PLEASE NOTE THAT PRE-REGISTRATION CLOSES ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31ST. AT-THE-DOOR TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE, BUT LIKELY AT AN INCREASED RATE.
Looking for a place to stay while attending the conference? ACORN has set aside a number of rooms at The Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel. The discounted rate available to ACORN Conference attendees is $119/night. You can book your room easily online here or call 1-800-943-6760 to book over the phone. Don’t forget to mention that you’re booking under the ACORN room rate!
*ACORN also has many volunteer opportunities and bursaries available to assist with the costs of attending the event! Find our more details on our website, but don't delay, these opportunities are limited!
ACORN's Organic Livestock & Rare Breeds Stream of Workshops:
Introduction to Rare Breeds & Heritage Livestock with Elwood Quinn, Quinn Farm (QC). Long-time supporter and farmer of rare and heritage breeds, Elwood Quinn, will give his perspective on the threats, opportunities and rewards of raising heritage and rare breeds on your mixed farming operation, with creative ideas about how to incorporate livestock on your farm!
Poultry - Colourful Chickens, Odd Ducks and Flying Turkeys with author Harry Stoddart, Stoddart Family Farm (ON)
Looking to add some variety to your poultry flock? Harry Stoddart will give an overview of the various breeds of chickens, ducks and turkeys that they have worked with - the unique, the colourful, and the ugly. The focus of the workshop will be on characteristics that lend themselves to creating a profitable and enjoyable farm enterprise.
Pigs - What Works For Me with Elwood Quinn, Quinn Farm (QC) & Pam Heath, Rare Breeds Canada (MB)
Elwood Quinn and Pam Heath will partner to present a thorough discussion about the range of various heritage pig breeds, emphasizing their uniqueness and fit to our Atlantic Canadian climate, while also focusing-in on husbandry practises.
Cattle Breeds for the Grass-Fed Farm with Elwood Quinn, Quinn Farm (QC) & author Harry Stoddart, Stoddart Family Farm (ON).
Breed type is very important when raising grass-fed cattle. In this workshop Elwood Quinn, Harry Stoddart and Stacy Corkum will share some of their experience and expertise in how to successfully grow and maintain a healthy herd of cattle on healthy pasture!
Rare breeds: Moving From a Hobby to a Business with author Harry Stoddart, Stoddart Family Farm (ON)
So you’re interested in raising rare breeds? How are you going to create a sustainable business? Harry Stoddart will discuss their experiences with a number of different direct to consumer sales models including farmers’ markets, on farm store, restaurant sales, online sales and their pioneering efforts with a meat CSA.
Organic Sheep: From Lambing to Shearing with Lorna McMaster, Pembroke Farm (PEI) & author Harry Stoddart, Stoddart Family Farm (ON)
Sheep! What amazing creatures! Whether you are interested in raising sheep for milk, wool, or meat, Lorna McMaster of Pembroke Farm will go over some of what's involved in raising sheep organically. Value-added production and what's involved in raising and maintaining a healthy herd will be discussed. Harry Stoddart will also dive into to details about his meat CSA, where he sells lamb and wool to his customers!
The Role of Homeopathy and Farm Animals with Julie Anne Lee, DCH, RCSHom (NS)
A cost effective, gentle yet powerful modality of medicine.
According to World health Organization, Homeopathy is the fastest-growing and second-most widely-used system of medicine in the world. Homeopathic philosophy is based on “likes cures likes” and works by stimulating a body’s own natural defence mechanism to not only rapidly relieve the symptoms of acute pathology but to also promote overall health and susceptibility to disease. This introductory lecture will cover topics such as the philosophy, concepts, principles and examples of disease such as pink eye, mastitis, scours etc..
Growing & Grinding Rations for Livestock with author Jack Lazor, Butterworks Farm (VT)
Jack Lazor will take participants through the process of growing, harvesting, storing and preparing feed rations for livestock, including sample rations for dairy cows, pigs, and chickens.
The conference also includes a full stream of workshops on Grains & Field Crops, featuring author Jack Lazor, (see list of workshops and speakers below) as well as Farm Wellness/Profitability, Mixed Fruit and Soil streams of multiple workshops.
