NFU New Farm Project Update – August 13, 2010

NEW FARM PROJECT NEWS

1. Plowing, Scything, and ATV workshops at Plowing Match

2. Burt’s Greenhouse Tour and Sweet Potato Workshop

3. Farm Life in Pictures

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

4. Farmer’s Market at Queens University

5. Transition Kingston – “Our Slick Society” event

6. The Wolfe Island Farm Tour

NEW FARM PROJECT NEWS

1. Plowing, Scything, and ATV workshops at Frontenac County Plowing Match

Saturday August 28, 10 AM – 4 PM

This year the NFU and the New Farm Project are excited to sponsor 3 events at the annual Frontenac County Plowing Match (rain or shine). Brush up on your skills with the Scythe, the Plow or the ATV (or all three!) from experienced farmers – all included with the low price of admission ($5 for adults, free for children under 12).

Important Times:

10:00 AM Gates open

10:30 AM Plowing Workshop – presented by Dennis Mosier (or OPA judge)

12:00 PM Scything Workshop – presented by Bear, the Tinker

1:30 PM ATV Safety Workshop – presented by Jeff Peters

3:00 PM Awards Ceremony

4:00 PM Gates close

The Match will be held at John Scott’s Maybrook Farm, #2472 4th Concession, Kingston, ON (near the 401 and Joyceville Road). For more information contact: Brenden MacKinnon at 613-384-2713 or bda_mackinnon@sympatico.ca

2. Burt’s Greenhouse Tour and Sweet Potato Workshop

Sunday September 12, 1 – 4 PM

Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to see the operations of Burt’s Greenhouses! You will get an overview of the operation from planting to pest control to selling including a tour of our propagation area (both seed and cuttings).

After the tour, the real fun begins! Burt’s have been experimenting with sweet potatoes for the past two years including a greenhouse grown crop. You will receive a description of how they came to grow sweet potatoes and how the greenhouse crop is grown. We will then harvest a selection of plants so that you can see how they perform. Three varieties are grown; B-18s, Georgia Jet and Toka Toka Gold.

To register for this workshop, please visit http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/. Directions will be emailed upon registration.

3. Farm Life in Pictures

As the Fall Gathering rapidly approaches, we are working to pull together pictures of farmers in our community. In particular, we would love a shot of any of you on your farms/gardens for the purposes of a slideshow at the Fall Gathering, and online, to highlight our growing community! We’d also love pictures you have taken at NFP workshops and events this past year. So, if you can round up one or two of your best pics and send them in to us, we’d greatly appreciate it! Please email a low-resolution version (no bigger than 1 MB) to miguelhahn.nfp@gmail.com (please no more than 2 pictures per email).

To see some action shots from workshops in the past year, you can visit our FLICKR page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/43387963@N06/, or find the “NFU New Farm Project” on Facebook. Any Facebook users with pictures to share can post them online via our Facebook page as well…

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

4. Farmer’s Market at Queen’s University

The Farmers’ Market at Queen’s University brings local, high quality and fresh tasting food to the Queen’s community through regular markets on campus. The vision of the market is to provide students and other members of the community with easy access to locally produced food, thereby allowing an alternative to the traditional commercial food industry. The Farmers’ Markets at Queen’s will be held this year for the 4th season (starting September 15th).

The Farmers’ Market Committee is a non-profit, consensus-based and non-hierarchical group of students and other members of the Queen’s community dedicated to bringing local and sustainable food to the Queen’s University campus. We arrange advertising, help vendors set up and take down, and there is electricity available on-site. During the fall term (September to November) and in the spring term (as soon as the weather permits), the Farmers’ Market will be held every Wednesday from 9am-4pm in front of Stauffer Library, rain or shine. During the winter term, the Market is every other Wednesday in the Lower Ceilidh of the John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC), but the timing and location may change.

Contact us at: vendors@thefarmersmarketatqueens.com if you are interested in becoming a vendor, learning more about the market or attending our committee meetings. You can also visit our website at: www.thefarmersmarketatqueens.com.

5. Transition Kingston – “Our Slick Society” event

This event will feature presentations from two speakers, Rick Munroe and Bridget Doherty, on what peak oil is and what we can do locally to deal with the effects of peak oil. Rick Munroe is the Energy Security Analyst for the National Farmers Union and Bridget Doherty is an Energy Conservation and Poverty Issues Educator/Organizer with the Sisters of Providence.

