A cover crop training and peer-learning program will kick off with two farm tours this July.
It’s one of three free courses through the Farm Resilience Mentorship program (FaRM) hosted in Manitoba by the Manitoba Organic Alliance (MOA) and the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA).
The course is for both conventional and organic farmers.
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Farmers will have access to online cover crop materials including videos and farm case studies. They’ll also have access to a mentor/facilitator and can join “Communities of Inquiry” peer groups where they can troubleshoot and share experiences with other farmers, MOA’s website says.
‘Class time’ will be out in the field, said Karen Klassen, MOA’s executive director. “I don’t know anyone, including myself, who would want to be on Zoom in July.”
Klassen and Scott Beaton will facilitate the cover crop course. Klassen runs a conventional and organic farm near Manitou and Beaton runs an organic farm near Stonewall. Beaton is also a conservation specialist with Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation.
While there’s much evidence of the benefits of cover crops, they’re not that common in Manitoba, said Klassen. Perceived risk is one obstacle.
“Hopefully this will help to normalize it and just give people the tools,” she said.
As part of the FaRM program, MOA will host two farm tours, one on Klassen’s farm July 11 and one on Beaton’s farm July 15.
This fall, MOA will begin another FaRM program looking at advanced nitrogen management. It will be designed for conventional farmers only, Klassen said, and will focus on farmers who plant a wheat/canola rotation.
CFGA is facilitating an Advanced Grazing Systems course.
