Tag Archives: Canada

How To Start Farming In Manitoba

Posted by Lourdes Still on February 26, 2024

A starter kit for those wondering how to start farming in Manitoba. Young Agrarians (YA) is a farmer to farmer educational resource network for new and young ecological, organic and regenerative farmers in Canada. Read more about us here. Young Agrarians recognizes the unresolved Indigenous land title and rights in the diverse territories in what is today called Canada. As we live and work in the context of and in response to a colonial system of laws and policies, it is important to acknowledge the historical and ongoing impact of agriculture and land enclosure on Indigenous lands and food systems. In … Continue reading How To Start Farming In Manitoba →

How To Start Farming In Saskatchewan

Posted by Lourdes Still on January 29, 2024

A starter kit for those wondering how to start farming in Saskatchewan. Young Agrarians (YA) is a farmer to farmer educational resource network for new and young ecological, organic and regenerative farmers in Canada. Read more about us here. Young Agrarians recognizes the unresolved Indigenous land title and rights in the diverse territories in what is today called Canada. As we live and work in the context of and in response to a colonial system of laws and policies, it is important to acknowledge the historical and ongoing impact of agriculture and land enclosure on Indigenous lands and food systems. In … Continue reading How To Start Farming In Saskatchewan →

Nov 28, 2023: ONLINE – Better Together: Cooperative Solutions for Farmers

Posted by Chantelle Chan on October 31, 2023

Join Emi Do, YA’s Co-op Coordinator, for a hands-on look at how collaboration fits into your farm  Are you feeling intimidated about the prospect of tackling your farming enterprise on your own? This session is a great place to get your collaborative juices flowing. Explore the myths, challenges, and opportunities of the cooperative model. Hear from farmers that are actively in co-ops about how they’re using collaboration to tackle the barriers to farming in our current food landscape – and make their farms, lives, and communities work.  Date: Tuesday, November 28, 2023  |  7-8:30 PM PST Location: Online on Indigenous … Continue reading Nov 28, 2023: ONLINE – Better Together: Cooperative Solutions for Farmers →

FUNDING: Organic Transition Program

Posted by JoHana Harcourt on March 23, 2023

Funding is available for farmers to support the transition to organic production! The Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA)’s Organic Transition Program assists organic producers financially for their added costs incurred while transitioning to organic farming.  With a booming $6.6 billion in sales, Canada is the sixth largest organic market in the world. Yet, demand continuously outpaces supply, despite double digit production growth. Two thirds of Canadians purchase organic products weekly and organic is the fastest growing part of the Canadian agriculture landscape. These facts are both extremely positive for the Canadian organic industry, yet without continued efforts to train organic … Continue reading FUNDING: Organic Transition Program →

Soil Testing: How to Interpret Results and Calculate Fertilizer Needs

Posted by Andrew Adams on February 23, 2023

One fundamental piece of agriculture is the soil. Soil, being composed of billions of organisms with their complex relationships and nutrient exchanges. It can be a bit overwhelming to understand it all and nor do I claim to. At a minimum, basic understanding of some of the relationships and nutrient exchanges is however, a critical piece in any agricultural endeavor.  Wondering how to achieve optimal soil health? Read on to learn more about how to sample, test, and interpret soil tests for your farm. If the law of conservation of mass and energy holds to be true, then we can … Continue reading Soil Testing: How to Interpret Results and Calculate Fertilizer Needs →

Could have should have would have: Three things farmers wish they would have known when they started.

Posted by Andrew Adams on February 10, 2023

Could have should have would have Hindsight is always 20:20 right? You never know what you should know until you’ve crossed the river of learning and experience. Most of us learn by trial and error and in fact it’s often one of the best teachers as you learn both sides of the coin.  When we began farming in 2010 and then started our own farm in 2011, I was  27.  I had grown up in rural Kansas with a family hobby farm, a BSc in Agricultural Sciences, and worked as a forest ecologist. With my experience and education I thought … Continue reading Could have should have would have: Three things farmers wish they would have known when they started. →

Employees wanted: Hiring that special 1.3% of the population

Posted by Andrew Adams on January 26, 2023

It’s the deep of winter and many of us farmers are finalizing crop plans. We’re also looking at our labour needs on our farm for the season, so I thought I would share thoughts and tips for addressing your labour needs on your farm.  We’ve yet to enter the age of the Jetsons, though we are getting closer every day. Until the day comes when automation and robots do most physical labour, the human power component of a farm is integral to its success.  I’d rather see the human component in agriculture continue and only become better in terms of … Continue reading Employees wanted: Hiring that special 1.3% of the population →

Aiming for the stars within: Setting goals and benchmarks on the farm

Posted by Andrew Adams on January 18, 2023

Creating a trajectory for achieving a personal/farm business goal feels like what I imagine Mario feels like when he attains a “star” in the OG Mario Brothers game for Nintendo. You are bright, flashing with energy and moving quickly while avoiding obstacles and tactically knocking over Koopa troopas and Goombas (risk) in pursuit of your raised flag pole. It’s exhilarating. As we begin a new turn around the sun, many folks have set their new year resolutions – and if you are a farmer, you have likely analyzed last year’s data and begun crop planning for the upcoming season. Creating … Continue reading Aiming for the stars within: Setting goals and benchmarks on the farm →

Below the snow: What plants can tell us when we can’t see the soil

Posted by Andrew Adams on December 16, 2022

Sitting there at your computer desk, easy chair or couch, dreaming of starting your own farm in the depths of winter? Let me share some tips and tricks, which you can use when you find that dream property covered in snow and want to know what’s below. Sometimes winter is the only time of the year when there is time to go exploring land. When you live in a region that has snow for six months or longer, you can’t let the snow keep you from walking over potential properties for your farming adventure less they get gobbled up before … Continue reading Below the snow: What plants can tell us when we can’t see the soil →

Call for Mentors: Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program

Posted by Dana Penrice on September 22, 2021 2 Comments

We are seeking 2024 Host Mentor Farms for the YA Apprenticeship Program in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to grow the next generation of regenerative agriculture practitioners. Are you a rancher or farmer who is a dedicated steward of the land? Are you a skilled and enthusiastic teachers who has a passion for mentoring young and aspiring farmers? Do you have a farm philosophy that recognizes the connectedness of the land and people? Well if the boot fits, then you would likely make a good mentor in our program! What it’s like to be a Host Farm Mentor About the YA … Continue reading Call for Mentors: Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program →