Improving Farm Resiliency Webinar
2025-12-08 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Toronto)
Registration for this event is now full and has officially closed.

Thank you to everyone who signed up – interest exceeded expectations, and we’re looking forward to a full room of engaged participants.Join us to hear Laura Van Eerd discuss the data behind implementing practices like crop rotation, cover crops, reduced tillage and the benefits on yield stability, soil health, and resiliency.

We will then pair this data with on the ground experiences from farmers across Ontario who have been implementing different practices. Hear from Dean Orr (York Region), Steve Sickle (Brant County) and Thomas Farrell (Bruce County) about what resilience means on their farms and how practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, residue management, and other have impacted their operations.

Finally, Jake Munroe (OMAFA) will be sharing some of the resources available to growers to assist with adverse weather and building resiliency.

We will then have time for discussion and questions at the end for Laura, Jake, and our farmer panelists.

Kerr Farms Soil Health Shop Night
2026-03-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Kerr Farms Workshop 309 Indian Creek Road E. Chatham, Ontario, 309 Indian Creek Road E, Chatham, ON, N7M 0M5, Canada
Join local farmers for an informal evening conversation about soil health and practical changes happening on real farms.

This is not a presentation or workshop. The goal is to create a farmer-to-farmer discussion space where participants can share experiences, ask questions, and talk openly about what’s working in their fields.

The evening will begin with a simple question:

“What have you done on your farm that you’re pleased with?”

From there, the conversation will explore topics such as:

Soil health practices

Cover crops

Reduced tillage

Practical on-farm experimentation

Lessons learned over time

Farmers are encouraged to bring their own questions and experiences to share.

What to Expect

Open conversation format

Farmer-led discussion

Local experiences and practical insights

Space for questions and idea sharing

No presentations.No experts.Just local farmers talking about what’s working.

Who Should Attend

Farmers interested in soil health and practical on-farm experimentation.

Researchers and others interested in listening and learning are welcome, but the focus of the evening is conversation among farmers.

Hosted By

Bob Kerr – Kerr Farms

Additional Details

Coffee will be available.

No registration required

2025 Adaptive Nitrogen Trial Results Webinar
2026-04-01 13:00 - 14:30
Join OSN, EFAO, and FCS FaRM for a webinar sharing results from the 2025 Adaptive Nitrogen Trials.

The Adaptive Nitrogen Trials are designed to help farmers dial in the most profitable nitrogen rates on their farms. These “plug-and-play” replicated strip trials look at 2 or 3 nitrogen rates in corn following cover crops, helping generate practical insights that can be applied on-farm.

During the first hour, participants will hear from Jackie Clark (EFAO), Lorraine Vandermyden (OSN), and farmer participants about the trial setup, key findings from 2025, and what these results may mean for farms across Ontario.

The final 30 minutes will focus on program recruitment for 2026. Anyone interested in potentially joining the trial is welcome to stay and learn more about the opportunity.

What you’ll learn

How the Adaptive Nitrogen Trials are set up

Why this trial matters for on-farm profitability and decision-making

Key results and observations from the 2025 season

How the trial may apply across different farm contexts in Ontario

What participation in the 2026 program could look like

Speakers

Jackie Clark, EFAO

Lorraine Vandermyden, OSN

Madeline Rodrigue, FaRM Agronomy Program Manager, Eastern Canada

Farmer participants

Agenda

1:00 PMIntroduction to presentersOverview of the Adaptive Nitrogen Trials: why the trial exists, how it works, and how it is set up

1:15 PMPresentation of 2025 resultsDiscussion and audience questions

2:00 PMOptional: Information about the 2026 Adaptive Nitrogen Trials and opportunities to join the program

Peel Farm Tour
2026-06-17 10:00 - 14:00 | Albion Hills Field Centre, 16559 Humber Station Road, Caledon, Ontario, L7E 3A5, Canada
The annual Peel Farm Tour showcases on-farm best-management-practice projects completed through the Peel Rural Water Quality Program (PRWQP) and ALUS Peel. The day opens with presentations on soil health research in the Peel Region, the water-quality benefits of farmer stewardship practices, and the Farmland Health Check-Up program, followed by a lunch featuring local food from Grown in Peel farms. Attendees then board a bus for guided walking tours of two local farms that have completed projects with support from the PRWQP and/or ALUS Peel. Hosted by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority in partnership with Credit Valley Conservation and the Region of Peel. OSN members in the Peel area are warmly invited to attend — registration is via Eventbrite.

