Friday Sessions

Fermented Plant Teas and Compost Extracts with Av Singh

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Meet Dr. Av Singh

Dr. Av Singh is one of Canada’s leading authorities on organic agriculture. Dr. Singh has authored over 200 peer-reviewed papers, chapters, and extension articles and has been an invited speaker to over 500 workshops, conferences, and symposia as well as guest-lecturing at over 30 universities in Canada, the US, the UK, and India. Emphasizing a union of traditional knowledge with science, Av works with growers to cultivate an appreciation of plant:soil interrelationships.

Building Sustainable Food and Farming Systems

 Join Jack Algiere, Chief Agroecologist at Stone Barns Center, for a 90-minute session exploring innovative food and farming projects aimed at creating sustainable, resilient food systems. Jack will share insights on:

  • Farm Diversification: Methods to make farms more resilient and productive.
  • Ecological Practices: How farming can benefit both the land and community.
  • Collaborative Partnerships: Working together across sectors to strengthen food systems.
  • Equitable Local Markets: Building healthy, fair markets for farmers and consumers.
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Meet Jack Algiere

Jack Algiere is the Chief Agroecologist at Stone Barns Center, a renowned farm and education center located in New York. The center serves as a hub for sustainable farming practices, agricultural education, and culinary innovation, fostering connections between land, food, and community. Jack has worked with agricultural, culinary, ecological research and food community partners in the Hudson Valley for 2 decades to study and strengthen the bioregional food shed. In this half-day session, Jack explores topics ranging from ecosystem monitoring and soil health analysis to the benefits of diverse agricultural systems, bioregional partnerships and incentives for habitat restoration projects.

Panel: Securing Farmland for our Future Farmers

Access to farmland is a critical challenge for Ontario’s young farmers, tied to farmland loss and the succession crisis. This panel brings together leaders from Farms at Work, Ontario Farmland Trust, National Farmers Union - Ontario, Just Food, and Rouge National Urban Park to share strategies, success stories, and innovative solutions.

Crop Planning for Pros with Luke Sheldrick

Take your farm's productivity to the next level with this comprehensive session on professional crop planning. Learn how to set clear goals, optimize workflow, and create detailed plans that drive consistency, profitability and record keeping. Using crop planning tools like Heirloom and practical Google Sheets templates, this workshop will guide you step-by-step through crafting a season-long crop plan tailored to diverse sales avenues. Perfect for farmers of all scales looking to streamline their operations and boost results.

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Meet Luke Sheldrick

Luke Sheldrick is the owner and operator of Terramor Farm, a thriving small-scale organic vegetable and flower farm. Known for its innovative practices and vibrant community connections, Terramor Farm has become a regional hub for sustainable agriculture. Luke's leadership extends beyond farming; he's a sought-after speaker, educator, and consultant in crop planning, farm automation, and building relationships with chefs, restaurants, and retail partners.

Land-Matching Mixer Hosted by NFU-O

Meet Rav Singh

NFU-O Youth Advisor & Vice PresidentRav is a new and young farmer in Mississauga. She runs a food and climate justice organization called Shade of Miti and specializes in growing okra and bitter melon. Rav started as an urban farmer and environmental educator and focuses on climate-resilient farming.

Meet the Organic Science Cluster 4

Panel: The Latest in Ontario Organic Research

Here’s your chance to learn aboutOrganic Science Cluster 4(OSC4) research happening in Ontario and across Canada. Join researchersDr. Andrew Hammermeister (science impact), Dr. Liette Vasseur (vineyard agroecosystems), Dr. Robert Nurse (dry bean agronomy) and William Savard (climate resilient organic dairy) as they share their research, thoughts on farming challenges and ways to support adoption of new practices. Session moderated by Dr. Desirée Jans, OSC4 Science Project Coordinator.

Learn about the Organic Science Cluster 4

Meet Dr. Andrew Hammermeister

Dr. Andrew Hammermeister is the Director of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC) and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Agriculture at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada. Andrew is the coordinator and student advisor as well as a course instructor for the Certificate of Specialization in Organic Agriculture offered by Dalhousie University. The OACC is proud to be a member of IFOAM Organics International and promotes it principles as well as its vision presented as Organic 3.0. Andrew is presently the Science Director for the Organic Science Cluster, the coordinated national initiative for organic research in Canada. He sits on the national organic standards review committee and several other organic sector committee. He is a Board Member of ISOFAR (the International Society of Organic Farming Research) and Organic Nova Scotia. Andrew collaborates in organic research ranging from soil fertility and weed management to sustainability and biodiversity.

