Welcome to a new year for the EFAO Events Calendar. This is a listing of upcoming events sponsored by EFAO and similar minded organizations. Event listings are welcome.

EFAO Events Calendar January 29th to February 27th, 2007

EFAO Events

Field Crop Rotation (Brighton)
February 13th 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at the OMAFRA office, Brighton
This in-depth discussion of crop rotation on ecological and organic
farms will interest anyone looking to develop a more complex crop
rotation in their field crops. Topics like crop choices, fertility
needs, weed management, time management and cover crops will be
discussed. Fee is $50 for one person and $75 for two people from the
same farm. To register call EFAO at (519) 822-8606 or email info@efao.ca. Please register early.

Sheep Parasites (Auburn)
February 16th 1:30 pm to 4 pm at A Touch of Herbs Farm
A discussion on sheep parasites with Dr. Silvina Fernandez, research
associate with the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada. Call Nancy
Hislop
(519) 526-1024 for details and directions.

Challenging the Places to Grow Policy-Protecting Farmlands (Paris)
February 21st 1:30 pm to 4 pm at Diane Baltaz’s, 26 Churchill Dr., Paris
Barry Hill from the Brant Federation of Agriculture will join the
discussion on the tremendous development pressure put on farmland that
is just outside the Greenbelt. Brant county is facing this pressure.
Call Diane for directions and to RSVP (519) 442-1288.

Introduction to Ecological Agriculture (Langton)
February 26th and 27th 8:30am to 4:30 pm at the Langton Community
Centre.
The NFU in Norfolk county is sponsoring a session of the
Introduction course. Please contact the office to register 519-822-8606 or info@efao.ca.

Growing Your Own Opportunities (Floradale)
February 28th - 9 am-3:30 pm at the Floradale Mennonite Church, 30 Florapine Rd.
This one day conference will look the emerging trends in agriculture and the food sector, and explore ways to adapt to today’s changing agriculture and consumer markets
Cost: $20 including lunch.  Please register by February 22,  with Cathy Brousseau 519-846-2349 or cathy@wwcfdc.

Field Crop Rotation  (Southampton)
March 2rd at 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.at the Bruce County Museum
This in-depth discussion of crop rotation on ecological and organic farms will interest anyone looking to develop a more complex crop rotation in their field crops.  Topics like crop choices, fertility needs, weed management, time management and cover crops will be discussed. Toregister call EFAO’s office - Karen Maitland (519) 822-8606 or email info@efao.ca.  Please register early to save your spot and to ensure the course runs. Prices are $50 or $75 for two people from the same farm.

Finding the Balance - Interpreting Soil Tests for Organic Farmers (Southampton)
March 3nd at 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.at the Bruce County Museum
In this workshop experienced organic farmer Ken Laing will explore how to better use soil tests.  Soil amendments allowed under organic regulations will be a key part of the discussion. To register call EFAO’s office - Karen Maitland (519) 822-8606 or email info@efao.ca.  Please register early to save your spot and to ensure the course runs. Prices are $50 or $75 for two people from the same farm.

Other Events

Energy Diversity, Local Solutions-- and SEEDS! (Simcoe)
February 10 th - Doors open at 9:30 a.m
Wagon Wheel Produce (near Simcoe Ontario),will host "Sowing the
Seeds of Energy Diversity", a Seedy Saturday event that looks at ways
to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel and build energy security for
ourselves, and our communities. This all-day event features speakers on
diverse forms of energy (biodiesel, wind, oil) as well as food localism, and peak oil.
Admission is by donation to Seeds of Diversity Canada. For more
information, or vendor inquiries, please call Bev Wagar at 519-874-1227
or e-mail bev@mygreengarden.ca . Event website: www.mygreengarden.ca/seedy/.

Value Chain Management Worskhop (Markdale)
February 12th 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Annesley United Church.
Learn about how value chains can work for you with the Canadian Farm
Business Management Council and the George Morris Centre.No charge and
lunch is included. Limited seating so register with Greg County
Agricultural Services (519) 986-3756 or info@greyagservices.ca.

