OSCIA

Funding Program Opportunities
2025-03-04 13:00 - 16:30 (America/Toronto) | Grey Ag Services, 206 Toronto St S, Markdale, Ontario, N0C 1H0, Canada
It is difficult to keep track of all of the initiatives and programs that farmers can take advantage of. We have gathered the experts from ALUS Grey Bruce, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority, Ducks Unlimited, OMAFA, OSCIA, Agriculture Credit Corporation, Feeder Finance, Stewardship Grey Bruce, Grey County and Georgian College to give you a clear and concise summary of the funding opportunities that they offer. Course fee is $20.00. Please RSVP to info@greyagservices.ca.

Profitable Pastures Webinar Series
2025-03-04 19:30 - 20:30, 2025-03-05 19:30 - 20:30, 2025-03-06 19:30 - 20:30 | Ontario
Profitable Pastures is a webinar series that focuses on pasture management best management practices. The 2025 webinar series is scheduled for March 4th, 5th, and 6th. Each webinar is held at 7:30pm EST. Registration is required but there is no cost.
March 4, 2025 – 7:30pm EST
Grazing Networking Group: What It Is & How It Benefits Our Operation by Jim Whitley

March 5, 2025 – 7:30pm EST
What Grass Wants by Dr. Eric Lyons With Dr. Marcus Talamani

Dr. Eric M. LyonsDr. Marcus Talamini

March 6, 2025 – 7:30pm EST
Special Considerations For Grazing Sheep & Dairy Cows by Christine O’Reilly

REGISTER (FREE) HERE.
Profitable Pastures is an OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Rotational Grazing category.

East Central Farm Show
2025-03-05 09:30 - 2025-03-06 16:00 | Lindsay Fairgrounds, Lindsay, ON, Canada
Free for 2025 OSCIA members

Ottawa Carleton SCIA Annual Seed Show
2025-03-07 08:30 - 12:00 | North Gower Community Centre, 2330 Community Way, North Gower, Canada
The Ottawa Carleton SCIA annual seed show is being held Friday March 7th at the North Gower community center. All are welcome to attend! Please find the attached poster for details. Reminder: If you have not yet renewed your membership, please renew online or in person at the seed show. You must be an active member to submit entries for the seed show. Entries can be sent to julia@sullivanagro.ca ahead of time, Name/Farm name and Class number.

March Manure Mondays
2025-03-10 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-17 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-31 14:00 - 15:00 | Ontario
March Manure Mondays 2025 Poster

MARCH MANURE MONDAYS 2025 from 2pm-3pm (ET)
March 10th – Fine-tuning Manure Nutrient Availability
Manure application can reduce fertilizer needs, improve soil health and increase yields. Kirsten Workman and Quirine Ketterings (Cornell, NY) will provide an overview of manure research that helped quantify the nitrogen replacement value from manure to determine MERN (most economic rate of N) as well as the impacts to microbial biomass for sites with and without manure.
March 17th – In-crop application using 360 Rain to improve 4R practices
Handling the dilute liquids that remain after solids separation is expensive and time consuming. Scott Shearer (Ohio State U) will discuss the opportunities of new technology like 360 Rain for in-crop application of manure liquids for improved 4R nutrient management, water management yields in a value-enhanced circular economy.
March 31st Application strategies to maximize N and reduce GHG losses in the field.
Nitrogen inhibitors help reduce N loss and nitrous oxide emissions for fertilizer, but what about manure? Heather Darby (U of Vermont) and Debbie Aller will evaluate research results that compare application timing, injection vs surface application, use of biochar and other technologies that can reduce emissions.

Where? Online through Zoom

Visit the link to register!

March Manure Monday sessions for March 10, 17 and 31st is an OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Nitrogen Management category.

Making Pasture Work for Farmers with E. Ann Clark
2025-03-13 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-03-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Ontario
Sign up for all or part of the 5-part Program – These webinars are OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Events (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Rotational Grazing category.

Why Attend?

Learn how to maximize net profits by minimizing inputs
Envision what pasture can do for you and for your land, both on its own and as a service provider for the whole farm
Connect with a community of farmers and landowners to share knowledge and solutions

Learn from Ann Clark (academic and farmer), who is a widely-recognized expert. She began farming 14 years ago after more than 30 years as a professor at the University of Guelph. Her research and teaching focused on plant science, especially grazing and pasture management. In her “retirement” she custom grazes beef and pastures poultry on her farm near Warkworth in Northumberland County.

