Up to five new test-croppers will be admitted into the program for the approaching season. A test-cropper is someone who is interested in starting a farm business, and wishes to access land, shared infrastructure and workshops to assist them in testing their business ideas. Each test-cropper will be able to access the following during the program:

• A quarter-acre of land at the Just Food Farm. All plots will be prepared for planting by Just Food, and participants will be able to access their plot as soon as weather permits in the spring (to be determined by the Farm Manager, but most likely in mid to late May);
• A water source for your plot. Test-croppers will be responsible for building and maintaining irrigation within their plot, with bulk drip tape available for purchase on-site.
• Water on the farm comes from a municipal connection and plots are metered so you can monitor your water use;
• Access to communal infrastructure and equipment including barn storage, a wash station, cold storage, and walk-behind rototillers;
• Participation in a series of training workshops designed for new farmers – see Training Schedule below for details;
• Participation in several farm meetings throughout the season, where all test-croppers meet together with experienced farmers, program staff for updates, exchange of knowledge and results, and collaboration;
• Access to Just Food’s resource library;
• General liability coverage under Just Food’s insurance plan (disability, crop or other insurance is the responsibility of each testcropper);

Suitable farm projects at the Just Food Farm could include mixed vegetables, edible flowers, grains, herbs, or other specialty plant crops. Due to the nature of the program, including requirements for crop/plot rotation, test-croppers will not be able to farm on the same plot of land if they remain on site in future years. As such, and given that it is a 1-year program, there are no options for perennial production in the first year. The Just Food Farm site may be able to accommodate small poultry and other livestock projects in coming years.

While assistance is given throughout the program, test-croppers are responsible for planning and managing their own farm projects, including sourcing inputs (seeds, mulch, etc.), planting and tending crops, harvesting, distribution, marketing and sales. By participating in training workshops and farm meetings, test-croppers can seek support, learn from others and access additional resources for their projects.

If a test-cropper has or gains access to other suitable land during their participation in the program, they are encouraged to transition to their own land as early as possible. These participants can still access training and other supports through Just Food. Similarly, existing farm businesses are ineligible for the on-site program, but can access training and other supports.

The Just Food Farm Site

The Just Food Community Farm is located on a property in the National Capital Greenbelt, at 2391 Pépin Court. Formerly a farm and then National Capital Commission (NCC) nursery, Just Food is developing a long-term land use plan to manage agricultural and demonstration/education uses on the site. In addition to the Start-Up Farm Program, the Just Food Community Farm hosts other partnership programs with non-profit community groups:

• Karen Community Farm with KLEO (Karen Learning and Education Opportunities Support Group);
• Earth Path;
• The Bridge Engagement Centre;
• Women Warriors Healing Garden;
• Wabano Centre;
• Forêt Capitale Forest;
• Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard;
• Root in Nature;
• Land Care Collective;

The Just Food Farm is accessible by public transit (OC Transpo Bus #25 from Blair Station).

The Training Series Schedule will return in Fall 2025, keep your eyes on the Farmer Newsletter later this year.

A series of structured training courses are designed to support new farmers in their transition to a successful business. Participants are invited to start in fall before the growing season begins, to better plan their operations. Courses are presented by local farmers, visiting experts and Just Food staff, and reflect regional conditions and opportunities.

Test-croppers are expected to attend all training courses and monthly program meetings. If a test-cropper is not able to attend a course or meeting, they must discuss it with the program manager in advance. All courses will be held on evenings or weekends.

Many of these courses are also accessible to other new farmers at a fee. If you are not applying for the on-site program at this time but would like to receive updates on available courses, please sign up for the Just Food newsletter

Group Learning Sessions

In addition to the workshops, group learning sessions are held once a month for all test-croppers and program staff, from spring through fall. These sessions allow test-croppers to share their experience and results, identify common challenges and opportunities for collaboration, and raise questions for discussion or future learning. These sessions are facilitated by farm mentors, with agendas reflecting emerging needs and interests of the test-croppers over the season. Dates and times will be set at the beginning of the season, in consultation with the group.

Email communication, including a listserv, is used heavily throughout the program to share updates and coordinate meetings.

Program fees for Test Croppers cover everything described in the Program Details section above. Fees do not include farm inputs (seeds, particular soil amendments, greenhouse supplies etc), irrigation equipment used on your plot, personal tools, marketing and distribution costs, or office expenses to run your start-up farm. Test-croppers are expected to identify their own operational expenses and to manage and finance their farm budgets.

Micro-Loans

Small loans are available to test-croppers through a partnership between Just Food and the Ottawa Community Loan Fund, to help cover start-up costs at the beginning of your growing season. Loans must be repaid at the end of the growing season. Upon acceptance into the program, interested test-croppers can meet with an OCLF representative. If a loan is right for them, applications are submitted directly through OCLF. Ottawa residents only.