Rooted In Soil
About this Event
Good soil. Good food. Better health. Stronger communities.
Rooted in Soil is the opening chapter of The Power of Food — a new workshop series from Zawadi Farm that traces the story of nourishment from the ground up. This first evening starts where every good meal actually begins: in the soil.
Healthy soil drives nutrient cycling. Nutrient cycling drives crop rotation planning. And crop rotation planning — done well — is what turns a garden or a market plot into a reliable source of nutrient-dense food. Over one evening at the Barn, you'll walk the fields, hear from the people who study and steward that process, and sit down to a farm-to-table dinner that puts it all on the plate.
What to Expect
- A guided walk through Zawadi Farm's growing beds
- An accessible opening session on soil, compost, and crop rotation for backyard and small-garden growers
- Expert talks on the science of soil health and the soil-to-food-to-health connection
- A dinner catered by Meza Group
- A deep-dive session on crop planning and rotation for market-scale growers
Who It's For
Home gardeners curious about what's actually happening in their soil, and market gardeners ready to go deeper on planning a season around it. Come for either — stay for the whole story.
The Evening
Time
Session
4:00 – 4:30 PM
Arrival, Registration & Farm Tour
4:30 – 4:40 PM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
4:40 – 5:20 PM
Soil Basics for Backyard & Small Gardens
5:20 – 5:50 PM
The Science of Good Soil — Alexandre Parrott-Mautner (Ryzome Environmental)
5:50 – 6:20 PM
From Soil to Food to Health — Dr. Frank Nhan (Curate Health)
6:20 – 7:00 PM
Dinner, catered by Meza Group
7:00 – 8:30 PM
Crop Planning & Rotation for Market Gardeners — Arlene Throness (TMU Urban Farm)
8:30 – 8:50 PM
Q&A / Open Discussion
8:50 – 9:00 PM
Closing Remarks & Networking
Your Speakers
- Arlene Throness — Manager, Urban Farm at Toronto Metropolitan University. Leading the evening's headline session on crop planning and rotation for market gardeners.
- Alexandre Parrott-Mautner — Founder, Ryzome Environmental. Speaking on the science of healthy, living soil.
- Dr. Frank Nhan — Curate Health. Speaking on how soil quality carries through to food quality and human health.
Tickets
This event runs on a sliding scale — pay what fits, knowing that Supporter tickets help make Community tickets possible.
Tier Description
Community — $55
An accessible entry point for anyone who wants to be part of this evening. Priced near the true per-plate cost, not the full share of the event's overhead — because this workshop should be reachable, not exclusive.
Standard — $115
The rate most attendees choose. Covers your own seat, the full program, and dinner, plus a fair share of the evening's costs.
Supporter — $185
For those in a position to give a little more. Your ticket helps hold space for Community-rate seats, so cost isn't a barrier to anyone who wants to be here.
Where & When
Where: The Barn, Zawadi Farm — 160 Downsview Park Blvd, North York, ON M3K 0C8
When: Monday, September 28 · 4:00 – 9:00 PM
Good soil. Good food. Better health. Stronger communities. Let's grow together.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
CAD 62.15 to CAD 209.05
