For anyone with an interest in ecological or organic farming, beekeeping, community gardening, or even just local food production, the Young Agrarians Mixer on Dec. 14 is the perfect place to find like-minded people.
Young Agrarians is a B.C.-based organization that works on connecting local producers with each other, to foster a community in the farming industry — be it small, organic producers or larger livestock farmers, YA wants to see the conversation bloom.
This is why local producer Allison Taylor, of Green Sister Gardens, is so excited to see YA host a mixer for the agriculture community here in Moose Jaw — the first time that YA has reached into Saskatchewan for a large-scale event.
“The farmers here, especially small farmers, are really, really spread out throughout the province, so it's kind of hard to build that community and this organization really helps that,” said Taylor.
The mixer will include plenty of opportunities to meet and greet with other farmers, to ask questions about different agricultural fields and hear the answers straight from producers themselves.
Speakers Ian and Christina King will be present to share their experience as the owners and operators of Northwood Farm near Hafford, SK, specifically how they got started growing vegetables.
There will also be a round-table opportunity, to discuss any topics or questions brought to the table by curious agrarians, as well as a chance to join the slideshow presentation — where each attendee is welcome to bring up to 10 slides to present their journey to success.
The event will also host a potluck supper open to everyone in attendance, as well as a mini-market for anyone who’d like to bring farm products to sell or trade.
“We have both farmers coming from vegetable growing backgrounds to working with cattle and management of cattle-grazing, people who work with grain and farming,” said Taylor. “It's really a great way to meet people who are doing a lot of different things within the province.”
Young Agrarians has a growing presence in western Canada, reaching through Alberta and Manitoba to host events like this one.
The mixer in Moose Jaw will be another tentative step into expanding to Saskatchewan, and hopefully bringing more Young Agrarian events to the province — more networking opportunities, farm tours, workshops and even apprenticeships.
Taylor encourages anyone interested in regenerative farming or the local agriculture scene to come out to the event. The mixer is entirely free and open to all ages, and organizers have made it easy to register.
The Young Agrarians Mixer will take place at The Wandering Market at 461 Athabasca St. E, beginning at 1 p.m. The potluck supper will start at 6 p.m.
Registration can be done either online through this form, or by contacting organizer Dana Penrice at 1 (780) 914-628 or at alberta@youngagrarians.org. More information about the event is available on the Facebook event page.
