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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for National Farmers Union
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250128T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250128T200000
DTSTAMP:20250109T175316Z
CREATED:20250109T174901Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250109T175316Z
UID:10000607-1738089000-1738094400@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Free School for Farmworkers: Athletes In Overalls - Movement Health & Injury Prevention
DESCRIPTION:Anyone who has farmed for a day\, a week\, a month\, or a full season knows that farming is a MARATHON (maybe a series of marathons!)\, and not a sprint. When we look at farmwork through the lens of sport and athleticism\, what changes for us? How does that impact our diet\, our noticing in our bodies\, our sleep hygiene\, and our confidence in how we advocate for ourselves? \n\n\n\nAt the next Free School session\, longtime farmer and farmworker\, strength athlete\, and personal trainer Cynthia Flores of Labor-Movement will discuss movement health and wellness for farmworkers from an athletic perspective. Cynthia asks: What does it mean to be a farmworker and an athlete? What is movement self-advocacy? \n\n\n\nYou can expect to learn tips on managing food\, fluid\, sleep\, and stress for best performance over long days and the season. The discussion will focus on safe lifts using hinges and squats\, reducing the potential of low back pain or injury\, and moving and carrying loads. \n\n\n\nThere will be time for Q&A and discussion so bring your questions and experiences! \n\n\n\nJoin us Tuesday\, January 28\, at 3:30 pm PT/6:30 pm ET on Zoom. This session will not be recorded. \n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE \n\n\n\nFacilitator bio: Cynthia Flores\, owner and founder of Labor-Movement LLC\, owned and operated a vegetable production for 20 years in western Maine\, and turkey farmed for 12 holiday seasons. She has been a strength athlete for 12 years\, and is a Certified Personal Trainer and Licensed Massage Therapist. Founded in 2020\, Labor-Movement works with farmers and farmworkers in body mechanics and movement pattern training\, with a goal of preventing injuries and extending career longevity. In 2024\, Cynthia worked with over 900 farmers in 18 states and British Columbia. \n\n\n\nAccessibility information: This session will be facilitated in English and simultaneously interpreted into Spanish by Cooperativa Brujúlas. Closed captioning will also be available. \n\n\n\nCo-hosted by Not Our Farm\, UW-Extension\, and FairShare CSA Coalition. \n\n\n\nPlease note that Free School for Farmworkers sessions are a farmworker-only space. \n\n\n\n*We define a farmworker as someone working on a farm they do not own\, for or without pay\, including interns\, apprentices\, cooperative workers\, and aspiring farmworkers. If you have questions about whether you are eligible to participate\, please contact Anita Adalja at anita@notourfarm.org
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/free-school-for-farmworkers-athletes-in-overalls-movement-health-injury-prevention/
CATEGORIES:Event,Exchange Hub
LOCATION:https://events.humanitix.com/free-school-for-farmworkers-athletes-in-overalls-movement-health-and-injury-prevention
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Regina:20250130T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Regina:20250130T000000
DTSTAMP:20241031T174607Z
CREATED:20241017T105750Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T174607Z
UID:10000532-1738195200-1738195200@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Holistic Cropping Planning
DESCRIPTION:In this course\, you will learn how to effectively manage your cropland and cropping practices to increase soil fertility and resilience as well as increase production and profitability from your cropping practices. Learn how to complete crop production planning all in the context of regenerative and conservation agriculture. \nThis curriculum was developed with input from master farmers and educators and explains key cropping concepts such as no-till\, cover cropping\, cocktail seeding\, mulching\, intercropping\, shelterbelts\, perennial crops\, and integrating livestock\, as well as providing numerous planning worksheets and templates as well examples of completed worksheets and a long list of multi-media resources for further study. \nWhether you’re growing vegetables\, fruit\, grains\, or forage\, or are a large or small producer\, this course covers it all.
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/holistic-cropping-planning/
CATEGORIES:Exchange Hub,Training
LOCATION:
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Regina:20250203T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Regina:20250203T000000
DTSTAMP:20241019T140358Z
CREATED:20241017T105805Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241019T140358Z
UID:10000537-1738540800-1738540800@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Organic Seed Production
DESCRIPTION:Organic Vegetable Seed Production is a self-directed\, online\, 8 week\, comprehensive intermediate course focused on delivering the science and business of organic vegetable seed production. The course is national in scope but provides opportunities for learning and mentorship specific to your region.  \nDuring this 8 week course\, students will be offered a self-directed learning experience with live opportunities for mentorship with established Canadian seed growers and networking opportunities with their student peers but no formal instruction. \nStudents will be offered “office hours” with mentors – established Canadian seed growers – where they may ask questions and seek guidance on course materials and assessments as well as receive feedback on their seed crop plan. Students will have the opportunity to enroll in a regionally delivered farmer mentorship program to support continued hands-on learning throughout the growing season. Outside of a mandatory orientation session\, students are not required to participate in these live opportunities in order to successfully complete the course\, although it is strongly encouraged for a full learning experience.
