South Western Ontario

Welcome to CRAFT South Western Ontario!

ITS NOT TOO LATE TO APPLY FOR THE 2010 SEASON!  The following farms in our region are still accepting applications for the current growing season.  Check out the farm descriptions then contact the farms you are interested in as soon as possible. 

The CRAFT network in Ontario began with our regional network in South Western Ontario. We drew upon on the framework of the original CRAFT network in Massachusetts and New York states. We are now pleased to welcome other regional nodes of CRAFT Ontario that are being formed throughout the province.

The SW Ontario CRAFT node has specific requirements of its participating farms, and employs a multiple farm application and selection process. On this page we explain these requirements of farmers and applicants, as well as the framework for our CRAFT field days.

SW ONT. CRAFT FARM DESCRIPTIONS

SW ONT. CRAFT FARM MAP

SW ONT. CRAFT FARM SELECTION PROCESS


Requirements of Member Farms of CRAFT in South Western Ontario
Each farm:

  • offers a full-season organic farming internship (details of these internships vary from farm to farm – see farm descriptions);
  • operates according to organic standards. Organic certification is not required, but practices must meet or exceed the Canadian Organic Standard; (could have a link here to C.O.S. description?)
  • takes part in an annual joint-selection process designed to provide increased selection/choice for applicants;
  • sends their interns to all six of the monthly CRAFT field trips;
  • hosts a CRAFT field trip or participates in a panel once every year or as needed;
  • attends at least three CRAFT days to ensure farmer diversity at the field day;
  • participates in the CRAFT Farmers planning and evaluation meetings located in SW Ontario;
  • volunteers one in every three years on the CRAFT working group, which takes care of CRAFT administrative tasks;
  • grows food and sells or barters it to other people;
  • contributes a membership fee to cover advertising and administration costs;
  • provides baseline data about the farm for CRAFT interns;
  • communicates with the CRAFT node members via the CRAFT farmer listserve.

The details of a farm internship vary from one farm to another, but all internships are based on an exchange that involves the intern’s labour and commitment and the farmer’s instruction, supervision, education, time and commitment. The internship agreement is between the farmer and the intern, and not with CRAFT Ontario.

QUESTIONS:
If you would like be become a member farm of CRAFT in South Western Ontario, contact the South Westerc Coordinator, Theresa Schumilas: Tschumilas at rogers.com For other inquiries, please go to our Contact page.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE CRAFT FIELD TRIPS IN SOUTH WESTERN ONTARIO?
The field trip schedule for CRAFT in South Western Ontario includes field trips to six of the CRAFT farms. CRAFT field trips are on the second Wednesday of every month, from 9 am – 4pm. All farms arrange for their interns to participate fully in each field trip. The itinerary for each CRAFT field trip is as follows:

  • a talk or workshop on a specific topic/activity that is an important element of a sustainable farm (e.g. farm equipment, soil fertility, livestock care, business planning.)
  • a pot-luck lunch
  • a farm tour/field-walk
  • a work project or group activity

Each CRAFT farm operates independently and offers its own internship which differs from the other farms with respect to such things as: living and eating arrangements, stipends, work hours, and training methods. For more details see the descriptions below and contact the farms directly.
If you are a successful applicant to a CRAFT farm then you will live, work and learn at that farm for a full growing season.

APPLICATION DEADLINES:
The best time to apply is before February 8. Applying before this date gives you the best chance of receiving an internship offer from one of the CRAFT farms.

A few CRAFT farms accept applications after the February 8th deadline. Inquire with individual farms to find out if they are accepting applications throughout the year.

For more info on applying to more than one CRAFT SW Ontario farm see CRAFT SW Ontario Application and Selection Process.


South Western CRAFT Ontario Farms: