Farmers-In-Training Workshop Series
The Vancouver Urban Farming Society is pleased to be able to offer workshops designed specifically for farmers-in-training – those working as apprentices, interns, volunteers and employees on urban farms. These workshops are designed to offer additional skills and experience, addressing topics that may not be easily accessible directly through their working experience.
Upcoming Workshops
Cover Cropping
When: Wednesday, September 9, 4:30-6:30pm
Where: City Beet Farm, Mount Pleasant
Cover cropping is a key practice in Organic and sustainable agriculture. When utilized effectively cover cropping can be a means of building soil and fertility, managing water, preventing erosion, breaking disease and pest cycles, reversing the effects of compaction, encouraging beneficial insects and pollinators, and adding to the aesthetic value of a farm or garden.
Irrigation Systems Workshop
When: Saturday, September 12, 2-5pm
Where: UBC Farm
This workshop will cover the basic anatomy of an irrigation system and its different components as well as selection of appropriate system for different crops, spaces, budgets, and scales. We will cover different types of systems, including overhead and drip irrigation, their benefits, and disadvantages. We will go from a simple backyard system to multi acre mixed vegetables farm scale. Students will also learn in the process the concepts of flow, pressure, friction, and scheduling.
In a future of continued water stress and drought, it is important to understand what irrigation systems work best for your farming situation, and how to use them most effectively to conserve water and function economically.
Past Workshops
Farming in a Changing Climate: Planning for Drought & Heat Tolerance
When: Thursday August 20th 6:00–8:30 PM
Where: UBC Botanical Gardens
Cost: $10/person
Co-hosted by UBC Botanical Garden, Vancouver Urban Farming Society, SPEC’s Urban Farmer Field School and Kitsilano Neighbourhood House.
Learn local techniques for how to be water friendly during this dry summer. Three experts will share their knowledge and techniques for waterwise gardens. Dr. Tara Moreau will highlight the global impacts of climate change on agriculture in the Pacific Northwest, Jose Celedon will share some hands-on tips and techniques about drip/trickle irrigation. UBC Botanical Horticulturalist Nadine Robinson will explore how garden design, native plants and plant selection can reduce your water usage. This workshop is intended for small and medium food gardens and we will share ideas to intelligently hydrate your plants
Beekeeping in an Urban Context
When: Friday, June 26, 3-5 pm
Where: Hastings Urban Farm, 58 Hastings St West
What: Learn the basics of beekeeping, how to care for bees, and how to integrate beekeeping in an urban farming context
Click here for more details and to register.
Intro to Organic Certification
When: Monday, July 6, 4:30-6:00 pm
Where: Shady Acre Farm, 12520 Blundell Rd, Richmond
What: Learn what is required to transition to certified organic, discuss why or why not to certify, and how organic farming is different in an urban context.
Click here for more details and to register.
This workshop will be followed by a Young Agrarians potluck and social event. Attendees are welcome to come for the workshop and stay for the potluck, or come just for the potluck (and farm tour).
Stay tuned for more Farmer-In-Training workshops happening throughout the summer!
Have more Farmer-In-Training workshops you would like to see? Email karly@urbanfarmers.ca.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.