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/organic-seed-production/
CATEGORIES:Exchange Hub,Training
LOCATION:
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Regina:20250205T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Regina:20250205T000000
DTSTAMP:20241031T175545Z
CREATED:20241017T105805Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T175545Z
UID:10000538-1738713600-1738713600@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Holistic Marketing & Business Planning
DESCRIPTION:This interactive online course steps you through the basics of using the Holistic Management decision-making framework to guide you in your marketing and business planning. You will have the opportunity to develop your business model and explore marketing options so that you can more effectively create your marketing and business plan outlines. You will also identify key action steps to begin implementation of those plans as part of the strategic development of your farm or ranch.
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/marketing-business-planning/
CATEGORIES:Exchange Hub,Training
LOCATION:
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250301T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250301T170000
DTSTAMP:20250123T200718Z
CREATED:20250123T200716Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250123T200718Z
UID:10000613-1740816000-1740848400@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Nourish: Farming for People\, Profit & the Planet
DESCRIPTION:This year’s NFU-O Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Convention will be held on Saturday\, March 1st\, 2025 at the University of Toronto\, Scarborough Campus. \n\n\n\nWe are excited to announce that we will be hosting this in-person gathering in partnership with the UTSC Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences\, Feeding City Lab\, and Sustainable Food & Farming Futures SF3 Cluster. Online options will be available via Zoom\, for members who prefer to participate remotely. \n\n\n\nThis year’s theme – “Nourish: Farming for People\, Profit & the Planet\,” shares and celebrates how farmers have found ways to make farming profitable while nurturing the soil and working with nature\, treating farm workers fairly\, and providing healthy\, nutritious food for local communities. \n\n\n\nStay tuned for more details and registration information to come on the NFU-O website\, e-news\, and social media channels. Tickets go on sale soon. Learn more here. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nhttps://nfuontario.ca/events/annual-general-meeting
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/nourish-farming-for-people-profit-the-planet/
LOCATION:University of Toronto\, Scarborough Campus\, 1265 Military Trail\, Scarborough\, Ontario\, M1C 1A4
CATEGORIES:Event,Exchange Hub
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.nfu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/unnamed.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Regina:20250501T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Regina:20250501T000000
DTSTAMP:20250324T142920Z
CREATED:20241017T105806Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250324T142920Z
UID:10000540-1746057600-1746057600@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Test Cropper: Put It Together On A Small Scale
DESCRIPTION:Test Croppers receive a small plot of land so they can continue to develop their growing skills. They continue to access produce from the onsite farm and continue to collaborate with other farmers to generate sales and grow their markets.
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/test-cropper-put-it-together-on-a-small-scale/
CATEGORIES:Exchange Hub,Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Regina:20250501T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Regina:20250501T000000
DTSTAMP:20250324T142910Z
CREATED:20241017T105806Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250324T142910Z
UID:10000539-1746057600-1746057600@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Test Marketer: Build Your Market
DESCRIPTION:During April and May as a Test Marketer\, you will be developing your market and sales channels while working a minimum of 5 hours a week assisting with vegetables of your choice.  When produce becomes available in early June your focus will switch to supplying  your markets with fresh produce. Our innovative approach focuses on the marketing and sales side of the farm business first ensuring that your farm business will be able to generate enough income to be profitable.
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/test-marketer-build-your-market/
CATEGORIES:Exchange Hub,Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Regina:20250501T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Regina:20250501T000000
DTSTAMP:20250324T143217Z
CREATED:20241017T105807Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250324T143217Z
UID:10000541-1746057600-1746057600@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Start-up Farmer
DESCRIPTION:Start-up farmers have completed a successful year as a Test Cropper and have acquired the tools\, machinery and skills they need to manage a larger plot of land on their own. They are increasingly able to grow significant volumes of produce economically. They will continue to establish their markets and sales channels and are becoming better positioned to acquire their own land and have a successful farming career.
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/start-up-farmer/
CATEGORIES:Exchange Hub,Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Regina:20250515T040000
DTEND;TZID=America/Regina:20260401T035959
DTSTAMP:20250515T170543Z
CREATED:20250515T170542Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T170543Z
UID:10000662-1747281600-1775015999@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Advance Payments Program
DESCRIPTION:The Advance Payments Program is a federal loan guarantee program which provides agricultural producers with easy access to low-cost cash advances.\n\nUnder the program\, you can access up to $1\,000\,000 in total advances based on the value of the eligible agricultural products you will produce or that you have in storage. The Government of Canada pays the interest on the first $100\,000 of your advance (the first $250\,000 for 2024 and 2025). You repay your advance as you sell the agricultural products\, with up to 18 months to fully repay the advance for most commodities (up to 24 months for cattle and bison).\n\nAPP advances can provide you with cash flow to meet your financial needs until you are able to sell your agricultural products. The program can provide marketing flexibility by allowing you to sell your agricultural products based on market conditions rather than the need for cash.\n\nAPP advances are available through 26 participating producer organizations\, that is\, APP Administrators\, across Canada.
