By: Miranda Black
It seems that the current urban dream is to return to the country. More than ever we’re realizing that we need to return to the earth to grow food in order to feed our families, our neighbours and our communities.
Whether you are interested in returning to the land for a more relaxed life-style, if you want to raise a profit, or if you want to create a veggie mecca in your backyard, there’s a lot of learning to do. From growing, to marketing, to creating networks, there are classes available. And most of these can be done within a relatively short commute.
Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training/Craft
(www.craftontario.ca) Craft Ontario was created by farmers for farmers as they know that the best way to learn about organic growing is to immerse yourself into the field (literally). Through Craft you are able to find lists upon lists of farms offering seasonal to year-long internships.
(www.craftontario.ca) Craft Ontario was created by farmers for farmers as they know that the best way to learn about organic growing is to immerse yourself into the field (literally). Through Craft you are able to find lists upon lists of farms offering seasonal to year-long internships.
FarmStart www.farmstart.ca:
FarmStart’s motive is to help new farmers get the skills and resources necessary to start up. With programs directed to provide practical tools, financial and physical resources, skills training and networking opportunities, they cover most of the educational bases. With the recent addition of the Landmark Start-Up Farm they are helping to change the organic sector of Hamilton and assist new farmers with additional resources such as mentorship, land and equipment.
FarmStart’s motive is to help new farmers get the skills and resources necessary to start up. With programs directed to provide practical tools, financial and physical resources, skills training and networking opportunities, they cover most of the educational bases. With the recent addition of the Landmark Start-Up Farm they are helping to change the organic sector of Hamilton and assist new farmers with additional resources such as mentorship, land and equipment.
The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association/OSCIA
www.ontariosoilcrop.org: OSCIA offers numerous assistance programs for new farmers including grants, business and educational programs.
Hamilton Community Garden Network (hcgn.ca):
Change is happening in our parks and many of our solitary city spaces: community gardens, volunteer run gardens and gardens for kids are being born. Many of us don’t have the space available to grow or own food. Thanks to the hands at the HCGN network, space is available to create your own veggie garden and learn from your neighbouring gardeners.
Change is happening in our parks and many of our solitary city spaces: community gardens, volunteer run gardens and gardens for kids are being born. Many of us don’t have the space available to grow or own food. Thanks to the hands at the HCGN network, space is available to create your own veggie garden and learn from your neighbouring gardeners.
Environment Hamilton www.environmenthamilton.org:
Like my teachers taught me in art class as a kid, its best to take a look at other people’s work to get inspiration for your own. Every summer Environment Hamilton stimulates the city with Rural Routes; bus tours of farms in the Hamilton area. This year join Rural Routes for a Trip to Weir’s Lavender Farm in July.
Like my teachers taught me in art class as a kid, its best to take a look at other people’s work to get inspiration for your own. Every summer Environment Hamilton stimulates the city with Rural Routes; bus tours of farms in the Hamilton area. This year join Rural Routes for a Trip to Weir’s Lavender Farm in July.
The Mustard Seed mustardseed.coop
As Hamilton’s only food cooperative gets into motion The Mustard Seed is dedicated to provide education and information (the 5th cooperative principle) to its members and the Hamilton community. Keep updated with new initiatives, including farm tours, fundraisers and member only parties where you will be able to meet farmers, educators, foodies & have a whole lot of fun.
As Hamilton’s only food cooperative gets into motion The Mustard Seed is dedicated to provide education and information (the 5th cooperative principle) to its members and the Hamilton community. Keep updated with new initiatives, including farm tours, fundraisers and member only parties where you will be able to meet farmers, educators, foodies & have a whole lot of fun.
Wwoof/World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms
www.wwoofinternational.org: Learn about rice paddies in China, exotic fruit in Hawaii or South America, or explore the roots of permaculture in Africa or Australia. The Wwoof network is extensive and includes farms in almost every country world-wide including hundreds in North America. Many of these farms take families and so, instead of a winter vacation to an all-inclusive resort, what about harvesting coconuts instead?
www.wwoofinternational.org: Learn about rice paddies in China, exotic fruit in Hawaii or South America, or explore the roots of permaculture in Africa or Australia. The Wwoof network is extensive and includes farms in almost every country world-wide including hundreds in North America. Many of these farms take families and so, instead of a winter vacation to an all-inclusive resort, what about harvesting coconuts instead?
Miranda Black – Artist, farmer, educator and yoga instructor.
Mirandala.wordpress.com
For more farm articles check out: BecomingResilient.wordpress.com
Email: MirandaSBlack@hotmail.com
Mirandala.wordpress.com
For more farm articles check out: BecomingResilient.wordpress.com
Email: MirandaSBlack@hotmail.com
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