Managing Nitrogen with Gerard Grubb
2026-06-18 09:30 - 12:00 | 585 Bruce County Rd 3, Walkerton, ON, 585 Bruce County Road 3, Walkerton, Canada
Managing Nitrogen with Gerard Grubb

June 18, 2026 · 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM 585 Bruce County Rd 3, Walkerton, ON

Join us in visiting Gerard Grubb Farms to learn about the innovative ways Gerard is managing nitrogen near Walkerton.

On June 18, he’s opening his farm to walk through what he’s learning about nitrogen management — including results from his 2025 strip trials and what he has planned for 2026.

What’s on the agenda:

Adaptive Nitrogen Trials: OSN, EFAO, and FCS have partnered with farmers to run replicated strip trials on nitrogen rates in corn following a cover crop. Gerard shares what his 2025 trial showed about nitrogen rate and how he’s taking it further in 2026.

Upside Robotics: Upside is testing autonomous robots designed to improve the management of nitrogen in corn. Come see them running and hear about the challenges and opportunities of autonomous robots in cash crop systems.

Meet at Gerard’s shop — we’ll carpool to the field together.

Free to attend. Open to all.

Organized by Ontario Soil Network in partnership with EFAO, FCS, and Upside Robotics.

Green Lightning Discussion
2026-07-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Keith Burns Farm, 7026 W Garafraxa East Garafraxa Town Line Rd, Centre Wellington, Ontario, Canada
A two-hour open conversation where every perspective gets a seat at the table — hosted by Keith Burns in partnership with the Ontario Soil Network.

Free to attend. Open to all.

WHAT THIS IS ABOUT

Green Lightning is a new technology that makes nitrogen fertilizer from air, electricity and water. It’s started showing up on a few Ontario farms — and like any new idea, it raises real questions. Does it hold up? What does it actually cost? What does the science say?

Some of the most useful conversations in agriculture happen when people with different views are in the same room, listening to each other. This is one of those rooms.

The thinking behind it is simple: knowledge moves faster when it’s tested out loud. We’ll hear where the science points one way, where on-farm experience points another, and where there’s genuine room to disagree. No one is expected to walk away converted. Everyone is expected to listen, ask questions, and engage honestly. This is a space grounded in science and critical thinking — and in the belief that farmers are best served by open dialogue, not echo chambers.

WHO’S AT THE TABLE

Keith Burns & Gordon Alblas, farmers — real, hands-on experience using the technology on their own farms.

Dr. John Lauzon, University of Guelph — a researcher who brings the research and the evidence.

You — after the opening perspectives, the floor opens to everyone in the room.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The format is conversation, not lecture. A few short opening positions are followed by open discussion, with time for questions, pushback, and real exchange. The boundaries are simple: hear everyone out, disagree respectfully, and leave with something to think about.

THE DETAILS

Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: 7026 W Garafraxa–East Garafraxa Town Line Rd, Centre Wellington, ON

Cost: Free to attend, open to all

Space is limited. Register below to hold your spot.

Presented by Keith Burns in partnership with the Ontario Soil Network.

Corn & Wheat Field Day
2026-07-09 09:00 - 17:00 | VanMeer Family Farms, 684 1st Concession Rd, Norfolk, Ontario, N0J 1E0, Canada
In-field demonstrations, research, expert panels, and conversation about corn and wheat agronomy in Southern Ontario.

Free to attend. Lunch is included.

Join us at VanMeer Family Farms in Tillsonburg on Thursday, July 9, 2026 — hosted by Greg Vermeersch

What’s on the Agenda

Upside Robotics — live nitrogen demo in the field: See how autonomous robots can be used to improve nitrogen management in corn.

4R Nutrient Management Panel and Q&A session — featuring Dr. Caleb Neimeyer, Dr. Kari Dunfield and Chuck Baresich, moderated by Colin Elgie(Soil & Fertility Specialist, OMAFA): Discuss with the experts on how can we leverage the 4R’s to boost productivity and sustainability.

YEN Wheat farmer panel moderated by Alex Zelem from C&M Seeds): Ontario wheat farmers share best practices and profitability insights from the Yield Enhancement Network Program.

Lunch, networking, and time with supply chain partners Connect with researchers, fellow producers, and supply chain partners throughout the day.

