Are you keen to learn about regenerative agriculture?
Ignatius Farm has been training folks in regenerative agriculture since 2002. Join the movement that is creating circular local food systems and farming that tackles climate change!
Are you getting into small plot agriculture or ecological agriculture? Have you always wanted to do a farm internship but it didn’t fit into your schedule? Are you building your farming knowledge and want specialized workshops? From DIY learning to training courses to field days to full Farm Immersion programs, Ignatius Farm has options for you to learn with a community of people.
Open a window and let in some fresh farm air…
The Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program.
With collaboration from Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO), Everdale and now the National Farmers Union-Ontario, Ignatius Farm restructured its internship into this new program available to advance any new farmer and those interested in farming, gardening, and food advocacy anywhere. The NFT program offers:
- 40+ online workshops and virtual field days with local farms and food businesses
- Monthly, optional in-person field day at a farm in SW Ontario
- Monthly, optional in-person workshop in Guelph, ON
Participants begin in April with foundational knowledge, learn about specialized aspects of farming over the growing season, and focus in November on establishing farm businesses.
Registration for Term 1 of the IFNFTP is now open!
Contact farmeducation@ignatiusguelph.ca for more details.
Do you want to complement your courses with hands-on gardening at your own pace and schedule?
Register for a Community Garden plot and apply your learnings directly. Ignatius Farm has 3.5 acres of garden plots, starting at 100 ft2. Review the Community Gardens page and register online or drop by over the winter!
Do you have a bit of time available and prefer hands-on learning with others?
Volunteer or Workshare! See the inside farming scoop by volunteering with the farm team on occasion or regularly. Working Shares receive a CSA share or community garden plot in exchange for volunteering weekly in the CSA fields, community gardens or Community Orchard! Groups are also welcome. Email farmoutreach@ignatiusguelph.ca to get in the field.
Do you have decent farming knowledge and skills and are ready to launch your farm project?
Propose an Acreage Rental. Ignatius Farm rents fields to new and established businesses and organizations. Review the Request for Proposals and submit your plan! Fill in your knowledge gaps with a workshop from the New Farmer Training Program.
Ignatius Farm’s New Farmer Training Program!
- Ignatius Farm interns participate in the full program with with a deep discount
- Monthly in-person field trip to farms in SW Ontario!
- Monthly in-person workshops around Guelph, ON
- Become an EFAO member and benefit from lower fees!
Sample Program (dates & times subject to change)
Term 1: April 8-18, (2:30-4:30pm)
- 7 Webinars
- Provides foundational knowledge and language for basic farm work.
- Sample workshops: The Language of Ecological Agriculture in Ontario, Intro to Regenerative Growing, Soils, Botany, and Intro to Indoor Growing.
Term 2: Monday & Wednesday afternoons, May-July (2:30-4:30pm)
- 16 Webinars/virtual field days, 3 optional in-person field trips, 3 optional in-person workshops
- Teaches the application of farm language and knowledge.
- Sample webinars: Irrigation, Field & Bed preparation, Weed management, Harvest & postharvest handling, Cover crops & green manures, Indoor fruiting crops, Ergonomics/farmer health, Equipment maintenance.
There is a 5-week break between terms 2 and 3 for participants to catch up on recordings.
Term 3: Monday & Wednesday afternoons, September-October (2:30-4:30pm)
- 7 Webinars/Virtual field days, 3 optional in-person field trips, 4 optional in-person workshops
- Expands beyond basics to build skills for a specialized farm.
- Sample webinars/field trips: Crop planning, seed saving, Livestock (various), Orchard care, and a deeper look into some of the topics covered in term 2.
Term 4: November 4-20, Mondays & Wednesdays (9:30-11:30am & 2:30-4:30pm)
- 12 Webinars/virtual field days
- Provides entrepreneurship training for operating a farm business.
- Sample webinars: Farm Design, Business planning, Production system management, Budgets & Record keeping, Marketing and distribution, Financing, and Land access.
*Online meet-ups will be scheduled each term for those participating in the full program/a full term in order to facilitate networking and participant learning objectives.
*Full program participants receive a certificate in the Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program.