Farm News and Events

About this event: 

Vertical hydroponic farming, an in-field multifunctional robot, biodigesters, freeze driers and aquaculture - all in one morning! Durham College is sharing their passion for innovation, sustainable agriculture, and strengthening local food systems with us and you are invited!

Our first stop is The Barrett Centre in Ajax. They are Durham College’s dynamic new urban farm and hub of innovation in urban agricultural practices, research, education and training. Home to:
 

• market garden & flower ranges,
• hoop houses,
• apiary,
• indoor Growcer vertical farm

A 20 minute drive will bring us to The Whitby Campus Urban Farm. It is considered a living lab, where students have the ability to experience hands-on learning. Our tour will include:
 

• market gardens and greenhouses
• indoor farm and aquaponic growing areas
• freeze driers
• Biodigester
• A demonstration of Oz , the autonomous weeder

Show your Love for Local food, and join Farms at Work for a tour of the Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre. OAFVC is a unique food manufacturing facility in our region, helping food entrepreneurs and farmers bring Made in Ontario products to market. 

What to Expect

A guided tour with the manager of the Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre while it is in operation. We will finish our food innovation experience by sampling a few of the over 550 Made in Ontario products made by local food entrepreneurs and farmers at the OAFVC.

Register for Module 4 of the Durham Agriculture Leadership Program: How to be a voice for agriculture.

Tuesday April 8, 12pm – 4pm. Nestleton Community Center.

The program features two keynote speakers: 

• Andrew Campbell, Fresh Air Farmer
  • How to tell your story and connect the with non-farming audiences
• Angus R. Kelly, Government Relations Specialist and Lobbyist from Washington D.C.
  • How to effectively communicate with decision makers to advance agriculture

Learn more and register here: Durham Agriculture Leadership Program Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Telling your agricultural story to the general public and decision makers has never been more important than it is today. We hope to see you out to hear from these two dynamic speakers! 

Join Farms at Work and farmer Andy Harjula for a hands-on exploration of fruit tree propagation and grafting. This event will dive into the fascinating world of layering, budding, and tree grafting. Attendees will take home their own grafted apple tree sapling ready for planting and new knowledge and skills to apply in your garden or orchard.

This workshop is designed for beginners but is also a great refresher for those with some experience. Whether you're looking to expand your home orchard, experiment with new varieties, or simply learn a valuable skill, this event is for you. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your skills and take home a unique, grafted apple tree. 

What to Expect

Interactive Learning: Andy will guide you through the basics of layering, budding, and grafting, sharing practical tips and techniques.

Hands-On Practice: Each participant will receive a Hardiness Zone 4 apple tree to practice grafting other apple varieties on to.

All Materials Provided.

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Peterborough Country Agricultural Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony!  

Nomination forms are being accepted until May 1st, and a list of this year's inductees will be announced mid-summer.

The ceremony will take place at 2pm on Sunday, August 24th at Lang Pioneer Village Museum, in the Agricultural Heritage Building.  Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.  

www.ptboagwall.com

Durham Agricultural Leadership Program

There is still time to register for the Durham Agricultural Leadership Program! Learn about a variety of topics that will help you empower and lead your farm business (and agricultural organizations) to new successes. Take advantage of the opportunity to hear from and talk with speakers from across the province, country and North America. They will address relevant topics and important skills in agricultural leadership. Our next Module runs on March 25 and will feature a presentation on Strategic Management for the Growing Operation, and a great lineup of farmer panelists who will share their business stories including: Sheldon Creek Dairy - John den Haan, Haggerty Creek Ltd. - Chuck Baresich, Brantview Apples and Cider - Jay Howell, Enright Cattle Co. - Kara Enright, and Apple Hill Lavender Farm – Jennifer Schooley. 

Learn more about the next 2 modules and register here: 

Durham Agriculture Leadership Program Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Darling Insurance is offering an educational workshop to help you better understand the complexities of insuring your farm business.  ​

Join Darling Insurance and our trusted Insurance Partners for a Farm Insurance Check-Up!​

During the workshop, we will cover topics including:

• Understanding your policy   ​
• Key differences in coverages​
• What coinsurance means for you​
• When to call your insurance broker​
• Defining a material change in risk​
• Covering a farm business or on-farm diversified use.
• Selling produce or farm products
• Insights on inspections and claims​
• Open question period for all your inquiries​, this will be a panel discussion format. 

Please note:  We are providing a light supper and space is limited so pre-registration is required. Please contact us to register. 

Our Darling Insurance Agribusiness Team all have farm backgrounds.  We are farmers helping farmers, and Dave, Julie, Christine and Laura are more than happy to help you with your insurance