The program is intended to help aspiring farmers gain skills and insight from experienced producers willing to share their knowledge and expertise.

Four host farms have been selected in central and northern Alberta. Core activities include caring for livestock, pasture management, farm direct marketing, and sustainable cereal and grain production.

“It is important that apprentices learn about the strong networks that exist in rural communities because this is really where the farming knowledge resides,” said program co-ordinator Melisa Zapisocky.

Apprenticeships typically last eight to 12 months and participants receive room and board along with a monthly stipend and a $750 honorarium for attending workshops, conferences, or participating in other learning opportunities.

The application deadline for the program, which is modelled after one created in B.C., is Jan. 31 and apprenticeships start in April or May.

For more info, go to youngagrarians.org and click on the U-Map Farm Resources icon. Organic Alberta launched the Young Agrarians program last year.

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On July 11, there will be a tour of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lethbridge Research Station and Leffer’s Organic Farm. Federal researchers will talk about weed biocontrol, integrated pest management, soil health, and nutrient management. The operators of Leffer’s Organic Farm will discuss their diverse crop rotations and use of green manures for both weed control and fertility.

On July 14, there will be a number of presentations on organic grain production at Newell’s Organic Farm near Radway. Charles Newell will share innovative ways to build soil fertility and manage weeds while University of Manitoba agronomy professor, Martin Entz will discuss nutrient management. There will also be presentations on green manure management, livestock integration, and equipment demonstrations.

Both events cost $25 and include lunch. For more information or to register, contact Tierra at info@organicalberta.org or 587-521-2400.

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Topics include pressure and release; instincts of humans and livestock; the predator/prey relationship; positioning and movement; and sorting, weaning, receiving, and loading livestock.

For more information, contact your local forage association or Organic Alberta at 587-521-2400 or info@organicalberta.org.

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“We are seeing very strong growth in the organic sector with 58 per cent of Canadians buying organic on a weekly basis,” said Becky Lipton. “Organic hemp is right up there as one of the top commodities in high demand, and commanding a premium of close to double.”

In 2013, there were 66,000 acres in hemp production in Canada, and that number jumped to 100,000 acres last year — with 40 per cent of production in Alberta. This year, the hemp food manufacturer Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods expects production to remain stable or decline slightly.

“Over the last few years, hemp producers have experienced exceptionally good production,” said Clarence Shwaluk, director of farm operations at Manitoba Harvest. “While we expect overall hemp production could soften just a little, we expect there will be increasing production of organic hemp because of the demand.”

Organic hemp will be one of the topics examined at Organic Alberta’s annual conference in Beaumont on Feb. 27-28.

The conference theme is Sowing Success: Farming for People, Planet, and Profit. Organic hemp seed processors, marketers and researchers will be at the conference to guide both conventional and organic farmers through specialized organic hemp marketing and production sessions.

Shwaluk will discuss the latest market demand for organic hemp, and how farmers can participate.

“Hemp demand is driven by the demand for healthy food and healthy lifestyles,” he said. “There’s a big opportunity for organic hemp as there simply isn’t enough supply to meet the demand.”

In another hemp-focused session, Jan Slaski, senior researcher and program leader at Alberta Innovates–Technology Futures, will explain what farmers need to know about growing organic hemp, including best practices and new research. To register, go to organicalberta.org or call 855-521-2400 toll free.

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