Tag Archives: organic farming

How to Reduce Plastic in Agriculture

Posted by Rachel Spruston on May 02, 2022

Plastic is widely used in agriculture for weed suppression, packaging, seed starting, and more. However, studies show that plastic can disrupt soil health, stunt plant growth, and leach from soils into aquatic environments. Here we dive into the issue of plastic in agriculture, and showcase Canadian farmers who’ve found alternatives. The phrase ‘plastic pollution’ is more likely to bring to mind heartbreaking photos of remote Pacific Ocean beaches littered with plastic or wildlife trapped in six-pack rings than images of earthworms and soil profiles. While marine plastic pollution tends to get the most attention, and for good reason (a recent … Continue reading How to Reduce Plastic in Agriculture →

ALBERTA: We’re hiring! Young Agrarians Digital Storyteller

Posted by Alex on April 13, 2022

Young Agrarians is partnering with Organic Alberta to hire a New Farmer Digital Storyteller in Alberta. Are you a creative communicator and talented storyteller? Would you enjoy working with people who grow food from diverse walks of life? If you’re passionate about local food systems, love working to bring out the best in others and are savvy with social media then we would love to hear from you.  Region & Scope: Alberta, Part-Time Contract Position Contract duration: May 2-August 31, 2022 Deadline for Applications: 12 pm MT Thursday, April 21, 2022 ABOUT YOUNG AGRARIANS AND ORGANIC ALBERTA Young Agrarians (YA) … Continue reading ALBERTA: We’re hiring! Young Agrarians Digital Storyteller →

2022 KOOTENAY / COLUMBIA BASIN LAND OPPORTUNITIES

Posted by Hailey Troock on March 08, 2022

We have more land opportunities than what is listed here! Get in touch with a Land Matcher at land@youngagrarians.org to access our full land inventory and B.C. Land Matching Program support in your region. Spring is here and if you’re still thinking about land for this year or for next season, check out these land opportunities from across the Kootenays / Columbia Basin! More will continue to be added to this post so check back once in awhile for new opportunities across the region. These opportunities are registered with the BC Land Matching Program so I’m teaming up with these landholders to find enterprising farmers looking … Continue reading 2022 KOOTENAY / COLUMBIA BASIN LAND OPPORTUNITIES →

How This Farmer Brought Back the Meadowlark: Using Regenerative Practices to Restore Farm Ecosystems

Posted by Alex on February 24, 2022

Don and Marie Ruzicka recently retired after more than 35 years of farming. During their time at Sunrise Farm in central-eastern Alberta on Treaty 6 land, they transitioned from conventional to regenerative farming by altering their farming practices, protecting riparian areas, planting trees, and restoring grasslands. In the process, they witnessed incredible changes in the ecology of their farm. Don shares the story of how they used regenerative practices to restore their farm ecosystems. EARLY DAYS It would be a mistake to suggest that my wife Marie and I began farming with the knowledge of how the importance of the … Continue reading How This Farmer Brought Back the Meadowlark: Using Regenerative Practices to Restore Farm Ecosystems →

YA APPRENTICESHIP 2022: STRATHCLAIR, MB – GREEN BEACH FARM & FOOD

Posted by Sara Yagelniski on February 08, 2022

Spend your summer with the pigs, cows, and chickens at Green Beach Farm & Food on the beautiful prairie near Strathclair MB. A farm job and a great learning experience with an opportunity to be out on the land interacting everyday with nature. ABOUT GREEN BEACH FARM & FOOD Green Beach Farm & Food is located near Strathclair, Manitoba – Treaty 2 Territory Green Beach Farm & Food is a fifth generation mixed livestock & grain operation, with 2 houses in the main farmyard; the farm now manages 5 quarters of land. About half of their annual crop acres are … Continue reading YA APPRENTICESHIP 2022: STRATHCLAIR, MB – GREEN BEACH FARM & FOOD →

YA APPRENTICESHIP 2022: STE-GENEVIEVE, MB – LONG WAY HOMESTEAD & FERME FIOLA FARM

Posted by Sara Yagelniski on February 08, 2022

Cuddle up with the Laaaaaambs at 2 different farms close together – Long Way Homestead and Ferme Fiola Farm for a fun farming job in 2022. Anna and Luke, Christel and Joey all welcome you to come learn about homesteading and raising wooly sheep on the beautiful prairie near the lush boreal forest. LONG WAY HOMESTEAD AND FERME FIOLA FARM The farms are 5 minutes away from each other near Ste-Geneviève, Manitoba – Treaty 1 Territory About Longway Homestead: Long Way Homestead is a family owned and operated Sheep Farm and Wool Mill east of Winnipeg, in Ste. Genevieve, Treaty … Continue reading YA APPRENTICESHIP 2022: STE-GENEVIEVE, MB – LONG WAY HOMESTEAD & FERME FIOLA FARM →

Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program – Kaitlyn Busson

Posted by Kolby Peterson on February 03, 2022

Kaitlyn was a 2022 apprentice at The Homestead, in Goodfare AB. She shares these wise words. Dear Future Me, I hope you are working your butt off from sun up to sun down making nutritious food with beautiful people, and if not don’t give up now. Whether you found yourself a handsome dairy or potato farmer in Nova Scotia, or you’re still raising cattle in the Peace Country, I hope you have remembered as much as possible from that summer. Make sure everything is fed and watered, and don’t forget to give the chickens grit. Don’t forget to water the … Continue reading Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program – Kaitlyn Busson →

YA Apprenticeship 2022: First Nature Farms – Goodfare, AB

Posted by Dana Penrice on February 02, 2022

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 2022: First Nature Farms – Goodfare, AB →

Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program – Katia Arcarese

Posted by Kolby Peterson on January 30, 2022

Katia was a 2021 Apprentice at The Homestead. Or should I say, IS! She wins the award for the longest farm stay. Make sure you stay tuned until the end, Katia has captured some of her experience at The Homestead in beautiful oil paintings. Here’s a sneak peak: If you wonder what being a vegetable farmer is like, especially when snow begins to fly, Katia shares her experience: We were wrapping things up in the garden by harvesting the potatoes and carrots. Due to a late warm fall, we were able to keep them in the garden a bit longer … Continue reading Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program – Katia Arcarese →

Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program – Hannah Gelderman

Posted by Kolby Peterson on January 26, 2022

Hannah Gelderman was a 2021 Apprentice at Sundog Organic Farm! In this beautiful farm log, she shares her experience growing nearly every vegetable under the moon, as well as her thoughts and struggles with finding her role and responsibility within climate and social justice. You can follow along with Hannah’s work on Instagram, @hannahgelderman, and on her webpage: hannahgelderman.com If you want to read through Hannah’s project at a higher resolution you can do so here. Without further ado… Find Hannah’s animation playing on the banner of the Young Agrarians homepage! And here on vimeo: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/642174916 Interested in being an apprentice … Continue reading Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program – Hannah Gelderman →