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/advance-payments-program/
LOCATION:online
CATEGORIES:Grant
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250522T040000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250523T035959
DTSTAMP:20250515T171044Z
CREATED:20250515T170840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T171044Z
UID:10000667-1747886400-1747972799@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Food Price Inflation and Farmer Livelihood
DESCRIPTION:Canadian farmers have seen no benefit from rising grocery store prices since 2020. Instead\, they are being squeezed by corporate profiteering on all sides. For years\, corporate concentration in Canada’s food system has kept farm gate prices chronically low\, while retail prices rise steadily for consumers. Farmers are forced to accept prices that are decided by large\, multinational commodity traders and processors. At the same time\, they face prohibitively high costs for inputs from oligopolistic suppliers. The system is stacked against farmers and consumers alike. It’s time to confront corporate power in the food system.\n\nJoin the NFU on May 22nd at 3PM EST for a panel webinar on the farmers’ share of food prices and an examination of how corporate concentration in the Canadian food system harms both farmers and consumers featuring Keldon Bester of the Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project; Alex Purdye former Broadbent Institute Fellow; and Alyssa Gerhardt\, PhD student at Dalhousie University.
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/food-price-inflation-and-farmer-livelihood-the-declining-farmers-share-2/
LOCATION:online
CATEGORIES:Event
ORGANIZER;CN="National Farmers Union":MAILTO:nfu@nfu.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Regina:20250531T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Regina:20250531T170000
DTSTAMP:20250506T133904Z
CREATED:20250501T183843Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250506T133904Z
UID:10000654-1748678400-1748710800@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Apply to Community Development Fund: Up to $500\,000 in Ontario
DESCRIPTION:Are you working on a project for your community? Submit it between April 15 and May 31\, 2025. Up to $500\,000 will be rewarded to support meaningful projects. \nCommunity Development Fund\nThrough this fund\, Desjardins Credit Union supports projects that make a real difference in Ontario communities. \nBased on a needs assessment of the Ontario communities we serve\, in which several local stakeholders took part\, we are launching a call for applications to support organizations\, associations and cooperatives that are working on meaningful projects that will have positive impacts on their local community. \nThese projects must fall under 1 of the 5 priorities identified in the needs assessment and outlined in the credit union’s community involvement plan.
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/community-development-fund-up-to-500000-in-ontario/
CATEGORIES:Exchange Hub,Grant
LOCATION:
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Regina:20250701T040000
DTEND;TZID=America/Regina:20260130T050000
DTSTAMP:20250515T170518Z
CREATED:20250515T170517Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T170518Z
UID:10000661-1751342400-1769749200@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Feast Fellowship
DESCRIPTION:about the Feast Fellowship\n\n\nFrom July 2025 – January 2026\, 8 farmer fellows will participate in responsive gender- and sexuality-affirming agricultural business programming\, including self-guided virtual modules\, live calls with and mentorship from Indigenous and BIPOC 2SLGBTQI+ Farmers in Residence and co-teachers who are experts in their respective fields. 2SLGBTQI+ Indigenous farmers can expect to deepen their learning on how to write a business plan\, finances\, accounting\, accessing loans and government programs\, Canadian tax law\, branding and marketing for Indigenous farm businesses\, and more! \nFeast Fellowship farmers + agricultural entrepreneurs will receive $4\,500 for their participation and completion of the Feast Fellowship. Feast Fellows are expected to complete all self-guided modules and attend all monthly live calls.
