Farm Start-Up Webinar for Aspiring Agrarians

Are you dreaming of starting a farm but are unsure of where to start? Join us for an inspiring and informative webinar designed for anyone wanting to discover valuable resources to support their farming journey.

This event will bring together seasoned experts and experienced farmers to share their insights, programs and success stories. While some of the resources shared will be specific to Red Deer County residents and new farmers in Alberta, much of the content will be relevant to anyone eager to learn about programs that can help you along your farming journey.

Speaker highlights:

• Alex Pulwicki (Young Agrarians): Discover how the Young Agrarians’ programs can help you succeed, with a focus on the Business Bootcamp course and the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program, two cornerstone programs designed to empower new farmers with essential skills and knowledge.
• Jennica Taylor (Farmer - Red Deer, Alberta): Hear firsthand from Jennica, a new farmer who has participated in the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program, Business Bootcamp and Business Mentorship Network about her farming journey, lessons learned and how these programs have shaped her path in agriculture.
• Ken Lewis (Red Deer County): Learn about Red Deer County’s conservation programs and how they can benefit new farmers in starting-up and adopting sustainable practices.
• Agricultural Financial Services Corporation: Get an overview of the financial tools and support available for new farmers in Alberta, including different kinds of loans for different stages of your farming career.

Whether you’re just exploring the idea of farming or actively planning your first steps, this webinar is your opportunity to gain insights, ask questions and connect with others to turn your farming dreams into reality.

Register today and take the first step towards your future in agriculture!

WHEN: January 20, 2025 | 7-8:30 PM MT

Location: Online – Zoom link will be emailed to registrants.

Not able to attend? A recording of the event will be emailed to all registrants.

SHARE: Planning on joining us? Invite your friends and share the Facebook event.

(More info about the speakers and event organizers coming soon.)

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• We welcome cancellations at any time - you can do so through Eventbrite, through the link in your registration confirmation email, or by contacting Lourdes at prairiesnetwork@youngagrarians.org. Please let us know if you aren't able to attend.
• Questions? Email Alex at alex@youngagrarians.org

Speaker Bios

JENNICA TAYLOR | Daisy and Dill

Jennica is the owner of Daisy & Dill Red Deer. She runs a small urban farm business within the city. Using multiple small plots she is turning grass into gardens and creating beauty, habitat and food.

Daisy & Dill was born out of a love of growing flowers and food. Seeing the high production and micro-habitat in my own front yard, I realized that we could be better utilizing all of the front yard spaces that sit with a monocrop requiring high maintenance and little return.

Daisy & Dill seeks to turn "Grass to Gardens" by using a unique approach. We will work directly with homeowners to convert their sunny yard space and grow many varieties of vegetables and flowers all lending themselves to create beauty and highly nutritious foods.

There are many benefits to increasing the diversity of plants grown in a small area. Not only does it increase the biodiversity in the soil, but it adds support for many species of pollinators, beneficial insects and birds.

The environmental benefits are also important, as adding organic matter to our soil increases water absorbency and retention. This can help reduce flooding and municipal water use. Changing grass to garden reduces the chemical load on our soil, insects and water systems as well, provided the garden is managed in an organic way.

There is still so much to learn and much to talk about, but I hope you are inspired to discover more about gardening and how to support our local environment and food production with Daisy & Dill.

MELANIE KILSBY | Red Deer County

Melanie Kilsby is the Agricultural Relations Specialist for Red Deer County.

This role helps Red Deer County bridge the gap for education and awareness in Ag. It builds relationships in the agricultural industry and various stakeholders and maintains interdepartmental relations with a focus for agriculture in Red Deer County. Through this role, Melanie has the opportunity to create and co-create events for Red Deer County to assist farmers and provide a way of learning about the programs and options available within our county.

Not only does she have a passion for farming and loves raising her own chickens, but she brings over 7 years of various municipality work to assist new and established farmers in the county. She thinks outside of the box, brings together unlikely connections, and is committed to building and strengthening community.

KRISTA PARENT | Red Deer County

Krista Parent is a dedicated and experienced professional serving as the Agricultural Services Admin Assistant at Red Deer County. With over 13 years of experience working with central Alberta municipalities, Krista brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. She has spent the last decade specializing in Agricultural Services, where she has honed her skills in administrative support, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

Krista is known for her exceptional organizational abilities, attention to detail, and commitment to supporting the agricultural community. Her extensive background in municipal services and agriculture makes her a valuable asset to Red Deer County, where she continues to contribute to the success and efficiency of the Agricultural Services department.

KEN LEWIS | Red Deer County

Ken Lewis is a seasoned professional with a deep commitment to conservation and sustainable land use. Growing up on a small farm in the west part of Mountain View County, Ken has always been connected to the land.

Fast forward "more than a year or two," and he's been working at Red Deer County as Conservation Coordinator, ALUS Coordinator for both Red Deer County and Lacombe County, and Environmental Farm Plan Technician for over 17 years, with a few fun side trips in life along the way.

Ken has had the opportunity to work with and learn from hundreds of farmers and ranchers in Red Deer County and beyond. Most, if not all, of those producers have said one of their primary goals was to make their farms and ranches even better for the next generation.

Ken is recognized for his expertise in conservation, his collaborative approach, and his unwavering dedication to environmental sustainability. His work with ALUS has been particularly impactful, helping to create resilient landscapes and support local farmers and landowners in adopting sustainable practices.

Ken will be talking about ALUS and other conservation initiatives currently available today, and how they could be used to help new farmers and ranchers get started in agriculture. With a little creativity and a go-for-it attitude, these programs can help a lot.

ALEX PULWICKI | Young Agrarians

Alex loves nothing more than bringing together people to celebrate local food and farms! As the Alberta & E-Learning Manager for Young Agrarians she gets to meet amazing new and aspiring farmers and help them to connect with the resources and support needed to start farming. She enjoys making online spaces a place to build connections with people near and far. Alex has worked and volunteered at a number of farms across Alberta and is passionate about local dairy and cheesemaking. She currently sits on the Edmonton Food Council. You can reach Alex at alex@youngagrarians.org.