Date: Wednesday, August 18

Time: 6:30-8:30pm

Place: Wilson Room, Central Public Library (130 Johnson St)

This event is free and all are welcome to attend. For more information on Transition Kingston, please visit http://transitionkingston.blogspot.com/

6. The Wolfe Island Farm Tour

Sunday, August 29 10am – 5pm

Come see Wolfe Island’s producers and farms at work in a self-guided tour. There will be eight farms to visit plus the Wolfe Island Bakery. For more info, including the farms on the tour and a PDF to view and print showing locations, please visit www.tasteofwolfeisland.ca and check the “Events” page.

NFU New Farm Project Update – July 8, 2010

1. AGRITOURISM PRIMER WORKSHOP – NEXT WEEK!!
2. NFP SCYTHING SERIES – PART II
3. EXPLORING FARMERS CO-OPERATIVES
4. LOCAL HARVEST COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 15
–
1. AGRITOURISM PRIMER WORKSHOP – NEXT WEEK!!
Friday July 16th, 9-12 AM
Location: Storrington Community Hall, 3910 Battersea Road.

Looking to get more visitors to your farm? Participating in the Open Barns this fall? In this workshop you will learn the ins and outs of agritourism including information about marketing, liability insurance, safety, and risk management, as well as getting lots of ideas from seeing successful examples in the field today.

The workshop will be presented by Cathy Bartolic, Executive Director of the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association. OFFMA is a membership based organization for farmers who market directly to the public through on-farm markets, PYO and/or agri-tainment operations. Cathy also owns and operates Perennial Petals, a farm business that grows fresh cut field flowers and garlic.

To reserve your spot, register online at http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/

2. NFP SCYTHING SERIES – PART II
Thursday July 29th, 8:15-12 AM
Location: Various farms in Maberly area.

Learn the art and science of scything in part 2 of this series from the NFU New Farm Project.  Each month we will visit a different farm for a chance to learn from a master, and hone our skills and our blades. Bring your own scythe if you have one, or use an NFP scythe if you don’t. A great chance to learn a traditional skill, meet new folks, and cut your carbon emissions!

In Part 2, Ethan and Robbie Anderman will review the basics from Part 1, offer advice and answer your questions regarding your stroke, peening, honing and dance form.  In addition they will also demonstrate and teach the strokes necessary for you to scythe in areas other than flat lawns, like hills, gullies, ditches, working around trees, rocks etc. We will all practice all these aspects of this ancient tool in its modern format.  A couple short videos from their teacher, Peter Vido in New Brunswick, will be shown to help better understand the scythe.

For over 30 years, the Anderman family has homesteaded on the Morninglory Community Farm in the rolling hills of the Ottawa Valley, where they established and maintain an extensive vegetable garden and pear and apple orchards. The Andermans are also the founders of the Coop Hemp Company, an earth- friendly, values led family business.

To reserve your spot, register online at http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/ – directions will be emailed upon registration.

3. EXPLORING FARMER’S CO-OPERATIVES

On June 23rd, 2010, an initial meeting was hosted by the New Farm Project and Urban Agriculture Kingston to start exploring the possibility of a farmers’ co-operative in the Kingston area. Russ Christianson, co-op development consultant provided background information on farmers co-operatives in Ontario (some of which can be found through the links below). Andrew McCann provided information on the Kingston area, and Harris Ivens and Penelope Tunnell profiled an organizational tool that could be helpful in developing a co-op.  Following the presentations there was a discussion period where Russ answered some questions, and farmers discussed key issues of concern to them. A major topic of discussion was the need for public education regarding local & sustainable food, although many other topics were touched on.

As summer tends to be busy for most farmers, and we are waiting for final approval of funding of the next phase of co-op exploration (most likely a feasibility study/business plan), we are keeping the ball rolling slowly with some recommended readings and a casual survey to assess needs and ideas in the community at large.

If you missed the meeting – no need to worry – you can still get involved! If you are curious about co-ops, please browse some of our recommended readings. If you would like to share your ideas or ask questions, please either fill in our survey, or contact us!

