NFU New Farm Project Update – September 6th, 2011
NFU NEW FARM PROJECT NEWS
1. Bookkeeping Seminar for Small Farm Businesses
2. Fall Gathering 2011 – Save the Date – Saturday December 10th
3. Passing on the Gift – Send us your updates!
4. Open Farms 2011 – press release – Who’s Your Farmer?
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
5. Biodynamic Study Group
6. Step Up Mentorship Program
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NFU NEW FARM PROJECT NEWS
1. BOOKKEEPING SEMINAR FOR SMALL FARM BUSINESSES
Monday November 14th, 1 – 4 PM
This seminar will explore ways to organize your bookkeeping system that will serve your business management needs and enable you to file your tax returns more easily. Participants should come prepared to share what works for them and to describe the challenges they have with keeping up with their paperwork.
During her professional career as a Certified General Accountant, Linda Van Hal has helped many new businesses set up their bookkeeping systems and for 36 years has been “keeping the books” for her husband’s automotive and farm equipment repair business on Wolfe Island.
Directions: The seminar will be held at the CFDC boardroom at 4917 HWY 38 in Harrowsmith (the building with green awnings at the main intersection in town). Max 15 participants.
To register for this workshop, please visit http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/.
2. FALL GATHERING – SAVE THE DATE – SATURDAY DECEMBER 10TH
This year’s 4th annual NFU Fall Gathering will be held on Saturday December 10th at the Harrowsmith Golden Links Hall – please mark the date on your calendars! More information and registration instructions coming in the next month. In the meantime, if you are interesting in volunteering at the event to help with setup, decorating, or in the kitchen, please let us know!
3. PASSING ON THE GIFT – SEND US YOUR UPDATES!
This fall we will be sending out the 2nd annual Passing on the Gift update letting folks know what gift giving has been happening in the community. If you have received a gift from the project and have passed on all or part of it as part of your agreement, please let us know by Friday September 16th by sending a short note to Ian Stutt at ianstutt@newfarmproject.ca.
4. OPEN FARMS 2011 – PRESS RELEASE – WHO’S YOUR FARMER?
You know your doctor, your dentist, your lawyer and your accountant. But whose growing your food? The National Farmers Union thinks it’s time to get to know your farmer and has organized a tour of 16 farms in the region. The second annual Open Farms tour is all about making connections with growers of meat, vegetables and fruit and dairy producers. “Food is something we take for granted,” says tour organizer Sharon Freeman. “Most of us don’t give much thought to what we put into our mouths. But, the consequences for our health, the economy and our communities can be huge. Getting to know our local producers and choosing their products benefits us all.” The farms are in and around the Kingston area and span between Tamworth to the west and Lyndhurst to the east.
Much like the popular art studio tours, the public can choose which farms they wish to visit and take a leisurely drive while they enjoy the fall colours. “The tour really is a feast for the senses at this most bountiful time of year,” says Freeman. Each farm is unique in what it grows and what it will have to show. Some will demonstrate equipment. Some will have animals to view and others will have products for sale and may offer samples. “This is the perfect opportunity to educate our children about where food comes from and to take advantage of the height of the harvest by purchasing freshly picked produce right at farmgate,” says Freeman. To download a map of the tour, got to www.openfarms.ca.
For more information, contact Sharon Freeman at 613-353-6889.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
5. BIODYNAMIC STUDY GROUP
Awakening Our Capacity For BioSynergy: The Spiritual Foundations of Biodynamic Agriculture
- Sunday Mornings, 8:30 – 11 AM
- October 23, November 20, December 18, 2011; January 15, February 12, March 4, April 15, 2012 (7 sessions)
- @ Anam Cara Spiritual Centre in Bellrock Ontario
- Facilitator: Karen Holmes, B.Ed. Spiritual Director
This book-study-learning group will awaken our capacities to perceive the spirit at work in matter by exploring:
- (through literature) The Foundations of the Biodynamic World-View (aka, anthroposophy); Contemporary Agricultural and Earth-Science that contributes to a spiritual-awareness of the Earth and Creation.
- (through practice) The Spiritual and Meditative Practices proposed by Steiner and Plant Spirit Medicine practitioners & shamans to awaken our capacity for bio-synergy and clairvoyance (‘clear-seeing’).
The avenues for exploration are endless so we will focus our energies this time on creating a conscious-connection with the plant-world. In late April into early-summer 2012, we will make the biodynamic compost-preparations that contribute to soil-fertility.
Who is this for? Anyone who:
- has studied introductory biodynamics; or
- has a firm commitment/intent to work with biodynamics either as a farmer or home-gardener; or
- who is interested in developing their intuition, super-sensible capacities and relationship with the natural world.
Cost:
- $80 – $240 for the seven months; or $12 – $32/session (it is strongly recommended that you commit to attend all sessions).
- NFU-members: Free (or Good-Will Donation).
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 14, 2011 Contact: Karen Holmes, (613) 374-1303 spiritway@sympatico.ca
6. STEP UP MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
09/6/11 – OTTAWA, ON – The Canadian Farm Business Management Council, Canadian 4-H Council, Canadian Young Farmers’ Forum, and Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ Program have joined forces to unveil the all new STEP UP mentorship program.
STEP UP is an on-farm learning placement that matches those planning or considering a farming career with an experienced farm manager so that they can learn critical aspects of farm business management in a hands-on setting.
For Mentees, STEP UP is a great opportunity to:
- Learn while you earn – You can cultivate new skills and abilities by learning from the best…and potentially earn a wage at the same time!
- Build a wide network of contacts and increase your confidence and motivation.
- Broaden your horizons and experience.
Participating in the STEP UP program as a Mentor also has its benefits since you can:
- Share your passion and knowledge thereby allowing you to make a significant and enduring impact on an up and coming farmer’s career.
- Gain a fresh perspective.
- Receive a $2,000 honorarium.
Interested in getting involved?
You can be a Mentee, if you are: 18 years of age or older, interested in owning and operating your own farm someday, willing to travel within Canada and possibly outside of your province, able to commit at least 8 continuous weeks to your Mentor, and are eager to learn and share your own ideas and experience.
Farm managers, experienced in any type of farming are encouraged to become Mentors. To be a Mentor requires: time, patience, an open mind, and an interest in passing on the best of your farm business management knowledge.
To apply visit the STEP UP webpage at www.farmcentre.com, and don’t delay! Mentees and Mentors are ready to get their hands dirty!
For more information contact: Jennifer Hardy-Parr, STEP UP Program Coordinator, PH: 1-888-232-3262 ext. 0, Email: stepup@cfbmc.com