Session One: Making Roughland Pasture Work for Farmers
March 13 | 7:00-8:30pm | Online
Pasture is the best, if not the only economic use of non-arable land, of which we have an abundance in Central Ontario. Yet pasture suffers from a PR problem. For those interested in net rather than in gross income – in making money by not spending money – managed grass is the ticket. During this webinar, learn how two area graziers have displaced infrastructure and inputs with creative and profitable approaches to roughland grazing. Participants will receive presentation materials in advance to review and give time to raise questions/comments relating to their own farm.

Session 2: Making Arable Pasture Work for Farmers
March 20 | 7:00-8:30pm | Online
Agriculture that degrades its own soil cannot claim to be sustainable. If you were tasked with designing a cropping system that not only increased net returns but also reversed soil quality decline, what would it look like? Would perennial swards or grazing livestock play a central role? What is a grassland ley, and which mixture might you want to plant? What services do pasture and livestock offer to whole farm management? This session will focus on answering these questions, as illustrated with practical examples drawn from the farming community. Participants will receive presentation materials in advance to review and give time to raise questions/comments relating to their own farm.

Where? Online through Google Meet
Visit the link to register!
Cost? Webinars are $45 each, with additional package pricings to register for the entire 5-part Program.

North Simcoe SCIA Annual Seed Fair
2025-03-14 09:00 - 15:30 | Elmvale Community Centre
Download the brochure.
March 14: Elmvale Community Centre
Entries can be dropped off Mar. 13 (2-5 pm). On Mar. 14, judging is at 9am; there is also a line-up of speakers. Membership cards can be picked up and membership dues paid at the event.

Understanding Your Soil Test: Part 1
2025-03-18 13:00 - 14:30 | Ontario
Taking soil tests both for nutrients and biology are important management techniques so that ecological farmers can increase yields, improve crop quality, reduce weed problems and improve soil health. Join Ken Laing for this free Member Month webinar to learn how to take a soil sample, where to send it and help you understand the results when you get them back. You will leave with an understanding of what your nutrient and biological goals should be.
Join the second webinar where Ken will discuss what amendments and/or cover crops you might use to correct deficiencies you find. Learn more and register for Part 2 on March 25.
Both webinars will be relevant to growers of all sizes.

Ken Laing of Orchard Hill Farm has farmed with his wife Martha near St.Thomas since 1979 when he graduated from the University of Guelph with a B.Sc. in Agriculture. From 1979 until 1996 they produced pick-your-own fruit, and they transitioned to organic in 1989. From 1997 until 2017 they operated a CSA for up to 250 members. Pasture has been a part of their farm rotation for 44 years in terms of draft horses and more recently since 2015 also with cattle and custom grazing.

When? Tuesday, March 18, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Where? Online via Zoom
Visit the link to reserve your spot!

Understanding Your Soil Test: Part 1 is an OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Nitrogen Management category.

Getting Out Alive – A Pathway Through Lambing Season
2025-03-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Grey Ag Services, 206 Toronto St S, Markdale, Ontario, N0C 1H0, Canada
How to prepare your ewes for a successful lambing season and trouble to look out for. Course fee is $20.00. Please RSVP to info@greyagservices.ca by at least 2 days prior to the workshop. This course will be led by Dr. Chris Buschbeck of Markdale Veterinary Services and offered in-person at Grey Ag Services and online through Zoom.

UTRCA Landowners Workshop
2025-03-19 19:00 - 21:00 | St Marys Pyramid Recreation Centre, 317 James St. S. NULL, St Marys, 9, Canada
Mark your calendars for a free, informative 2-hour workshop at the St. Marys Pyramid Centre – Friendship Centre Hall! This event brings together experts and local landowners to discuss solutions for improving soil health, water quality, tree planting and sustainable agricultural practices.
Attend this workshop and learn more about the highlights below:
Soil Health, Water Quality & Tree Planting
Improving soil health and water quality on farms, tree planting plus available funding programs.
Speaker: Chris Van Esbroeck, UTRCA Agricultural Stewardship Specialist
Best Management Practices
Best management practices, including nutrient management, reduced tillage, cover crops, and more.
Speaker: Sara & Chris Wood, AAC Vice Chair & Landowners
Conservation Drainage
Conservation drainage and its role in sustainable farming.
Speaker: Mel Luymes, Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario Executive Director
Supporting Aquatic Life through Stewardship
Speaker: Erin Carroll, UTRCA Aquatic Biologist

When? Wednesday, March 19, 7 pm to 9 pm
Where? Pyramid Recreation Centre, 317 James Street South, Saint Marys, ON N4X 1B6
Visit the link to reserve your spot!
Cost? Free!