The survey and readings can be found at http://www.newfarmproject.ca/exploring-co-operatives/.

4. LOCAL HARVEST COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 15

We are excited to announce that a new edition of the Local Harvest bulletin and local food directory is in the works. The first committee meeting is next week on Thursday July 15, 2010. If you are interested in contributing your skills and ideas to this project please email Miguel Hahn, NFP Co-Coordinator at miguelhahn.nfp@gmail.com. Committee members will be expected to attend monthly meetings for the duration of the project, which is targeted for completion before spring – but we are also looking for more casual volunteers as well! For the curious, the previous edition of the Local Harvest can be found at http://www.fooddowntheroad.ca/online/resources.php#lh2.

NFU New Farm Project Update

– June 9, 2010

1. Award-Winning Innovation in Frontenac County

2. NFP Scything Series – Part I

3. Agritourism Primer

4. Local Harvest Call for Committee Members

5. Reminder – 3 Events in next 2 weeks!

–

1. Award-Winning Innovation in Frontenac County

The NFU New Farm Project has just been announced as the regional award winner of the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence. Each year across Ontario up to 55 regional award winners are announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. In recognition of their pioneering efforts, the NFU New Farm Project will receive a cash prize of $5000 which will further support their work to support local farmers and the sustainability of our local food system. Thanks to everyone involved in the project over the past 2 years (and more!) for making this possible!

2. NFP Scything Series – Part I

Sunday July 4th, 9-12 AM

Learn the art and science of scything in this new 3 part series from the NFU New Farm Project.  Each month we will visit a different farm for a chance to learn from a master, and hone our skills and our blades. Bring your own scythe if you have one, or use an NFP scythe if you don’t. A great chance to learn a traditional skill, meet new folks, and cut your carbon emissions!

In Part I, we will visit the Dowling farm on Howe Island and get down to basics with some practice on pasture. The colourful and entertaining Bear, the Tinker, will instruct on how to use and care for the scythe, and sprinkle in stories and history along the way.

To reserve your spot, register online at http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/ – directions will be emailed upon registration.

3. Agritourism Primer

Date: Friday July 16th, 9-12 AM

Location: Storrington Community Hall, 3910 Battersea Road.

Looking to get more visitors to your farm? Participating in the Open Barns this fall? In this workshop you will learn the ins and outs of agritourism including information about marketing, liability insurance, safety, and risk management, as well as getting lots of ideas from seeing successful examples in the field today.

The workshop will be presented by Cathy Bartolic, Executive Director of the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association. OFFMA is a membership based organization for farmers who market directly to the public through on-farm markets, PYO and/or agri-tainment operations. Cathy also owns and operates Perennial Petals, a farm business that grows fresh cut field flowers and garlic.

To reserve your spot, register online at http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/.

4. Local Harvest Call for Committee Members

We are excited to announce that a new edition of the Local Harvest bulletin and local food directory is in the works. This summer the NFU Local 316 will strike a committee to begin the process and is looking for volunteers to contribute skills and ideas. Committee members will be expected to attend monthly meetings for the duration of the project, which is targeted for completion before spring. The first meeting is to be held in mid-July, details TBA.

If you are interested in joining, please email Miguel Hahn, NFP Co-Coordinator at miguelhahn.nfp@gmail.com. The previous edition of the Local Harvest can be found at http://www.fooddowntheroad.ca/online/resources.php#lh2.

5. Reminder – 3 Events in next 2 weeks!

NFP FOOD FILM FRIDAY – DIRT! THE MOVIE

Friday June 18th, 7 PM

Location: Kingston Sustainability Centre, 193 Princess St

No registration needed for the movie!

RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS FOR HOME & FARM

Saturday June 19th, 10 AM – 3 PM

Location: 9780 Canoe Lake Road (near Westport)

To register for the workshops, please visit http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/.

FARMERS’ CO-OPERATIVE EXPLORATION SESSION

June 23, 1:00-4:30pm

Location: Kingston Unitarian Fellowship, 214 Concession St.

To register, please visit http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/.

