Harness the Potential of Cover Crops

Discover how cover crops can help you on your farm

Through this course, you will be able to identify how cover crops can fix some of the soil problems on your farm, and how these plants can improve your bottom line. By using cover crops, you can cut back on your use of fertilizers, soil amendments and sprays, and add biodiversity to your farm.

• A cover crop plan adapted to your region, microclimate, soil type, equipment, crop rotation and other characteristics. You will work out how and when to plant and terminate cover crops and even have back-up plans in case something unexpected happens.
• Tools to help adapt and expand your cover crop plan. You will have the resources to change your cover crop plan if your farm changes and as you get more comfortable using cover crops.
• A network of contacts. During the course, you will meet Mentors and other farmers in your region. You will develop a network of people you can reach out to with questions or follow on social media to find out about upcoming workshops and farm tours.

We are currently offering two in-person training dates for the cover crop stream this summer – July 11th (near Manitou) and July 15th (near Stonewall). If you are not available for either of these dates but you are interested in the program, send us an email asking to be added to the waitlist and we will let you know when our fall schedule is available.

Manitoba Organic Alliance is the implementing partner for the cover crop stream in Manitoba.

Curriculum developed by

HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS IS THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR ME?

This year’s course is focused on row crops and field crops and will be most relevant to farmers growing these at a large and medium scale. Future years will see curriculum broadened to focus on market gardeners and cover crops in perennial production systems.

• I would like to adopt beneficial management practices (BMPs) on my farm, and I am looking to grow my knowledge or get more implementation information.
• I have adopted one or more climate-friendly agricultural practices on my farm with success and would like to adopt another.
• I have adopted a BMP at a small-scale and I am looking to scale-up.
• I have unsuccessfully attempted to adopt a BMP on my farm and I am looking for assistance to make it work.
• I have not yet adopted BMPs on my farm but I am interested in learning more.

Our commitment to equity for FaRM

We believe that our sector, and our work as a coalition, will be stronger with decreased barriers to entry and better opportunities to succeed for equity-deserving farmers. We encourage people who belong to equity-deserving groups to join the Farm Mentorship Program, and have reserved 30% of registrations for equity-deserving farmers.

How much time will I need to commit?

Here is an approximate breakdown of your time commitment for one year:

• 5 hours of class time, where you’ll have the option to join workshops and/or community clubs.
• 2-4 hours of independent learning (i.e. reading material, watching videos, etc. on your own time).
• Optional follow-up support with Farmer Mentors.
• Unlimited access to online learning platform, including community clubs for the year.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THE PROGRAM?

• A comprehensive and supported Mentorship Program.
• Access to an online course system so you can learn at your own pace.
• Access to Communities of Inquiry, where you can join your peers in meeting spaces that foster learning, knowledge sharing and support.
• Access to Farmer Mentors to guide your learning and provide helpful input.
• A management plan to support your on-farm implementation.
• Useful resources and fact sheets.

Manitoba Organic Alliance is the implementing partner for this program in Manitoba. If you live in a different province and want to take part in this program, visit FCS’s website and scroll to the bottom to see the list of implementing partners in different regions across Canada.