Master Market Gardening in Six Weeks

April 20 - May 25. Bowmanville, Newcastle & Port Hope, Ontario.

🌱 Join us for six weekends in April/May and step into the world of market gardening mastery with a course that's enriching and insightful. Get on-farm training with online resources that give you the knowledge, techniques, and skills to manage a thriving market garden farm. 🌱

  • Aspiring Growers

    Looking for valuable experience? Get the practical skills and know-how to jump-start your journey or scale up your project. Stack your market garden skills and test-drive the tools, equipment and operations.

  • Property Owners

    Thinking of transforming your land into a productive landscape? Turn that vision into reality and learn from experience.

  • Experienced Gardeners

    Ready to scale up? Take your gardening prowess to new heights with advanced tools, techniques and strategies.

Course Content

In addition to the 6 weekend, 72 hours of in-person training, you gain access to our online community which includes a digital toolbox and support materials to build out your resource base.

  1. Holistic Context Development

  2. Site Analysis

  3. Farm Planning and Design

  4. Crop Production + Planning

  5. Soil Science and Field Preparation

  6. Tools and Equipment

Course Highlights

  • $999.00
  • 72 hours in Person Training
  • Digital Resource Base
  • Community Support

What to Expect From Four Farms Market Garden Training

  • Comprehensive Curriculum

    The curriculum covers everything from farm planning and design to tools, equipment and production systems to sales and marketing strategies. You'll gain a holistic understanding of the market gardening business and farm operations.

  • Hands on Training

    Stack your skill set and knowledge base with 72 hours of in-person training. You'll spend ample time in the field, getting your hands dirty with all the tools and equipment used in market gardening. Learn essential techniques firsthand, from bed preparation to crop cultivation, you'll develop practical skills and valuable experiences to add to your tool box.

  • Expert Guidance

    Learn from four experience growers. Our instructors bring years of experience and expertise to the table, offering valuable training, insights, tools and techniques to help you succeed as a market garden farmer. You'll get the the best of four farms. We'll share our stories of the challenges, successes and failures while guiding you down the path to success.

  • Digital Resources

    In addition to in-person training, you'll have access to a wealth of digital resources and tools to support your learning journey. From video tutorials to downloadable guides, spreadsheets and templates you will get access to useful resources to document your training and plan your journey.

  • Community Support

    Join a vibrant community of like-minded individuals passionate about small scale regenerative agriculture. Connect with fellow participants, share experiences, and build lasting relationships within the Four Farms network.

Dig Deeper

Exclusive Discount for Four Farms Students from The Market Garden Institute

Enroll in our Four Farms Market Garden Training and receive 40% off from our friends at the The Market Garden Institute and their world class Market Gardener Masterclass. Deep knowledge from pioneer Market Gardener and best selling author JM Fortier, on every crop, his production methods, tools and techniques.
Learn More
Premier Market Garden Masterclass

Get The Tools and Workwear You Need

10% discount for Four Farms Market Garden students on all tools and workwear from Growers & Co.

Growers & Co. is empowering all growers, whether home gardener, farmer, or homesteader with the tools, workwear, and inspiration they need to better enjoy their important work.
Shop Now

Meet Your Farmers

"The ultimate goal of farming is not just the growing of crops but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." - Masunobu Fukuoka