NFU New Farm Project Update – May 14, 2010

NFP News

  1. Farmers’ Co-operative Exploration Session
  2. May Food Film Friday – The Power of Community
  3. June Food Film Friday – Dirt! The Movie
  4. Reminder of Upcoming NFP Workshops

Community Bulletin Board

  1. Frontenac Farmer’s Market
  2. Community Harvest Market

NFU NEW FARM PROJECT NEWS

1. Farmers’ Co-operative Exploration Session

June 23, 1:00-4:30pm – Kingston Unitarian Fellowship, 214 Concession St.

This session is open to all Kingston area farmers interested in the possibility of supplying sustainably grown, local food to a potential processing, distribution, and/or marketing co-operative. The main goal is to gather input on what farmers think is needed, what they think would work, and what the process might look like to develop such a co-operative.

Opportunities identified in the recent study, “Adding Local Food Value for Frontenac County Farmers and Communities: Report on Co-operative Processing and Distribution” will be presented, along with successful local food co-op models from other regions. Russ Christianson, co-op development expert, will facilitate and help to answer questions about co-operative set-up, governance and operation.

This meeting is part of a sustainable local food co-op research and development process being led by Urban Agriculture Kingston and the National Farmers Union, Local 316 New Farm Project, which will continue this summer and into the fall. To register, please visit http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/.

2. NFP Food Film Friday – The Power of Community

Friday May 28th, 7 PM

Location: Kingston Sustainability Centre, 193 Princess St

Second in our series of free films about food, this month we are showing “The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil”. It is the inspiring story of how Cuba responded to the challenge of dealing with drastically reduced oil and food imports in their economic crisis of the 1990’s. On the food front this included a drastic shift from industrial scale farming to small scale organic agriculture, including local urban gardens. A timely example that we can learn from as we struggle to relocalize and lessen our impact on the planet! See a brief trailer here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VHt5QchfdQ).

The centre will be open at 6:30 for you to check out the good work happening there. Please note: seating is limited so please arrive early to get a seat! After the film be sure to stick around for free snacks (from Main St Market) and a lively discussion on ideas raised in the movie.

3. NFP Food Film Friday – Dirt! The Movie

Friday June 18th, 7 PM

Location: Kingston Sustainability Centre, 193 Princess St

Third in our series of free films about food, this month we are excited to be showing “Dirt!”. A review from the website: “Dirt! The Movie is an insightful and timely film that tells the story of the glorious and unappreciated material beneath our feet. Inspired by William Bryant Logan’s acclaimed book Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth, Dirt! The Movie takes a humorous and substantial look into the history and current state of the living organic matter that we come from and will later return to. Dirt The Movie will make you want to get dirty!” Check out the trailer at http://dirtthemovie.org/

The centre will be open at 6:30 for you to check out the good work happening there. Please note: seating is limited so please arrive early to get a seat! After the film, be sure to stick around for free snacks (from Main St Market) and a lively discussion on ideas raised in the movie.

4. Reminder of Upcoming NFP Workshops

Pastured Poultry Workshop and Wiseacres Farm Tour, Saturday May 15th, 10 AM – 3 PM

Renewable Energy Projects for Home & Farm, Saturday June 19th, 10 AM – 3 PM

To register, please visit http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/.

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

1. Frontenac Farmer’s Market

Frontenac Farmer’s Market in Verona is a producer-only market that has been operating since 2005. Good signage makes it easy to find at the Lion’s Hall on Sand Road. Coffee and/or breakfast/brunch are available from the Lion’s Canteen. Special Events are held at least once a month. The Market runs year round, except six weeks over Christmas. The hours are: May-October 9-1(outdoors), and November to April 9-12 (indoors). Check out the website at: www.frontenacfarmersmarket.ca For vendor or customer information: information@frontenacfarmersmarket.ca

2. Community Harvest Market

Wally Elmer Centre, Wednesdays from June 16 to Sept. 29, 3-7 p.m. Local food and craft vendors are invited to contact Tara 613-544-4525 x 113 or tara.kainer@providence.ca for more information.

1. Farmers’ Co-operative Exploration Session

2. May Food Film Friday – The Power of Community

3. June Food Film Friday – Dirt! The Movie

4. Reminder of Upcoming NFP Workshops

NFU New Farm Project Update

– April 21st, 2010

  1. 3 NFP Events Next Week! – April 28, 29, 30
  2. Tractor Maintenance Workshop – May 5
  3. Pastured Poultry Workshop – May 15
  4. Cheese Making Workshop – June 2
  5. Renewable Energy for Farmers Workshop – June 19

1. 3 Events Next Week!

