Organic Path microsite

This project was funded through the New Opportunities and Business Development Investment Initiative (NOBDI) under the Renewal Chapter of the Canada-Nova Scotia Agricultural Policy Framework Agreement.

Courses, workshops, learning events and more!

I went to an organic conference and found that the organic farmers looked after their soil and, because of that, they had good crops. After that, I stopped spraying my fields. My crop yields didn’t drop and later they started to increase.
Herman Mentink
Kipawo Holsteins, NS

Courses

ACORN offers workshops on a range of topics, including organic soil management, pest control and marketing. They also post their notes and presentations on-line for people to look back on.

Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC) is part of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro, Nova Scotia. OACC offers long-distance courses in organic agriculture and has many educational resources posted on its website.
www.oacc.info

Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) offers courses in organic farming.

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) offers an introductory course to organic agriculture.

Newfarm’s free online course on making the transition to organic agriculture.

Annual conferences

Organic conferences provide opportunities to learn about farming and marketing methods, meet other farmers, and develop contacts with potential buyers, sellers or partners.

ACORN Organic Conference is held every winter, often in late February or early March. The location rotates throughout the Maritime Provinces. Workshops cover a range of topics including production methods, the latest in organic research, and marketing techniques. There’s also a trade show, which is good place to ask questions, source seeds, and make new contacts in the region.

Guelph Organic Conference celebrated its 27th year in January 2008. The conference spans several days including workshops, in-depth seminars and a large trade show with over 150 exhibitors.

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) Farmer-to-Farmer Conference is held in November and is known for its intimacy, its in-depth treatment of topics, and its amazing discussions. It is based on the idea that farmers learn best from their peers and other practitioners.