All posts by Dana Penrice

ALBERTA FARMERS: Complete this Survey and Win YA Swag!

Posted by Dana Penrice on July 16, 2019

Calling all Alberta farmers involved in farm succession and transition!!! Complete a short survey to help us better understand the needs of young farmers (40 and under) in Alberta who are taking over farm operations. Fill out the survey and enter to win a $50 for Peavey Mart, a Young Agrarians ball cap and t-shirt! This survey is being conducted by Julia Buckingham, a Master’s student at the American University of Rome. She is seeking responses to the survey as well as people interested in taking part in more in-depth interviews. More information is available on the introductory page of the survey, or you … Continue reading ALBERTA FARMERS: Complete this Survey and Win YA Swag! →

Short Film: Counting on a New Crop

Posted by Dana Penrice on July 12, 2019

Can two unconventional friends keep a decades-old family farm from disappearing? COUNTING ON A NEW CROP is a short documentary directed by Brina Romanek, produced in partnership with CBCShort Docs. The film follows best friends, Sixty-six-year-old farmer Jim Giffen and quiet, 23 year-old electrician, Jonas they struggle to keep Edencrest Farm alive. Before Giffen met Jon, he feared he would lose Edencrest Farms, a staple in the Minesing community since the early1900s. With his four children uninterested in the family business, the question of who would take over the property was looming and the idea that he would have no … Continue reading Short Film: Counting on a New Crop →

July 30, 2019: EDMONTON, AB – From Seed to Sourdough: Plant Breeding for Low Input Systems

Posted by Dana Penrice on July 10, 2019

Learn about the selection process, organic wheat agronomy, and the traits farmers, buyers, and bakers are looking for. The day will feature new research from the University of Manitoba Participatory Plant Breeding program and a tour of new organically-bred wheat varieties and farmer-bred wheat lines. Speakers: Michelle Carkner, Natural Systems Agriculture Lab, University of Manitoba Ward Middleton, Midmore Farms and Farmer Breeder Kaelin Whittaker, Real Bread Alberta When: Tuesday, July 30, 2019 | 1:00PM to 4:30PM | $10 Where: University of Alberta Research Farm, Edmonton, AB For more information and to register contact info@organicalberta.org or call 587-521-2400

July 20, 2019: Edmonton, AB – Picture a Farmer Film Screening

Posted by Dana Penrice on July 08, 2019

We are excited to tell you about the first screening for the short documentary: Picture A Farmer – celebrating Alberta women in Agriculture. Check it out on Saturday, July 20th at 3:00pm at the Garneau Theatre, 8712 109th St. Edmonton, AB. Free tickets can be ordered at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/picture-a-farmer-screening-tickets-64678775960 Please share with your network! Picture a farmer – a Documentary Picture a Farmer is a documentary that challenges the conventional perceptions of women’s roles on the farm. Women have always been a critical part of farm life, yet they are often not seen as farmers. Women on farms raise children, cook meals, maybe tend … Continue reading July 20, 2019: Edmonton, AB – Picture a Farmer Film Screening →

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 →