Meet Dr. Robert Nurse

Dr. Robert Nurse, a research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, specializes in sustainable weed management strategies for field and horticultural crops. With an MSc (2000) from the University of Guelph and a PhD (2004) from Cornell University, his work focuses on the effects of environment on weed growth, reproduction, and adaptation. Funded by the Organic Science Cluster, he is exploring organic weed management in dry beans and roller-crimped systems. Dr. Nurse has published extensively on organic weed management and serves as Associate Editor forWeed TechnologyandAgronomy Journal. He is also President of the Canadian Weed Science Society.

Meet Dr. Liette Vasseur

Dr. Liette Vasseur earned her BSc Honours from Université de Sherbrooke, MSc from Université du Québec à Montréal, and PhD from Queen’s University. Growing up on a farm in Québec, she developed a strong appreciation for rural sustainability. Trained as a biologist, she integrates social sciences into her work to better understand social-ecological systems. Dr. Vasseur supervises students in both biology and sustainability science

Meet William Savard

William Savard is an agricultural biologist with a passion for sustainable agriculture. He graduated from a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in plant biology at Laval University. After a period in education, William has returned to his agricultural roots as a research technician at Laval University Agroecology Lab. His current interests include cover crops, soil health, and biodiversity. Although he specializes in plant sciences, he is always eager to discuss his beehives and hens.

So you want to be a Seed Farmer? - with Dan Brisebois

You can grow seed on your farm. It’s easier than you think. In this session we’ve going to start with the seed biology basics to keep you from getting into too much trouble. We”ll dive deeper into a few crops to show you how you integrate seed production into a vegetable or cut flower farm. And then we’ll get into the power of selecting your seed plants and how you can adapt varieties to your farm and even create new varieties!

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Meet Dan Brisebois

Dan Brisebois has a secret agenda. He wants you to grow seed on your farm! Dan is the author of The Seed Farmer and Crop Planning for Organic Vegetable Growers; and the host of the Seed Growers podcast. Dan runs the Farmer Spreadsheet Academy and blogs about farming and seeds at www.danbrisebois.com. 

Dan Brisebois is also a founding farmer at Tourne-Sol co-operative farm in Les Cèdres, Quebec. Tourne-Sol grows organic seeds for an online seed store and a wholesale rack program; and grows organic vegetables for 500 weekly veggie baskets.

Farm Succession Planning 1 & 2 with Andrew Leach

Session 1: Succession planning can be overwhelming, but starting the conversation is key. This session helps identify roadblocks, align family visions, and navigate tough discussions. Learn how to approach succession collaboratively and create a clear roadmap for a smooth transition that honors family relationships and ensures long-term farm sustainability.

Session 2: Financial clarity is vital for successful succession. This session covers strategies for value extraction, cash flow, and compensation planning. Learn about income planning, funding options for non-farming family members, and risk management to protect your legacy. Gain practical insights to balance family harmony with financial realities and secure your farm’s future.

Meet Andrew Leach

Andrew Leach joined Farm Life Financial in 2015 and brings over a decade of experience as a Farm Advisor. Growing up on a farm, he understands the challenges of farm succession planning and is passionate about keeping farms in the family. Andy works closely with clients to create efficient succession plans, develop financial literacy in the next generation, and ensure a smooth transition while navigating family dynamics.

Andy serves on the board of Kawartha Lakes Food Source and is actively involved in community organizations. He regularly speaks on farm succession and financial literacy to groups like Dairy Farmers of Ontario and Ontario Soil and Crop Association, and contributes to publications like Progressive Dairy and Country Guide Magazine.

Andy lives in Kawartha Lakes with his wife and four daughters.

Strategically Choosing your Cover Crops with Jake Munroe

Join Jake Munroe for a look into cover cropping in organic field crop production. This session will explore a range of techniques that have proven successful in Ontario, providing a solid foundation for understanding how cover crops can benefit your farming practices. Jake will also introduce some exciting new approaches to integrating and managing cover crops that are emerging on the horizon. He'll share practical insights into what makes these innovations promising, along with the keys to successful implementation. Throughout the session, we’ll discuss the challenges that come with different geographies and soil types, ensuring you leave with a clearer understanding of how to tailor cover cropping strategies to your specific situation. 

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Meet Jake Munroe

Jake Munroe is the Soil Management Specialist for Field Crops with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA). He has expertise in soil fertility, soil health, and cover crop management. From 2019 to 2021, Jake led a multi-site trial evaluating cover crop-based organic no-till soybean production. Through demonstrations, on-farm trials, and presentations, he shares information with Ontario farmers on best management practices to improve both soils and crop production. Jake is a Certified Crop Advisor.

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