UTRCA Landowners Workshop is an OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Cover Cropping category.

Why Farm Insurance Matters: A Crucial Investment
2025-03-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Grey Ag Services, 206 Toronto St S, Markdale, Ontario, N0C 1H0, Canada
In this course, you’ll explore the vital role of farm and rural insurance packages and how they can support the growth of your operation. Discover practical tools for managing risks, choose the coverage that fits your needs, and clear up common misconceptions, all with insights tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of rural Ontario. Please attend with your questions. Representatives from Trillium Mutual, Howick Mutual and Edge Mutual Insurance Companies will all be on hand to present the topic. Course fee is $20.00. Please RSVP to info@greyagservices.ca.

Regenerative Agriculture 101
2025-03-20 18:30 - 21:30 | Grey Ag Services, 206 Toronto St S, Markdale, Ontario, N0C 1H0, Canada
What is it?  Why are we talking about it?  How does one ‘do’ it? Join Grey Ag Services for this interactive workshop to find out! Course fee is $20.00 and can be attended in-person at Grey Ag Services, or online through Zoom. Please RSVP to info@greyagservices.ca by at least 2 days prior to the workshop.

Planned Grazing for Profit with Greg Judy
2025-03-22 09:00 - 17:00 | Creemore Station On The Green, 10 Caroline Street E. NULL, Creemore, 9, Canada
Greg Judy Event Flyer _ PDF Standard
What We’ll Cover:

Building healthy soil and profit with planned grazing.
Maximizing daily animal performance for high profits.
Grass finishing livestock with perennial pastures.
Tips for finding profitable grazing leases and working with landowners.
Economical water and fencing techniques.

Why You Should Attend:

Greg Judy is an experienced rancher and educator who has transformed depleted land into thriving pastures—without buying land or relying on expensive inputs.

Boost Your Profits – Learn how to run a successful grazing operation with low costs and high returns
Regenerate Your Land – Discover mob grazing techniques that restore soil health and increase biodiversity9
Build a Sustainable Business – Master the art of leasing land and running a farm without heavy debt
Raise Healthier Livestock – Improve herd performance by working with nature, not against it
Gain Real-World Knowledge – Greg shares practical, no-nonsense advice that you can apply immediately

Whether you’re a seasoned or a beginner farmer, this event will give you the tools and knowledge to create a more resilient and profitable operation.

About Greg Judy:

Greg Judy is an American regenerative rancher, author, and speaker. He runs Green Pastures Farm in Missouri, where he practices mob grazing techniques using cattle, sheep, and pigs to restore soil health and increase biodiversity.

Author of No Risk Ranching and Comeback Farms, Judy frequently shares his knowledge to help farmers transition to regenerative practices that improve soil fertility, water retention, and overall farm profitability. As a strong advocate for leasing land instead of purchasing it, his approach focuses on low-cost, high-profit farming that works in harmony with nature.

To learn more about Greg Judy, visit his website or YouTube page.

When? Saturday, March 22, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where? Station on the Green | 10 Caroline St E, Creemore
Visit the link to reserve your spot!
Cost? $30 and lunch will be provided

Planned Grazing for Profit with Greg Judy is an OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Rotational Grazing category.

Waterloo AGM
2025-03-24 09:30 - 15:00 | Floradale Mennonite Church, 22 Florapine Road NULL, Floradale, 9, Canada
Waterloo Soil and Crop Improvement Association Annual Meeting
March 24, 2025
Flordale Mennonite Church 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

AGENDA

9:30 a.m. Registration & coffee 10:00 a.m. Welcome
10:05 a.m. OSCIA updates
Lois Sinclair, Regional Program Lead John Poel, Heartland Region Director GRCA update
10: 45 a.m. Austin Bruch, CCA
11:45 a.m. AGM

Noon Sponsor welcome and lunch
1:00 p.m. Planter set up: getting it right
Cameron Lago, Argis 2000 Ltd.
1:30 p.m. Ben Rosser, OMAFA Corn Specialist
DON, tar spot, and more: growing great corn
2:15 p.m. Laura Ferrier, CCA, Grain Farmers of Ontario Agronomist
Grain Farmers of Ontario tools and resources
2:30 p.m. Panel discussion: ask the speakers your questions!