Just a reminder to come out to the 3 exciting events offered next week:

  • Wednesday April 28 – Composting Workshop
  • Thursday April 29 – Spring Gathering
  • Friday April 30 – Food Film Friday @ KSC showing of “Fresh”

For details and to register for any or all of these events, please visit http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/

2. Tractor Maintenance Workshop
Wednesday May 5th, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Want to keep your tractor running in tip-top shape? Come and learn the basics of tractor maintenance with Maureen Bostock at Desert Lake Gardens. We will do a regular spring tune-up on a diesel tractor including checking & replacing fluids and filters, belts, lubricating key joints, and the spring clutch prep for a rototiller. No registration required.

Desert Lake Gardens is located at 2213 Desert Lake Road.

3. Pastured Poultry Workshop and Wiseacres Farm Tour

Saturday May 15th, 10 AM – 3 PM

The morning will start with a farm tour of Wiseacres Farm, led by the owner, John Wise where visitors will get a chance to see the strawberries, garden, cattle, and field crops. The tour will be followed by a bag lunch networking break at noon (bring you own!).

In the afternoon John Wise will explain the in-depth the workings of his pastured poultry operation. They raise meat chickens on pasture using a moveable tarp covered shelter in conjunction with portable electrified netting. Besides the shelter system, he will discuss restricting feed in the critical first 3-4 weeks to virtually eliminate leg problems, probiotics, bedding, butchering, pricing and whatever else you want to talk about!

Wiseacres Farm is located at 1957 Centreville Road just West of the #4, North of Camden East. For an online map visit: http://wiseacres.macdade.ca/. To register for this event please visit: http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/

4. Cheese Making Workshop

Wednesday June 2nd from 9 AM – 3:30 PM

Back by popular demand, Glenda Fraser will run a repeat of last summer’s cheese making workshop in her industrious kitchen. Participants will learn the basics of cheese making, including making cheddar, ricotta, cream cheese, and curds. Be sure to bring a small tupperware or two to bring home your tasty samples! To register, please contact Tibrata Gillies at tibratagi@gmail.com or 613-483-2320.

5. Renewable Energy Projects for Farmers

Saturday June 19th, 10 AM – 3 PM

Learn about both off-grid and on-grid renewable energy projects in this 2 part workshop at Wintergreen Studios retreat centre and the neighbouring Forest Farm. In the morning, Rena Upitis will lead a guided tour through Wintergreen’s off-grid systems where we will explore energy sources and energy consumption. Discussion topics will include solar-powered electricity, solar domestic hot water, straw bale insulation, thermal mass, and living roofs.

In the afternoon, David Hahn will introduce the opportunities of the Feed In Tariff (FIT) program of the Green Energy and Economy Act for generating additional farm income through generating and selling solar electricity. This talk will include a short walk next door for a tour of the Forest Farm 10 KW solar photovoltaic installation.

This workshop includes lunch at Wintergreen Studios. Wintergreen Studios is located at 9780 Canoe Lake Road. NFP-subsidized registration fee $10. To register, please visit http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/.

NFU New Farm Project Update

– April 1st, 2010

1. A breath of fresh air at the NFP
2. Website changes
3. Find us on facebook
4. NFP Composting Workshop – April 28 (Date changed from April 7)
5. NFP Spring Gathering Invitation – April 29
6. NFP Food Film Fridays at the Kingston Sustainabilty Centre – April 30

1. A BREATH OF FRESH AIR AT THE NFP
With spring in the air, the New Farm Project is pleased to announce that Miguel Hahn has joined the project as co-coordinator from April to October. Miguel recently moved home from the city to his family’s Forest Farm near Westport where he is learning the ropes of their maple syrup and organic garlic operation. He will assume responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the New Farm Project, including event planning, website maintenance, and engaging with you, the members of the NFP community.

Ian Stutt will remain on board to ensure continuity and administrative support for the project. He is looking forward to farming full-time at his own farm at Patchwork Gardens this summer, and will be resuming his usual role with the project in the fall.