Ryan Cullen

City of Greens Farm

Ryan is a grower, educator, and entrepreneur with a diverse background spanning Permaculture, Forest Gardening, Bio-Intensive Market Gardening, Urban Agriculture, Regenerative Farming, and Controlled Environment Agriculture. His journey began in Thailand, where he taught English and delved into Permaculture and Forest Gardening techniques. Following a diploma in Horticulture Food and Farming at Durham College, Ryan refined his skills at La Ferme Des Quatre Temps training farm in Quebec, under the mentorship of JM Fortier, The Market Gardener. With four years spent managing the urban farm at the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food at Durham College and teaching in the Horticulture Food and Farming program, Ryan played a key role in conceptualizing The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture. Currently, he spearheads the development of a 10-acre regenerative homestead and commercial market garden - City of Greens - in Bowmanville, Ontario, while collaborating on a local food and farming hub with community partners. Ryan's expertise in higher learning, holistic farm planning and design, market gardening, regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and urban agriculture provides him with a unique perspective on the horticulture, food, and farming industry. Passionate about regenerating landscapes, fostering viable agro-economies, resilient communities, and a vibrant local food culture, he envisions multiplying small-scale regenerative farms and empowering a new generation of agro-ecological entrepreneurs. As the founder of the Horticulture Food and Farming Company and the Horticulture Food and Farming Institute, Ryan is committed to pioneering solutions that transform paradigms and nurture flourishing local horticulture, food, and farming economies and culture.
City of Greens

Tyler and Erin

Foragers Farm

Tyler, Erin, and their sapling Cypress comprise a family deeply rooted in their love for forests, market gardening, and self-sufficiency. On their 50-acre pristine land just 10 minutes north of Port Hope and Cobourg, they cultivate over 50 annual vegetables, herbs, flowers, pasture-raised eggs, along with perennials and hay. Their journey began with volunteering on farms across Canada, South America, Asia, and the United States, leading them to establish a volunteer group called We Grow Food, fostering backyard gardens and community support. After years of internships and experimentation on rented land, they transitioned to business ownership, creatively navigating land acquisition challenges through farmlink.net. Initially renting cooperatively at Headwaters Community Farm and Education Centre, they now own the 50 acres outright. Erin's decade of wildcrafting and farm-to-kitchen cooking experience complements Tyler's background as a tradesman, where he utilizes his welding and building skills to design farm infrastructure. As head farmer, Tyler oversees planting schedules and farm management, while Erin manages CSA, farmers markets, and customer relations, drawing on her extensive experience in sustainably-minded restaurants. Together, they embody a commitment to sustainable farming, community engagement, and lifelong learning.
Foragers Farm

Anastasia and John

Acre Farm

J.P. and Anastasia Luciuk are the proud owner-operators of Acre Farm Market Gardens, a 1.3-acre urban agriculture property in Bowmanville, Ontario. What began as a family garden has blossomed into a thriving market garden and urban homestead. Acre Farm offers a 14-week CSA from June to October and hosts a weekly on-farm market until November. Driven by a commitment to holistic living and self-sufficiency, J.P. and Anastasia cultivate and preserve a significant portion of their family's food each year. Anastasia manages day-to-day operations while also caring for their three children. With a culinary background from George Brown and 15 years in the hospitality industry, she transitioned to horticulture with a diploma from Durham College. Her expertise in small-scale food production, preparation, and preservation has inspired a range of value-added products, all featuring ingredients grown on the farm. J.P., owner of a local landscaping company, brings his construction and project management skills to the farm's infrastructure. A graduate of Brock University, he has played a crucial role in designing and implementing farm improvements, including transforming a small house on Acre Farm into an educational community kitchen and farm store. Together, Anastasia and J.P. are dedicated to enriching their community through education and empowerment. They aspire to create a space where individuals can access knowledge and resources, demonstrating that self-reliance is attainable for everyone.
Acre Farm

Michael Longarini

Second Season Farm

Michael Longarini spearheads Second Season Farm, a small-scale regenerative market garden nestled in Newcastle, Ontario. With his young family by his side, Michael is dedicated to fostering a vibrant local business rooted in community collaboration. At Second Season Farm, the focus is on perennial-based agriculture, blending scale-appropriate technology with annual market garden production systems to optimize efficiency. Throughout the summer and fall, Second Season Farm yields a diverse array of annual vegetables, including multiple varieties of garlic, specialty onions, and premium lettuces, complemented by select perennial crops. Michael's strategic investments in infrastructure, tools, and equipment, such as a BCS tractor, a three-season greenhouse nursery, paper pot transplanter, and jang seeders, underscore his commitment to efficient operations while balancing the demands of family life. With a steadfast dedication to organic and regenerative practices, Second Season Farm integrates perennial agriculture, utilizing woodlot and orchard crops to enhance annual market garden production and prioritize ecological health. Michael's leadership extends beyond the farm, as he spearheads initiatives like a local REKO sales and marketing network and actively participates in local farmers markets, championing the local food and farming community. For Michael and the team at Second Season Farm, their mission transcends mere vegetable cultivation—it's about fostering community and family connections while nurturing a resilient local food and farming culture for all.
Second Season Farm