The Details

Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Location: VanMeer Family Farms, Tillsonburg, Ontario Cost: Free — Lunch included

Space is limited. Register below to hold your spot.

Presented in partnership with Ontario Soil Network, PepsiCo, Griffith Foods, Parrish & Heimbecker (P&H), and Ingredion.

Large Flock Operators Summer Tour
2026-08-07 09:00 - 19:00 | Foot Flats Farm — Amherst Island, 570 Front Rd, Stella, Ontario, K0H 2S0, Canada
A full day on Amherst Island connecting producers with industry experts — a working sheep farm tour, presentations on farm management and financial literacy, and a feature talk on soil health and farmer wealth.

$50 per ticket. Lunch is available on-site from local food trucks at your own expense.

Hosted by the Ontario Large Flock Operators with support from the Ontario Soil Network at Footflats Farm, Amherst Island — Friday, August 7, 2026.

Event Details

Date: Friday, August 7, 2026Time: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PMLocation: Footflats Farm, 570 Front Rd, Stella, ON K0H 2S0 (Amherst Island)Cost: $50 per ticket (lunch not included)

About the Day

An opportunity to connect with producers and industry experts to share knowledge and drive operational success. Footflats Farm operators Gayla Bonham-Carter and Scott Bade manage a flock of New Zealand Coopworth ewes using rotational grazing, electric fencing, and a Prattley mobile handling system. Come for the field tour, stay for the presentations, and connect with other producers and specialists in the field.

Featured Speaker — Peter Byck (sponsored by the Ontario Soil Network)

Peter Byck is helping lead a $10-million research project comparing Adaptive Multi-Paddock (AMP) grazing with conventional grazing — working with 20 scientists and 10 farm families on soil health, soil carbon, greenhouse-gas cycling, biodiversity, and water cycling. He is the director of the docuseries Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there) and the films carbon nation and carbon cowboys, and is a professor of practice at Arizona State University. His talk — Roots So Deep: Stories from Farmers and Scientists about Soil Health & Farmer Wealth — closes the day, followed by Q&A.

Agenda

9:00 AM — Registration10:00 AM — Opening remarks10:30 AM — TBD11:15 AM — MNP: Financial literacy presentation12:00 PM — Lunch (local food trucks, at your own expense)1:30 PM — WSPS: Safety presentation 2:15 PM — Producer Panel – Stewarding Sheep & Soil 3:15 PM — Peter Byck: Roots So Deep — Soil Health & Farmer Wealth, plus Q&A4:15 PM — Open networking

Presented in partnership with the Ontario Large Flock Operators, the Ontario Soil Network, MNP, and WSPS.

This event is offered in partnership with the Farmers for Climate Solutions’ Farm Resilience Mentorship Program (FaRM) and is an OSCIA Knowledge Sharing Event (KSE) for farmers with On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) projects in the Rotational Grazing Category.

Area X.O Farm Tour & Innovation Workshop
2026-08-13 09:00 - 15:00 | Ottawa Smart Farm, 1740 Woodroffe Ave Building 400, Nepean, Ontario, K2G 3R8, Canada
See new farm tech in the field — and help shape it.

Spend a day at Area X.O seeing the latest ag tech in the field, walking the trials, and telling the people building it what would actually work on your farm. August 13, near Ottawa. Lunch included. Free to attend. Space is limited.

New tools are showing up on farms faster than ever — but do they hold up where it counts, in the field? On Thursday, August 13, join other farmers at Area X.O near Ottawa for a day of seeing technology in action, walking the trials, and — just as importantly — telling the people building it what you think.

This isn’t a sit-and-watch demo. We want your eyes, your questions, and your honest take on what would make these tools genuinely useful on your operation.

What you’ll get into

Connect with researchers, farmers, and industry folks over lunch.

See technologies like the Picketa Lens, autonomous tractors, and drones working in the field.

Walk agronomic trials and talk through what they mean for your operation — with researchers and other farmers.

Share your ideas on how these technologies could work better in the real world.

Bring your questions, your practical experience, and your honest feedback. This day is about getting technology out of the lab and into real conversations with the people who would actually use it.

Farm Tour: Compost and Soil Biology
2026-09-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Chuck Desmarais Farm — Stoney Point, Stoney Point, Ontario, Canada
A farm tour with Chuck Desmarais focused on dialing in compost nutrients and using microscopes to read soil biology.