Quinte SCIA Crop Protection & Spray Summit
2025-03-25 09:00 - 15:00 | Best Western Plus Cobourg, 930 Burnham Street, Cobourg, ON, Canada
Take Your Spray Game to the Next Level!
Join us for a high-impact day of practical learning, expert insights, and hands-on demos designed for spray operators. Get the latest strategies to maximize yields, reduce input costs, and improve spray efficiency.

What’s In It for You?
✅ Weed Control Strategies – Learn practical approaches to managing waterhemp and fleabane.✅ Herbicide Best Practices – Get insights on cover crop compatibility, wheat herbicide programs, and tank mixing.✅ Spray Efficiency Tips – Improve droplet management, nozzle selection, water quality, and adjuvant use.✅ Hands-On Tech Demos – See the Crop Protection Hub in action and explore closed chemical handling systems.✅ Farmer-to-Farmer Learning – Network with experts and fellow spray operators to share real-world experiences.

Featured Experts:
🌱 Mike Cowbrough (OMAFA) – Strategies for weed control and crop protection.🚜 Darren McColm & Chadd Taylor (WinField United Canada) – Precision spraying, drift control, and nozzle selection.🌾 Ed Hansen (CanGrow Crop Solutions) – Enhancing safety and efficiency with closed chemical handling.

Stay Updated!
📲 Follow us on X and Facebook for speaker spotlights and event details!📢 Use the hashtag #SpraySummit2025 to join the conversation!

Ticket Info:
🎟️ Non-Members: $40🎟️ OSCIA Members: $20🍴 Lunch is included with your ticket.

Not a Member or Need to Renew?
Join or renew your OSCIA membership before purchasing your event ticket to unlock the discounted member rate! Membership comes with exclusive benefits, networking opportunities, and savings on events like this one.
➡ Sign up or renew now: Membership LinkThen come back to grab your discounted ticket!

Understanding Your Soil Test: Part 2
2025-03-25 13:00 - 14:30 | Ontario
Taking soil tests both for nutrients and biology are important management techniques so that ecological farmers can increase yields, improve crop quality, reduce weed problems and improve soil health. In Part 2 of this free Member Month webinar, Ken Laing will discuss what amendments and cover crops you might use to correct deficiencies you find from your soil testing.

Ken Laing of Orchard Hill Farm has farmed with his wife Martha near St.Thomas since 1979 when he graduated from the University of Guelph with a B.Sc. in Agriculture. From 1979 until 1996 they produced pick-your-own fruit, and they transitioned to organic in 1989. From 1997 until 2017 they operated a CSA for up to 250 members. Pasture has been a part of their farm rotation for 44 years in terms of draft horses and more recently since 2015 also with cattle and custom grazing.

When? Tuesday, March 25, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Where? Online via Zoom
Visit the link to reserve your spot!

Understanding Your Soil Test: Part 2 is an OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Nitrogen Management category.

March Grower Meeting
2025-03-26 08:30 - 13:00 | Courtland Community Center, 272 Main Street, Courtland, ON, Canada
Norfolk Compaction Day results, New Technology from Precision Planting, Water Movement in Soils under Irrigation Systems and Cost Share Opportunities for 2025.
OSCIA members Free! Non-Members $15 to cover lunch
Contact Tracey: 519-532-2959 or tkcourt@execulink.com

Building for the Future: Considerations for New Dairy Barns
2025-03-26 09:30 - 12:30 | Grey Ag Services, 206 Toronto St S, Markdale, Ontario, N0C 1H0, Canada
Dairy farms with aging barns that are close to outlasting their intended lifespan present producers with opportunities to renew their housing.  The decision to invest in the future brings many options into focus. This presentation will examine the process and discuss features that producers may want to consider as options to include.  This course aims to discuss cow comfort considerations and future opportunities such as manure handling for future co-products, in-barn technology options, creating efficiencies for labour and tips for the planning process. The course will be led by Tom Wright (Dairy Cattle Specialist), Cynthia Miltenburg (Lead Veterinarian, Animal Health and Welfare), Christoph Wand (Livestock Sustainability Specialist), and Angie Wilson (Dairy Specialist), all of OMAFA. Course fee is $20.00. Please RSVP to info@greyagservices.ca by at least 2 days prior to the workshop.

Crop Plans for Success, 2025
2025-03-27 13:30 - 16:00 | Grey Ag Services, 206 Toronto St S, Markdale, Ontario, N0C 1H0, Canada
Let’s discuss what was learned from 2024 and see how to apply that to crop plans in 2025. This is your opportunity to ‘pick the brains of Deb Campbell (Agronomy Advantage) and Carrie Davenport (Georgian View Ag Services). Don’t miss this opportunity! Course fee is $20.00. Please RSVP to info@greyagservices.ca. This workshop will be offered in-person at Grey Ag Services and online through Zoom.