Are You Ready?

We're excited to embark on this unique journey with you, offering hands-on experience, access to our tools and techniques, and connection with local growers who do this everyday. Our mission is to empower and multiply more small-scale regenerative market garden farms and growers. If you're ready to invest in yourself, we're here to guide you toward success. Join the revolution!

  • Secure your spot in the course by enrolling now.

  • Receive a welcome message and access to our online community.

  • Be prepared by staying in touch with us leading up to the course.

  • We'll release content closer to the course date and coordinate with you for on-site arrival

Enroll Now

Join our Community and Connect with Your Farmers.

FAQ

  • What is the time commitment for the course?

    The on-site training at our farms will take place two days a week. Every Saturday and Sunday for 6 weeks. From April 20-May 25. Each day will be six hours of training. 3 hour morning session and a 3 hours afternoon session, with a one hour lunch break.

  • Transportation and Location

    All four farms are withing a 30 min drive of each other and approximately 1 hour east of Toronto, Ontario - a short distance north of the 401. You must be able to find a way to get yourself to each farm each week. There is not public transport access easily to the farms and your own vehicle and transportation is essential. We can not pick you up or drive you home. You must find your own way.

  • Is there accommodation options?

    Not really. It's possible you could camp if you must but this must be arranged ahead of time with the host farm. No promises or guarantees. However, we're willing to accommodate people coming from long distances first as a priority.

  • Access to course content?

    Official course content will be available on our learning platform a week before the course. Each module corresponds with each week of the course. The content will cover the hands on training portion and prepare you for action, while also serving as a resource base and training tool. There are no formal assignments. We will provide you with resources, digital tools and templates for your to co-create your experience, goals and ambitions during the training. The materials will also act a resource base to solidify the hands on training you will receive on the farm. You will have lifetime access to the content which is also downloadable. You will also have lifetime access to our growing online community.

  • Do I have to work? Will I get my hands dirty?

    Yes and no. This is a hands on experience. We won't put you to work, but you will have every opportunity to participate in tasks and projects happening on the farms. You can participate as much or as little as you want. You can simply be an observer and learn by watching or get your hands dirty and learn by doing. This is meant to be a training course so participation will lead to better results. But we understand that everyone has limitations so find your niche and make a living.

  • Do I need to come every week?

    If you want to get full value for your investment than yes. If you can't make 1 or 2 days, we understand you have a life. But keep in mind we're committing valuable time to offer this course and with that it carries an opportunity cost for us as farmers and businesses. Please respect that and consider the fact that time is money and our time is valuable. We assume if you have invested in the course, you will hold yourself accountable for your actions.

  • Refunds and Guarantees

    We guarantee we will deliver an in depth , hands on training experience that will teach you everything we know and give you the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully gain employment, work on, or plan to start your own market garden farm. If at any point you are not satisfied with the course and the training we will issue you a refund for the remaining sessions you do not attend at 50% of the cost. However, we're confident you're going to have a great experience.

  • Still have questions?

    Email us at [email protected] - put "Four Farms" in the Subject line.

Join Four Farms Market Garden Training

Training starts on April 2Oth...

Enroll Now
  • 00 Days
  • 00 Hours
  • 00 Minutes
  • 00 Seconds

Join the Revolution!

Stay up to date on all course offerings and training.

Thank You