The Central Experimental Farm is a well-loved jewel in the heart of the city, boasting a rich and fascinating history, as well as a key role in Canada’s agricultural science. In a new five-session Speaker Series, the Friends of the Central Experimental Farm are sharing their horticultural and historic knowledge with the public, aiming to provide locals with a deeper understanding of the farm’s history and the fundamentals of horticulture that can be applied at home. Teaming up with scientists from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the free speaker series will cover different aspects of the farm’s relevance to the city, from invasive insects to famous women horticulturalists in history. The series has something for everyone.
The Friends of the Central Experimental Farm is a volunteer organization dedicated to caring for the Arboretum, the Ornamental Gardens and other public areas of The Farm. Established in 1988 with the support of Agriculture Canada, the Friends dedicate over 10,000 volunteer hours a year to the beautification and support of the farm. While the green-thumbed volunteers maintain the incredible gardens, the subject expert volunteers give their time leading walking tours, giving lectures, and publishing books about the farm.
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Over coffee, we recently caught up with the Friends’ Communications Director, Liz Lumsden, who is part of the very active volunteer Board of Directors, looking to create new ways to bring people to the Farm.
I think the Farm’s just such an underrated hidden gem in Ottawa. Supporting green space, supporting agriculture research, supporting gardens and trees is so important right now with climate change, and urban spread.
This summer, the Friends have been offering regular Tree Tours, exploring specific species of trees in the Dominion Arboretum, like their August 5 Nut Trees Tour, which included species of northern nut trees, such as hickory, pecan, walnut, and heartnut. Did you know we grew pecans in Eastern Ontario? I did not.
The most recent speaker series launched in July with a lecture in the Pollinator Garden by two Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) scientists on Beneficial Insects and Invasive Species. They explained the importance of native bees and the effects of invasive insects on our food production. The interactive event included the collection of insects in the garden using standard field-collecting techniques led by the scientists.
The next lecture on August 20 is all about compost and will be a hot topic for our home gardeners. Learn more about the art and science of composting and how compost can be used to improve long-term soil health and plant productivity from two AAFC scientists at the farm’s composting centre. The lectures are designed to be family-friendly and science-focused, so you can expect the information to be accessible to all.
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This access to working scientists creates an opportunity for Ottawa’s citizens to get relevant and current information about the farm and the natural environment from the experts, which Lumsden stressed is an important component of the series.
We work really closely with Agriculture Canada, some of their staff help oversee the maintenance of the trees and the gardens, done by our volunteers so we thought of the Speaker Series as a way to further that collaboration, and help bring what Agriculture Canada does to the public as well.
The schedule for the speaker series is still evolving, so their website and social media are the best places to keep up. All events are free to attend, but you will need to register to reserve your space.
Like most hard-working volunteer organizations that offer free programming, the Friends of the Farm offer annual memberships to interested community members, which helps support their work. For an annual individual membership of $30, you receive a 10% discount at some local nurseries, one free admission per visit to the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, monthly Farm Notes and a quarterly newsletter that is packed with both gardening tips and in-depth information about the Farm itself.
Whether your interest is in maintaining your home garden, learning more about national-level agricultural research, or the history of the Farm, the Friends of the Central Experimental Farm are here to help you make the most of the greenest National Historic Site in Ottawa.
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The 2025 Speakers Series launched on July 23, with future lectures on August 20 and November 19. Check the Friends of the Central Experimental Farm website for more information.
