers and apprentices. They transmit their skills, learning-by-doing, and radiate … Continue reading YA Apprenticeship: Reflections from The Homestead, Goodfare AB →

YA Apprenticeship: Reflections from Nature’s Way Farm, Grimshaw AB

Posted by Dana Penrice on February 12, 2019

First of all, I have to thank Young Agrarians for asking me to share my story. I truly believe in what they are doing and if the world is still a nice place to live, then it is because there are people like them. My journey in Canada, and precisely in the Peace Country started on March 4th, 2017. After I became an agronomist I felt empty, without any goals, and everything around me looked too complicated and overwhelming to find my way. At that point I thought, “Ok Angelo, it’s time to take the risk and see how others … Continue reading YA Apprenticeship: Reflections from Nature’s Way Farm, Grimshaw AB →