Seeding Cover Crops using Drones
2025-03-28 15:00 - 16:00 | Ontario
Seeding Cover Crops with Drones Ad – Jay
Join us to hear agricultural experts talk about cover cropping using drones based on their experiences and research.

Please note that the OFCAF program guide for the upcoming cover cropping intake is not currently available. As program details are subject to possible change between intakes, the KSE opportunity is meant to share broad knowledge on cover cropping techniques.

When? Friday, March 28 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where? Online via Zoom
Visit the link to reserve your spot!

Seeding Cover Crops using Drones is an OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Cover Cropping category.

Considering Renting your Farmland? Collaboration on Farmland Rental Agreements for Farmers and Landowners
2025-04-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Bruce Kelly, Program Consultant, Farm & Food Care Ontario will lead this course on Farmland Rental Agreements, offering farmers and landowners a unique opportunity to learn how to work together and effectively develop a written agreement that works well for both parties over time. Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful rental agreement. It’s not just about the financial aspect but also about creating a win-win situation. Farmers need to see the benefits of good management in the long term, and landowners need reassurance about managing their land. As more of Ontario’s farming is done on rented land, the significance of farmer-landowner relationships is increasing. A solution is a simple yet effective written lease. The lease would outline both parties’ responsibilities and helps set collaborative goals, define the financial terms, and clarify the land management. It gives the farmer the security to make suitable land management investments with a longer-term perspective. And what about the cost? Will the rent be a flat rate? When will it be paid? Will the rate change over time? Will the rental amount be based on some formula that considers the value of the crop produced? And what about capital improvements? Who pays for a new culvert, a load of gravel or fencing repairs? The workshop will cover topics such as the benefits of written leases, effective communication strategies, capital investments and basic rental formulas. **Please note that land rental rates will not be discussed.** Webinar fee is $12.00. Please RSVP to info@greyagservices.ca.

Durham Soil and Crop Spring Meeting
2025-04-03 09:00 - 15:00 | Victoria County Grains, 17961 Simcoe S., Manilla, Ontario, K0M 2J0
Durham Soil and Crop spring meeting is being hosted at Victoria County Grains in Manilla April 3rd. Keynote speaker “Jason Mauck is an Indiana Farmer obsessed with farming efficiency: A true maverick apostle of relay cropping and farmer fueled by love of family, Mauck is bringing change to agriculture, one row at a time.” AgWeb Farm Journal
The event will also feature sprayer application equipment with updates on the latest in crop protection practices.

Keeping ‘Excellent’ Farm Records with MS Excel
2025-04-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Grey Ag Services, 206 Toronto St S, Markdale, Ontario, N0C 1H0, Canada
Learn how to create and manipulate Excel spreadsheets to manage data on your farm. In this course we will cover basic features, learn how to use formulas and sorting functions, and create record keeping templates for things like financials, herd management or simple rations. Participants should bring their own laptops with MS Excel installed as it will be an interactive workshop. Course fee is $20.00. Please RSVP to info@greyagservices.ca.

Working and Training Livestock Guardian Dogs
2025-04-05 13:00 - 16:00 | Grey Ag Services, 206 Toronto St S, Markdale, Ontario, N0C 1H0, Canada
This course will be presented by Anne Poirier, EMCA-P, IAABC-ADT, CTDI, CCFC. SDJ, AACE, Rescue Rehab Director of Peartree Animal Wellness Center. She will cover the difference between breeds and what to consider when getting an LGD; the importance in socializing your pup/new LGD; and how and when to introduce them to livestock.  Anne will also cover various training methods she uses for different situations as well as various ways to trouble shoot problems such as chasing, guarding humans instead of livestock, or guarding food station and food bowls etc. Course fee is $20.00. Please RSVP to info@greyagservices.ca by at least 2 days prior to the workshop. This workshop will be offered in-person at Grey Ag Services and online through Zoom.

The Agronomists - RealAgriculture: Terminating Cover Crops
2025-04-07 20:00 - 21:00 | Ontario
Tune in to The Agronomists by RealAgriculture to learn about Terminating Cover Crops from Jake Munroe, OMAFA and from additional guests.

When? Monday, April 7, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where? Online
Registration: Please register to Margaret May by emailing mmay@ontariosoilcrop.org or call 226-973-3548
The Agronomists – RealAgriculture: Terminating Cover Crops is an OSCIA-recognized Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Cover Cropping category.
