Grow Organic - increasing certified organic acres

Transition Advisor Program

New!

COG PWW is launching a new program to support farmers interested in transition. We are working with a team of certified organic farmers throughout south-western Ontario to provide individual support to new or experienced farmers to support you through each stage of the transition process, including record keeping and paper work. Support can happen over the phone, email, on your farm or the advisors farm, and can also include recommending resources and training and helping you network with other certified organic farmers in your area. It also includes group workshops and farm tours at each of the advisors farms.

The program is offered free of charge for 2010 as this is our pilot season!


If you are interested in more details, please contact us here.

If you are ready to get started, please contact one of our advisors below.

Small-scale produce and fruit (<5 acres) - Theresa Schumilas, Garden Party, 519-885-8775, email

For background and a bio for Theresa, click here.

Large-scale produce (>5 acres) - Gavin Dandy, Everdale Organic Farm, 519-855-4859 x104, email

For background and a bio for Gavin, click here.

Livestock (large and small) and field crops - Sean McGivern, Grassroots Organic EcoFarm and Market, 519-794-4445, email

For background and a bio for Sean, click here.

Diary, livestock, and field crops - Martin Degroot, Mapleton's Organic Farm, 519-638-1115, email

For background and a bio for Martin, click here.

 

LearningWorkshops

COG PWW offers workshops each winter based on COG's resources. Check out our events page for upcoming workshops in your area.

Or, if you have a group of 5 or more farmers interested in a workshop in the Perth, Waterloo, Wellington or surrounding areas, contact us.

We offer the following workshops:

  • Intro to Transition
  • Transitioning the Small Produce Farm
  • Transition to Organic Crop Production
  • Transition to Organic Livestock Production
  • Record Keeping for Organic Farmers
  • Crop Planning for the Vegetable Grower
  • Growing Potatoes Organically

 

Organic Growing Tips

A seasonal feature showcasing techniques for growing certified organic produce, based on our experience at Diversity Gardens, COG PWW's certified organic demonstration gardens. For updates on what is happening at Diversity Gardens, check out our garden blog here.

 

Fall 2009 - organic sweet corn

Past tips:

Summer 2009 - growing organic strawberries

Spring 2009 - tips for growing organic asparagus

Winter 2009 - sourcing heritage seed

 

Production Clubs

COG PWW provides support to local producers through production clubs. The role of the production club is to share and learn together, as well as organize around a local producer-controlled distribution model.

In 2007-2008 COG PWW worked with a group of 15 local producers who organized around a cooperative model. LOFT (Local Organic Fair Trade) launched a local, organic food box program in the spring of 2008 which sees products from its 15 members being pooled and stored in a central facility, then packed and distributed to depots throughout the region for pick-up by consumers.

In 2008-2009 we worked with a group of nine local producers who have organized around an online market. The Farmer's Field Grower's Collective sells their local, organic produce through The Commons Market, an online buying club, and members can pick up their order in downtown Kitchener at the Queen Street Cafe every Wednesday.

In 2009-2010 we are interested in working with orchard fruit and berry producers. Contact us if you are interested.

 

Farm Profiles

The PWW region makes an important contribution to organic agriculture in the Ontario context. Overall, 10.4% of Ontario’s organic farms are located in the PWW area according to 2006 Agricultural Census data. Read the full report here to learn more about organic agriculture in the region.

Learn more about our local and organic farms in the PWW area here.

Contact us for information on how to get your farm profiled.

Resources

  • Practical Skills Handbooks
    • Intro to Certified Organic Farming
    • Gaining Ground: Transitioning to Organic Farming
    • Organic Livestock Handbook
    • Organic Field Crop Handbook
    • Living with Worms in Organic Sheep Production
    • Growing Potatoes Organically – from Market Garden to Field Crop

Coming soon:

    • Record-Keeping for Organic Farmers: how to get and stay certified
    • Crop Planning for the Vegetable Grower
    • Scaling Up Organically
    • Growing Small Fruit Organically
     
  • COG’s mailing library

Explore our Links page for more resources to support organic food production.

Contact Farm Profiles