ABOUT FASPA FARM
Faspa Farm is located near Manitou, Manitoba – Treaty 1 Territory
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Karen Klassen’s family has been on the land where they farm since the 1930s. She farms with her Dad, George. Crops they grow include: wheat, barley, oats, rye, peas, fava beans, hemp, buckwheat and canola.
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Faspa farm is a great place to learn, especially about how to grow grains, pulses, and other crops in the best way possible for ecosystem health.
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They have transitioned 160 acres to certified organic production and have learned from organic techniques to reduce fertilizer use on the rest of their land by planting green manures/cover crops and ensuring there is something planted in the fall to cover the ground for the winter.
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The farm also focuses on increasing biodiversity by planting pollinator strips, eco-buffers and additional shelterbelts throughout the farm, they preserve the wetlands present on the farm and are working on a project to convert part of the creek to a permanent wetland.
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About the apprenticeship:
Faspa Farm is a grain farm, so they require help with all related activities! Depending on the experience of the apprentice, they could drive tractor/do field work. If they did not have this experience, they would be slowly trained to do so, to check equipment and help prepare it for field activities; do crop scouting/soil health evaluations; maintain the yard site by keeping the bin areas clean; watering new tree plantings; establishing new eco-buffer and tree strips, work in the garden. Learning activities would include being a part of the discussions on farm operation planning, including crop rotation decisions; management decisions; data collection/record keeping/book keeping and marketing.
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As part of the apprenticeship, you will meet with other apprentices across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta who are part of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship program. Field days, learning opportunities and potlucks will be planned with the Manitoba group at each hosts farm. You will also be invited to attend a regenerative or organic food conference during or following the apprenticeship.
The crew at Faspa also practice minimal (or thoughtful!) tillage and use a no-till drill and to make things even more exciting, they have partnered with their neighbour to integrate livestock on the green manure where they practice rotational grazing!
