Crooked Farmz offers a number of winter/spring preseason workshops on a variety of topics via Zoom. While these sessions stand alone as complete introductions to various farm and soil health topics, they also provide the business grounding and soil science foundation behind Crooked Farmz’ compost tea products. Further, they serve as ideal preparation for our 2026 Field Schools, where we’ll explore these topics hands-on through working sessions at Downsview Park Farm.
AI Usage for Small-Scale Farm Businesses
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
10:00-11:30am
$20
This 90-minute workshop explores some potential applications of AI tools for small farm operations, from agronomic planning to business management. Drawing from practical examples and hands-on farming experience, we’ll suggest how AI can expand capacity beyond what a sole proprietor or small-scale farmer could accomplish alone. The session covers real-world use cases including farm planning, crop management advice, marketing content creation, contract drafting, and creative problem-solving. We will also explore the environmental costs of AI usage for small farm businesses and discuss ways to minimize impacts.
Participants will learn how to strategically deploy AI to address resource constraints—especially time and outsourcing costs—that typically limit small-scale operations. Whether you’re seeking competitive advantages or simply trying to handle essential tasks yourself, this workshop offers practical strategies for integrating AI into your farming business without requiring technical expertise.
This workshop will be of particular interest to independent farmers, market gardeners, and small-scale agricultural entrepreneurs looking to maximize their operational capacity.
https://crookedfarmz.localline.ca/my-products/product/589719
Soil Health and Microbial Life
Sunday, March 22, 2026
10:00am-12:00pm
$25
This two-hour workshop transforms how you think about the living world beneath your plants. We’ll start with the fundamentals of soil composition and chemistry, then venture into the hidden universe thriving just below the surface: the microbiome, that vast network of microbial life that turns simple substrate into living soil.
The session covers essential soil science and the key microbial players working underground, decomposition processes, and practical composting techniques for every context—from small urban plots to sprawling market gardens. You’ll also learn probiotic strategies to support soil health that you can implement immediately. Participants will leave with practical knowledge to nurture the life beneath their plants and understand how to become a more mindful steward of the earth.
This workshop will be of particular interest to gardeners and growers of experience levels who are curious about soil science and want to build healthier, more productive growing spaces.
Crooked Farmz 