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/feast-fellowship/
LOCATION:online
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Regina:20250823T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Regina:20250823T200000
DTSTAMP:20250731T171121Z
CREATED:20250731T171120Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250731T171121Z
UID:10000682-1755964800-1755979200@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Ecological farm tour and farmers social at New Moon Community Homestead
DESCRIPTION:Join us! August 23rd NFU-O Middlesex Farm Tour and Social at New Moon Community Homestead\n\nThe National Farmers Union of Ontario Middlesex Local is hosting an ecological farm tour and farmer social at New Moon Community Homestead in Alisa Craig on Saturday\, August 23rd from 4:00PM to 8:00PM. Join us for a tour of New Moon’s on-farm ecological projects\, including erosion control projects\, a new wetland\, manure run-off collection\, and a 20-acre warm season grassland. The tours will be co-facilitated with staff from the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Society and Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Middlesex\, who are supporting these projects. A free\, farm-fresh dinner will also be provided with your registration. Come meet fellow farmers\, learn\, and enjoy good company and a meal with NFU-O Local 312!\n\nAddress: 27093 New Ontario Road\, Alisa Craig\, ON\n\nTime: Saturday\, August 23rd\, 2025 from 4:00PM-8:00PM\n\n \n\nA FREE dinner will be served for those who RSVP — don’t miss it!\n\n RSVP & More Info: https://www.eventbrite.ca/…/summer-farm-tour-farmer…
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/ecological-farm-tour-and-farmers-social-at-new-moon-community-homestead/
CATEGORIES:Event
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Regina:20250920T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Regina:20250920T153000
DTSTAMP:20250828T140027Z
CREATED:20250828T140024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250828T140027Z
UID:10000691-1758371400-1758382200@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Equinox Gathering by A YEAR IN 8 SEASONS - Stratford/KW\, ON
DESCRIPTION:Tap into Fall’s wisdom over seasonal snacks\, an expressive art reflection  \nand a bonfire ‘Jam Ceremony‘ infused with embodied practice\, resonant spoken word and circle singing!  \nThe first in a series of Beloved Community-building events that connect people\, land and tradition  \nby reminding us of our interconnection and interdependence.  \nThe series is being hosted at Camp Ki-Wa-Y Outdoor Centre – the YMCA camp which serves the Three Rivers’ community (Stratford-Perth\, Guelph-Wellington and Waterloo Region). We are collaborating with the YMCA to offer a sliding scale of subsidized registrations.  \nReceive a $7 EARLYBIRD discount when you register by Sept 2nd (promo code EARLYBIRD) \nREGISTER HERE: bit.ly/AYI8Sfall \n 
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/equinox-gathering-by-a-year-in-8-seasons-stratford-kw-on/
LOCATION:YMCA Camp Ki-Wa-Y Outdoor Centre\, 3738 Hessen Strasse\, St. Clements\, ON\, N0B 2M0\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Event,Other Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.nfu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/fb-Poster.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Regina:20251001T040000
DTEND;TZID=America/Regina:20260320T035959
DTSTAMP:20250515T174831Z
CREATED:20250515T170603Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T174831Z
UID:10000663-1759291200-1773979199@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:BUSINESS MENTORSHIP NETWORK
DESCRIPTION:Whether you need business basics or strategic planning for long-term growth\, Young Agrarians knows that gaining business development skills is one of the biggest challenges facing new farmers. Our aim is to provide new farmers\, next generation farmers\, or farmers adding a new enterprise to an existing farm business with an opportunity to build their business knowledge and use it to grow their farm operations to achieve long-term viability.\n\nMentees will receive approximately 30 hours of mentorship primarily in the late winter/spring planning season\, an online farm business webinar series with live Q&A sessions in the winter\, check-ins through the summer season and reflection wrap up process in the fall. Mentors take a coach approach to help you chart a course towards long term business viability. Mentorships will be by phone\, email\, and where possible site visits.
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/business-mentorship-network-2/
LOCATION:online
CATEGORIES:Training
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Regina:20251231T040000
DTEND;TZID=America/Regina:20260101T035959
DTSTAMP:20250508T200752Z
CREATED:20250508T200705Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250508T200752Z
UID:10000658-1767153600-1767239999@www.nfu.ca
SUMMARY:Local Food Infrastructure Fund – Small Scale Projects
DESCRIPTION:The program has 2 components\nThe LFIF aims to support locally-driven projects that will help improve community food security through the purchase and installation of infrastructure/equipment that will increase access to local\, nutritious and culturally appropriate food. \nPriority will be given to projects that predominantly serve equity-deserving groups\, particularly those that are led by or focus on Indigenous and Black communities. \nFunding\nThe maximum Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) grant toward a project will normally not exceed $100\,000. Applications under $25\,000\, after ineligible costs have been removed\, will not be considered for funding. \nApplicants who don’t receive funding through the 2024-2025 intake may reapply to the 2025-2026 intake period. \nCost-sharing\nAAFC may provide up to 100% in funding toward eligible project costs. Food production elements-related eligible costs may include\, but are not limited to: \n\nBeekeeping equipment\nCommunity gardens\nFood forests\nGarden boxes/beds/tools\nGreenhouses\nHunting\, fishing equipment (may include all-terrain vehicles\, snowmobiles and boats)\nIrrigation systems\, wells\, solar panels\, composting systems\nSeeds\, soil\, compost (initial year only)\nTractors and other heavy farm equipment\nVertical and/or hydroponic gardens\n\nLEARN MORE
URL:https://www.nfu.ca/event/local-food-infrastructure-fund-small-scale-projects/
CATEGORIES:Grant
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