Issue 96 - Week of October 27, 2025

Hi Friend

It’s been a busy fall at Farming Forward! Last week, Jessica and Dini joined the Environmental Farm Plan Technicians Training Day, bringing back new ideas and tools to better support our members and programs. A quick reminder that our team has now transitioned to working from home — please give us a call before stopping by to make sure someone’s available to help. Leigh Anne is hard at work processing sample results from this season’s projects, and hopefully soon we’ll have more results to share as we wrap up another productive year.

🕒 Less Than 4 Days Left to Save

Early Bird Extended, Last Chance!

We know it’s a busy time on the farm with winter prep in full swing, so we’ve extended the Early Bird rate a little longer, but this is your final chance to grab tickets for just $75 (regular $100).

Gathering Ground is coming up fast — Saturday, November 15 at the Westward Community Centre near Whitecourt.

Take a well-earned day to learn, connect, and recharge before the snow sets in with a full lineup of:

Keynote speaker on Succession
Four hands-on breakout sessions on Risk Management, Seed Testing & Livestock Innovation.
A producer panel featuring Alberta’s groundbreakers
Buffet, lunch and supper
Live country music
Plenty of networking opportunities

Learn More & Register Here

Producer Panel: Groundbreakers – Cultivating New Paths in Agriculture

📖 Andrea Kristin – Grey Arrow Farm

Author of Fresh Grown and founder of Grey Arrow Farm, Andrea and her husband grow a wide variety of vegetables for farmers markets and CSA members outside Edmonton. Her book celebrates seasonal eating and offers practical, beautiful ways to enjoy the harvest year-round.

🍎 Kelli Burdek – Prairie Bears Cider Co.

From doctor to cider maker, Kelli and her partner Brett turned rescued fruit into a thriving orchard and craft cider company near Alberta Beach. Their orchard-to-glass approach celebrates creativity, community, and the prairie spirit.

These women are paving new paths in local food and farm entrepreneurship — and we can’t wait to hear their stories on the Gathering Ground stage.

Get your tickets here!

Spotlight: Prairie Pest Monitoring Network

At last week’s EFP Technicians Day, Jennifer Otani from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada shared the latest updates from the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network (PPMN) — a prairie-wide effort that tracks major insect pests like grasshoppers, bertha armyworm, pea leaf weevil, and wheat midge.

The presentation highlighted how regional monitoring data and field scouting help producers make more informed pest management decisions, reducing unnecessary pesticide use while protecting yield and soil health. The PPMN works closely with provincial partners in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to share maps, scouting tips, and threshold guidelines for key field crop pests

🔗 Find Pest Management Resources

Prairie Pest Monitoring Network: prairiepest.ca – weekly updates, risk maps, and field guides
Field Guides
Alberta Agriculture & Irrigation:
Alberta Insect Pest Monitoring Network - provincial insect surveillance and surveys
Crop Insect Resources - Fact Sheets
Call 310-FARM (3276) in Alberta for help connecting with pest and crop specialists

Environmental Farm Plan Workshops

Get your Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) ready for year-end and upcoming funding programs like AgriInvest, RALP, and new 2026 opportunities. EFPs are valid for 10 years, so if you completed yours long ago, it may be due for renewal.

Join us for a free, hands-on workshop with an EFP technician to create or update your plan. Your information stays confidential — between you and your technician only.

📍 Woodlands County (Whitecourt) – Thursday, November 27, 9:00 AM

Yellowhead County (Wildwood) – Wednesday, December 10, 1:00 PM

💻 Free to attend, registration required.

Can’t make it to a workshop but have questions about your EFP?

📞 Contact us at 780-785-2222 or info@farmingforward.ca for support.

Gathering Ground – A Producer Development Day

📅 Saturday, November 15 | 📍 Westward Community Centre

For just $75, you’ll enjoy:

🍽️ Buffet lunch & supper catered by Thymeless Occasions

☕ Coffee, snacks, and good company throughout the day

🎤 A full program with a keynote, 4 breakout workshops, a producer panel, and live country music to wrap it up.

Tickets go up to $100 after Friday, so grab yours now and help us plan catering numbers!

Winter Management of Beef Cattle

by Beef Cattle Research Council

Winter feeding season is just around the corner! The BCRC shares practical tips for managing cold stress, maintaining body condition, and keeping cattle healthy when the temperatures drop.

Learn More

Celebrate What’s Made in Alberta

Buying local makes a real difference. The Made in Alberta directory showcases Alberta-made foods and products.

Producers can also list their own goods to reach local buyers and support our province’s economy.

Rescheduled!

Talk. Ask. Listen. – Mental Health Workshop

November 17 | 10 AM - 3 PM

Mayerthorpe Legion, 5111 45 Ave, Mayerthorpe

Join The Do More Agriculture Foundation for a free 'Talk. Ask. Listen.' session, an interactive workshop designed to help those in agriculture recognize signs of stress, start conversations, and support mental well-being in their communities.

Learn how to listen, connect, and take action to foster a culture of care in agriculture.

Young Agrarians: Business Mentorship Network

Starting or growing a farm business can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. The Young Agrarians Business Mentorship Network provides new and next-generation farmers who have been in business 1 - 10 years with practical, personalized mentorship to help build strong, resilient farm businesses.

If you're farming and ready to level up your business skills, this program is for you!

Applications are open for the 2026 Business Mentorship Network cohort and the deadline has been extended to November 15, 2025.

What the Business Mentorship Network provides:

30 hours of one-on-one mentorship with an experienced farmer over one year
A farm business management webinar series with live Q&A sessions hosted by experienced farmers
Access to resources, templates, and sample documents to help you organize your farm business
Promotion on the Young Agrarians website and social media platforms
Access to a community of support of fellow cohort members and the BMN Program Coordinators

Apply Today!

Ag Drone School

Presented by CAFLA, County of Wetaskiwin & LandView

Drones

November 17 & 18, 2025 | Lakedell Agricultural Society, Westerose, AB

Take your farm management to new heights with the Ag Drone School — a two-day,

hands-on workshop designed for producers looking to integrate drone technology into

their operations. Over the course of two days, participants will explore practical

applications in mapping, range planning, and herd scouting, gaining the skills and

confidence to put drone data to work on their farms.

Each registration includes a comprehensive binder of learning materials, access to

a fleet of drones, hands-on training, and lunches with refreshments provided.

CAFLA members receive $100 off registration.

Join us for two days of learning, flying, and innovation with LandView Drones and

connect with others who are shaping the future of smart farming in Alberta.

Questions or ideas?

We’d love to hear from you!

We’re here to help with anything on your mind — big or small.

📞 Give us a call at +1 780-785-2222 (Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm)

📧 Or reply to this email

Not a Member yet?

Join Farming Forward

Join for just $31.50/year and get access to equipment rentals, sampling support, event discounts, and more.

Join Today!