Lanark County Slow Food Meet and Greet (Perth)
February 12th 12:30 to 4 at Perth Lion's Hall (next to the
fairgrounds on Arthur St.) Lanark County Slow Food, Lanark Highlands
and the Perth Farmers' Market are organizing a discussion panel and 'meet and greet'
event for local food producers and food and hospitality reps (chefs,
B&B owners, etc.). Our speakers will discuss how to build successful
working relationships based on their own experiences. Please RSVP
Cheryl at cheryl@ecoperth.on.ca or 613-268-2907.

GROWING UP ORGANIC: Organics - Beyond the Hype (Toronto)
February 17th 9am-5pm, 89 Chestnut Street , University of Toronto
A day long conference of policy makers, nutritionists, agriculture
and children's environmental health experts presenting on the state of
the food we eat and its impacts on children, and discussing how
organics is making a difference. Keynote speaker is Wendy Mesley of
CBC, followed by informative sessions with speakers such as Thomas
Pawlick, Author of End of Food and Ellen Desjardins, Waterloo
Nutritionist. Early-bird registration before Jan
8 at www.cog.ca, $105 (students and COG members $85), or after Jan 8,
$125 (students and COG members $105).
1-888-375-7383, www.cog.ca, conference@cog.ca

The Stockman Grass Farmer's Organic Grass-Finished Production School
February 23 and 24, Holiday Inn Sacramento Northeast, Sacremento,
California
Featuring: Grazier/Educator, Dr. Anibal Pordomingo of Argentina,
Organic veterinarians, Dr. Ann Wells and Dr. William Winter, Organic
Pasture Weed Control Specialist, Kathy Voth, Organic Marketing
Co-Ordinator, Anegla Jackson-Pride, Stockman Grass Farmer Editor, Allan Nation
Beef, sheep, dairy and bison producers will all find this school
helpful as it will concentrate on animal health problems, weed control
and soil building techniques that are common to all ruminant enterprises.
Price is $650, will hold seat for a deposit of $150. The school sold
out last year. Contact The Stockman Grass Farmer at 1-800-748-9808 or SGF, P.O.
Box 2300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-2300 for more information or to register.

Energy in Agriculture Eco Farm Day (Cornwall)
February 24th at the Ramada Inn
The annual all-day organic farming conference, hosted by the Ottawa
Chapter of the Canadian Organic Growers (COG), is the leading occasion
in Eastern Ontario to develop skills in organic farming. Tailored to
all farmers and gardeners, Eco Farm Day will feature a full slate of
workshops, guest speakers, a large exhibition trade show and much more.
Friday is the conference gala, including a presentation by our key
note speaker, an excellent all-organic meal, and live entertainment by SEARSON.
The adult registration fee is $45 in advance or $55 at the door (a
$10 discount is availableby joining Canadian Organic Growers). To
register for the Eco Farm Day visit the website www.cog.ca/Ottawa or
contact Faith Phillips at 613-525-4114, phillipskf@hotmail.com. General
enquiries can be made to Tom Manley, chair of the Eco Farm Day
Conference at 613-984-0480, tom@homesteadorganics.ca.

Workshop on Seed Program Modernization (Guelph)
February 27th CFIA is hosting a series of one-day regional public
workshops on Seed Program Modernization. The objectives of these
workshops are to improve understanding of the current Seed Program and
to actively engage stakeholders in the Seed Program review. Register by
February 14th with Charlene Mader by telephone at 1-866-475-2565, by
fax at (613)
228-4552 or by e-mail via modernisation@inspection.gc.ca

Registration and information - call EFAO at (519) 822-8606.
Karen Maitland
Member Services Co-ordinator
EFAO
5420 Highway 6 North
RR5 Guelph, ON
N1H 6J2

519-822-8606
info@efao.ca