Crop Rotation is one in a series of inspirational videos with Klaas and Mary Howell-Martens talking on organic farming at the Growing More Organic Conference, Cornwall, PEI, 2007.

On Monday (July 28th, 2008), ACORN co-hosted a tour of the Maritime Organic Grains Network's field crop trials in NB. The site was near Sussex, at Tom Lask's farm.

With 235 experimental plots set up across Canada to test different cereals' response to a variety of fertility treatments, the tour was extremely well attended (about 30 people) with an inquisitive crowd who were eager to see which of the tested treatments yielded positive results.

The ‘W5' of Grazing with E. Ann Clark: Why control grazing?; What do you need to be a grazier?

Site Preparation with Claude Berthélémé: Importance of planning ahead; Soil fertility and pH; Soil amendments; Weed control strategies; Improved drainage

Soil Amendments: Where to Get & How to Apply with Roxanne Beavers and Rupert Jannasch: Fertility; Manure; Compost; Rules of Amendment. Document includes some additional resources and questions that can be used to gauge understanding. Detailed notes are available as a separate resource on the Resource Directory.

Bringing Back the Soil for Improved Productivity with Claude Berthélémé.

Under Cover is a resource that reviews various cover crops that can be used in Atlantic Canada, including guidance on each, as well as farmer feedback. It also includes where to find seed and costs! (2008)

The cover crop decision tool is a resource published by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada (2014). Available in French upon request.

Roger Henry (Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada) presents at the 2014 ACORN Conference.

Dr. Derek Lynch and Rosalie Madden (Dalhousie University) present at the 2014 ACORN Conference. 

We are working on this list on an ongoing basis. If you have edits or additions to suggest to this list, please be in touch with us! Contact Steph at seed@acornorganic.org.

Alex Denicola, Motheroak Permaculture; Peter Maxner; Gilberte Doelle, Wild Rose Farm; present at the 2014 ACORN Conference.

Dr Av Singh discusses soil testing at the 2014 ACORN Conference.

Rosemary Taylor and Kathryn Aunger of Earth Haven Farm present at the 2014 ACORN Conference.

Includes articles on the following:

• Update on Biodegradable Mulches
• Provincial Organic Survey Results
• Project & Provincial Updates
• Upholding Our Organic Standards
• CSA Shareholder & Farm Survey Results
• Seasonal Food Fix

Presented by Jeff Moyer, Exectuvie Director Rodale Institute at the 2015 ACORN Conference

Presented by Ruth Knight, Organic Consult Inc. at the 2015 ACORN Conference PEI

View Slideshow presentation here

Presented by Jeff Moyer, Executive Director Rodale Institute at the 2015 ACORN Conference PEI

View slideshow presentation here

Presented by Denis LaFrance CETAB+ at the 2015 ACORN Conference PEI

Presented by Jeff Moyer, Executive Director of Rodale Insitute

Dr. Derek Lynch, P.Ag (Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture) at the 2015 ACORN Conference PEI

The Newfoundland Organic Opportunities Conference took place January 13-14, 2016 in St. John's Newfoundland. The event was jointly hosted by ACORN and the Newfoundland Federation of Agriculture, and attended by over 50 people, including stakeholders in government, academia, and the non profit centre. Conference participant Dan Rubin, of Pouch Cove, kindly took notes and shared them with ACORN for distribution. 

Sébastien Angers from the 2013 ACORN Conference in Moncton.

Growing organic no-till soybeans requires a well thought out rotation and planning that involves corn, soy and green manures. The technique of being able to incorporate residues and weed control without tilling requires much tinkering and accurate use of tools, but the improved soil structure and mineralisation provide many benefits to the crops.

Paul and Sandy Arnold of Pleasant Valley Farm (NY) discuss the importance of mulching with straw to control weeds and improve soil fertility at the 2013 ACORN Conference in Moncton. They outline their methods, the fertilizers and cover crops they use.

