1.5 acre Market Garden Tour - Cold Spring Organics
2025-10-06 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Toronto) | Cold Spring Organic, 8869 Spruce Grove Rd, Campbellcroft, Ontario, Canada
About this event:

Can you grow 105 varieties of organic produce on 1.5 acres? Do the numbers work?

Join Cold Spring Organics and Farms at Work for an evening exploring organic vegetable production, permaculture principles, regenerative agriculture, community collaborations and protecting threatened species. Whether you’re a seasoned grower, new to farming, or a food enthusiast, don’t miss this opportunity to connect with local food production and gain practical insights for your journey in agriculture.
Tour Highlights
Organic Vegetable Production: Learn about the certification process with CSI for the Canadian Organic Standards (COR) and how to grow healthy & nutritious chemical-free food without synthetic fertilizers.
Permaculture Practices: Find out how permaculture design mimics self-sustaining ecosystems in nature by holistically integrating crop, water, and wildlife management to build resilience & adaptability for the long-term health of the land.
Regenerative Agriculture: Learn about how Cold Springs’ regenerative agriculture methods restore & strengthen soil health and the ecosystem it supports.
Protecting Threatened Species: See how safe spaces are created for threatened bird species around the farm.
Community Collaborations: Hear about how Cold Springs engages with their community.

About the Host
Glen Young decided to become an organic farmer so he could make a difference. He wanted to teach his children where food comes from and cultivate their palates to value wholesome, nutritious foods. He wanted to help build a better future – for his family & for our planet.

Farms at Work is a charitable organization working to protect healthy, active farmland across east central Ontario. For over a decade, Farms at work has been working to support farmers, new entrants, and landowners through education, mentorship, and research.

Alpacas for Fibre and Agritourism
2025-11-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Wanderlight Alpaca Experience, 874 Lynch’s Rock Road, Lakefield, Ontario, Canada
Alpacas for Fibre and Agritourism

Location: Wanderlight Alapaca Experience: 874 Lynch’s Rock Road. Douro Dummer
Time: Friday. November 28th: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Questions? Email Education@Farmsatwork.ca

How do you raise alpacas for optimum fibre production? How do you incorporate agritourism into your farming operation? Come with your curiosity and questions!
Join Wanderlight Alpaca Experience, Averegan Farms and Farms at Work for an afternoon exploring the breeding, care and delight of alpacas. This hands-on tour will include time connecting with the Wanderlight Alpacas, and is geared toward farmers and business owners but open to folks of all interests and ages.
Tour Highlights

Care and Health of the Alpaca Herd
Genetics and Breeding of Alpacas
Shearing, Fibre Processing and Sales
Adding Agritourism to your Farm

***Online ticket purchases are preferred, but registration onsite at the event will also be available. Please arrive by 1:45 for in person registration.
Some alpaca products will be available for purchase.
About the Hosts
Donna Simmonds of Averegan Alpacas has been breeding and showing alpacas and processing alpaca fibre for 20 years. From breeding decisions, crias, shows and day-to-day care all the way to shearing and sorting the gorgeous fleeces and processing them into the softest yarns for our alpaca products – she loves it all and is excited to share her expertise.
Katie Maitland founded Wanderlight Alpaca Experience in 2020 to connect guests with the joy of alpacas, the beauty of her family farm and a glimpse into agriculture. Since then over 5000 people have visited Wanderlight, learning about alpacas, nature and farm life. From inspirational stories to practical matters of insurance, marketing, and booking, Katie is ready for your questions!For over a decade, Farms at Work has been supporting the growth of resilient thriving farms that contribute to food security across east central Ontario and working to support farmers, new entrants, and farmland owners through education, mentorship, and research.

Farmland Ownership: Opportunities, Connections and Answers
2026-02-20 09:00 - 14:00 | Cavan Monaghan Community Centre, 986 County Road 10, Millbrook, Ontario, L0A 1G0, Canada
Seeking non-farming owners of farmland!
Farms at Work is inviting registrations for a Farmland Owner Workshop, designed for non-farming owners of farmland. Hear from a range of knowledgeable speakers and network with organizations who can help you!
This is a hybrid event: Connecting in person is always the best! But if you can’t make it we still want to see you – register to participate online.

Topics to Expect

Why is every acre of farmland important?
Farm Business Registration, Property tax and your farm
Finding and keeping a great farm tenant
Farm Insurance
Environmental stewardship of your farmland
Funding opportunities and other resources
Long term options for your farmland

Help us address the topics you are most interested in! Please complete our Farmland Owner Survey in addition to registering for the workshop.
Register for in-person and online participation here: https://3common.com/event/farmland-ownership-opportunities-connections-and-answers/690b7bf691721e9a0cba9e85

Complete our Farmland Owner Survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2N-LIfmHCte1pGqlN6SiTwKe1oBIrZz9i0RUKM3Nmur69Zg/viewform

Tree Pruning and Grafting Workshop with Andy Harjula
2026-03-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Lindsay, Kawartha Lakes (exact location shared with registrants)
Join Farms at Work and farmer Andy Harjula for an engaging and hands-on morning dedicated to the art and science of fruit tree maintenance, pruning and grafting. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or a complete beginner, this workshop will provide you with the essential knowledge and skills to care for your apple trees and maximize their health and productivity.

Workshop Highlights

Introduction to Trees: Understand the basic needs and growth habits of trees, including key factors that influence their development and fruit production.
Pruning Techniques: Learn the importance of pruning as a vital tool for maintaining individual tree health and the overall health of the orchard.
Improving Yield: Learn how proper pruning can enhance fruit production by improving air circulation, light penetration, and reducing disease risk.
Pruning Neglected Trees: If you have trees that have been left unpruned for years, this workshop will guide you through some techniques to safely and effectively restore them to health without over-pruning.
Hands-On Practice: Each participant will have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned by helping to prune a tree under Andy’s guidance, ensuring they leave with practical experience to take home.
Grafting Techniques and Take Home Scion Wood
Learn grafting techniques. Each participant can take home their pruned scion wood to graft onto fruit trees at home.

What to Bring:

Hand pruners (bring your own if possible; some will be provided)
Tree wound paste (bring your own if possible; some will be provided)
Work gloves for safety and comfort
Folding chair in the event we need to retreat part time to the garage.
Warm clothing. The lesson will proceed under inclement weather, dress accordingly with boots and coat.
Water or wet cloths and a bag to transport scion wood.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with fellow fruit tree enthusiasts, gain valuable knowledge, and learn practical skills that will help you care for your apple trees and ensure they thrive for years to come.

Sustainable Seedlings and Seeds at Belmont Farmstead
2026-04-24 15:00 - 17:00 | Belmont Farmstead, 974 County Rd 48, Havelock, Ontario, K0L1Z0, Canada
The Belmont Farmstead is expanding its operations and now is the time to ask all your plant propagation and farm-business questions! Operating her business now for 15 years, Amanda is an experienced horticulturalist dedicated to soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability. She grows thousands of seedlings each season, offers individual support to ensure thriving gardens, creates beautiful botanical displays for local businesses, and has recently purchased a seed business to further grow her impact and scale. Ask your questions on the ups and downs of farm-business development, management and growth, learn about native seedling propagation and how you can balance the needs of your business, community, and environment for positive impact. Whether you’re a seasoned grower, native plant enthusiast, new farmer, or simply passionate about local food, don’t miss this opportunity to grow your network and learn with Amanda from Belmont Farmstead!
Tour highlights include: greenhouse seedling production, native plant propagation techniques, scaling a farm-based business, and lessons learned from 15 years of building a diversified horticultural enterprise.