2. NFP WEBSITE CHANGES
This month we are excited to re-launch our newly updated website in a more interactive blog-style format. We will continue to send out project updates, but they will also be posted on the website. The shift in format will allow project participants to post to the website as well, providing an online forum for classifieds, announcements, and discussion. Look for these changes to be rolled out through the month of April and continue through the summer.

3. FIND US ON FACEBOOK
For Facebook users, we are pleased to announce the creation of a group page for the New Farm Project. Part of the mandate of the NFP is to build community, and this page represents another opportunity to make some connections. We will post articles, photos, and more here, but it is really meant as a place for YOU to connect with each other. So don’t be shy – got a question? Ask it! Have a great photo from a previous workshop? Post it! Find us here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=382227715308&ref=ts

4. NFP COMPOSTING WORKSHOP

Instructor: Maureen Bostock
Date: Wednesday April 28, 2010 (Date changed from April 7)
Time: 9am – 4pm
Location: Patchwork Gardens near Battersea
NFP-subsidized fee: $10

Are you looking to get the most from your compost? EFAO and the NFU New Farm Project present a workshop that will focus on the role of composting in maintaining long-term soil fertility on an organic farm. We will look at basic composting biology and the different options for getting a great final product. Special topics such as field application rates, crop rotation, vermiculture, compost teas, liquid manure, green manures and biogas will be touched on.

Be prepared for a walk out to compost piles at Patchwork Gardens and feel free to bring a sample from your compost pile for analysis during the workshop.

For more details and registration visit http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training.

5. NFP SPRING GATHERING INVITATION – APRIL 29TH
You’ve probably heard of the NFP Fall Gathering, the one-day gathering that is one part education, one part networking and one part celebration. Well get ready for the NFP Spring Gathering…which is all social!

On Thursday April 29th from 7 – 930pm at the Mill Street Cafe in Sydenham (4400 Mill Street across from Trousdale’s General Store), the 1st annual Spring Gathering will take place and everyone is welcome. Free appetizers and snacks, savoury and sweet, will be served along with juice, coffee and tea – so have a light dinner and come for a social evening! There will also be a cash bar serving drinks.

This event will be entirely for fun – a chance to socialize, enjoy good company, and meet new folks too.
For more details and registration (free) visit http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training.

6. NFP FOOD FILM FRIDAYS – LAUNCH APRIL 30th
Like free movies? Like food? The last Friday of every month the NFP, in partnership with the Kingston Sustainability Centre, will be showing free films about key food and farm issues. This month we will be showing the movie Fresh, about the local food movement, and featuring inspring leaders in the field. Following the movie, stick around for discussion and free snacks. Friday April 30th at 7 PM at the Kingston Sustainability Centre, 193 Princess Street. The Sustainability Centre will be open beforehand at 6:30, so feel free to come early and check out the good work happening there!

A quote from the review on EcoSalon:
“One of a pair of food documentaries making the rounds this summer, Fresh, The Movie, in contrast to Food Inc. (reviewed here last week) presents a vision of the possible by profiling heroes all over the country who are changing the way we eat. If Food Inc. was your wake up call, Fresh, The Movie is your call to action”

For more details and registration (limited seating) visit http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training.

NFU Fun Day at the Peters Farm - January 17th, 2010

NFU Fun Day at the Peters Farm - January 17th, 2010

Welcome to the NFU New Farm Project!

On January 17th 2010, the Peters family held the 10th Annual NFU Fun Day, opening their farm gate to anyone who wanted to come and enjoy wagon rides, skating, a potluck lunch and a social afternoon on their farm. With the fire stoked, the kids goofing around and an incredible spread of homemade dishes, it made for yet another great chance to get together, farmers and eaters alike, and celebrate the vibrancy of this farm community.

With a year and a half now elapsed in the NFU New Farm Project, there have been many instances in which participating farmers have expressed the enjoyment in feeling connected to the broader small farm/local food movement. It’s something important that brings a sense of support, meaning and encouragement to the work that they do.

This, in the end, is at the core of what the NFU New Farm Project aims to nurture: a shared sense of confidence that by “building farm capacity and farm community”, the family farm can remain a viable and integral part of today’s society.