In this presentation from the 2013 ACORN Conference in Moncton, Rob English of the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries outlines the important things to consider for different soil mixes, including the pros and cons of various materials that can be added to soil mixes. He also explains the results from trials conducted at Jolly Farmer in 2013 with various soil mixes and fertilizers. He also outlines the important elements needed to create a good compost and how to test if your compost is doing well.

In this session from the 2013 ACORN conference in Moncton, Dr. Andrew Hammermeister discusses how soil is formed and the environmental factors that affect its quality. He also discusses soil health and touches on the basic chemistry behind soil.

At the 2013 ACORN Conference in Moncton, Dan Kitteridge explained how to improve nutrient content in the food farmers produce, and to simultaneously improve the health of the plants and the soil on the farm by regulating pests and diseases before the onset of problems. In this third segment of his three-part talk, Dan focused primarily on practical tools that can be used on the farm to monitor soil and plant health, and how to use them.

In this presentation from the 2013 ACORN conference in Moncton, Dan Kitteridge discusses nutrients and their importance for human health and how these nutrients must be considered when building healthy soil. He approaches farming from an approach that works from producing the healthiest crops back to how he prepares his soil.

In this presentation from the 2013 ACORN Conference in Moncton, Eltjo van Cingel introduces the Albrecht method as well as its origins and variety of benefits. He also discusses a variety of nutrients and experiments he has conducted involving the Albrecht method.

Robert St-Arnaud presents at the 2016 ACORN Conference.

View the accompanying slideshow presentation here.

This farmer-to-farmer workshop at the 2017 ACORN Conference featured short presentations and discussions on no-till and low-till methods, focusing on recent experience at several sites in Canada.

OMRI is now offering product review aligned with Canada Organic Regime (COR) standards, in addition to the existing Review Program under U.S. National Organic Program (NOP) standards. Allowed products are listed in the OMRI Canada Products List©, which is always available for free download. The first step toward listing a product on either the OMRI Products List or the OMRI Canada Products List is to order an OMRI Application Kit. The Kit includes all necessary application materials in order to apply for any type of OMRI review.

How It Works
Suppliers of products that fall within OMRI's scope are eligible to apply for listing on the OMRI Canada Products List.

Products that OMRI has reviewed and determined are allowed in organic production according to Canadian standards will be included on a public OMRI Canada Products List©. These products will have the option of using either the new OMRI Canada seal or the USA / Canada seal.

OMRI has recruited a team of knowledgeable experts with experience evaluating inputs to COR standards, to make final product listing decisions. OMRI is pleased to welcome Rochelle Eisen, Garry Lean, and Kelly Monaghan as the first OMRI Canada Review Panel members. Read more and review their bios here.

The OACC offers research srticles on soils, horticulture, field crops, livestock and other.  Also, web-based courses on Composting, Organic Field Crop Production, Organic Livestock Production, Principles of Organic Horticulture and the Transition to Organic Agriculture.

Extension bulletins cover a wide range of topics, many from projects in the Maritimes

This guide focuses on the remediation of compaction through subsoiling. When properly done, subsoiling loosens the soil allowing roots to penetrate deeper into the profile, increasing the depth of water infiltration, and improving conditions conducive to biological activity. It is therefore the starting point for the alleviation of compacted soils. However, subsoiling is a complex and expensive operation which must be well planned and executed in order to achieve the desired results. Problems caused by improperly executed subsoiling may outweigh the benefits. In order for this operation to be successful it is important to understand both the optimal field conditions for subsoiling and the basic mechanics involved.

This podcast from ACORN's 2014 Conference in Halifax, NS and features speaker Dr. Av Singh.

To be good farmers we need to be conscientious of soil biology, chemistry, and physics. Once you know you soil type and suitability you still need to understand and plan for fertility if you are to be productive on the land. The best way to understand what nutrients are available for your plants is to test your soil in a lab.