Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the new farm project? How does it help farmers?
2. How do I “receive a gift” or participate in the project?
3. What is “passing on the gift”? Can you give me some examples?
4. What is the NFU? Do I have to be an NFU member to be in the NFP?
5. How do I get a conference bursary?
6. What is CRAFT Kingston?
7. How is the project funded? Who is Heifer?
8. Are the events free?
9. How can I stay up to date on the project and its offerings?
10. How can I get involved/volunteer?
1. What is the New Farm Project? How does it help farmers?
The NFU New Farm Project is a farmer support program aimed at strengthening the Kingston area’s farm community and local food system. The project provides workshops, information, conference bursaries, and financial support for new and transitioning farmers working to provide local food in a sustainable way (economically, socially, and environmentally). Read more.
2. How do I “receive a gift” or participate in the project?
Anyone interested can attend workshops, get the newsletter, get involved in the equipment sharing co-op, or apply for conference bursaries. For those looking to receive financial support for farm expenses, please contact us for more information or to be considered as a candidate. Each year the project identifies at least 8 new farmers and 2 revisionary farmers to receive financial support of up to $1000 for livestock, seed, equipment, and training. This is typically done early in the year, so don’t hesitate!
3. What is “passing on the gift”? Can you give me some examples?
Each participant, within the NFU New Farm Project, who receives a gift of; livestock, seed, orchard tree seedlings, hand tools, or training, signs a contract to pass on a similar gift to another farmer. This encourages the community to support each other in an ever-expanding circle of giving. Sharing best practices, individual successes and research with others will enable all to benefit. This is the basis of community – sharing and caring. Examples of passing on the gift include giving livestock or seeds to other farmers, running a workshop or seed exchange, or giving volunteer hours to the project. Read more.
4. What is the NFU? Do I have to be an NFU member to be in the NFP?
Membership in the National Farmers Union is not a requirement for participation in the NFU New Farm Project but it is encouraged since it is a way of supporting the work of the NFU in your community and beyond. Learn more about the NFU and the benefits of membership.
5. How do I get a conference bursary?
The NFU New Farm Project is pleased to offer a bursary program to help cover a significant portion of the cost of farming-related conferences and workshops. Due to the limited number of bursaries available for any given conference, you must apply to the program and be selected by the Project Committee. The NFU New Farm Project will now also offer financial support to farmers wanting to attend conferences/workshops that have not been designated. These bursaries need to be approved by the NFP Project Committee ahead of time. Please contact us if there is training that would benefit you and we’ll do our best to accommodate within our budget.
Craft is the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training in Kingston. Through this project each CRAFT Kingston farm operates independently and offers its own internship at their farm then where interns will live, work and learn at that farm for a full growing season. To be involved as a farmer or intern, please visit the CRAFT Kingston page for more details.
7. How is the project funded? Who is Heifer?
The NFU New Farm Project is a four-year project with major funding by Heifer International, a non-profit organization whose goal is to help end world hunger and poverty through self-reliance & sustainability. The project will run from September 2008 until June 2012.
Almost all of the workshops offered by the NFP are free, and some are nearly free. These for-fee workshops are offered at a subsidized rate, with a small contribution required to cover the cost of meals or materials (which will be indicated at the time of registration).
9. How can I stay up to date on the project and its offerings?
Join our mailing list! Simply fill in the mailing list subscription box on the left side of any page (including this one!). You may unsubscribe at any time (instructions are included in each newsletter).
10. How can I get involved/volunteer?
Contact us! There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer, from helping out with individual events, offering workshops, to serving on committees and more. We thrive on your involvement – without volunteer contributions the project would not exist!