Welcome to CRAFT Southwest Ontario!
The CRAFT network in Ontario began, in the early 2000’s, with our regional network in Southwest Ontario. We drew upon the framework of the original CRAFT network in Massachusetts and New York states. We have since been joined by regional nodes of Ontario that have formed throughout the province (Kingston, Kawartha, Northeast).
The number of member farms in the CRAFT SW Ontario network has grown over the years. We consist of several of the original member farms, some farms being operated by past CRAFT interns, and new members as well.
Requirements of Member Farms of CRAFT in Southwest Ontario
Each Farm:
- offers a full-season organic farming internship;
- operates according to organic standards. Organic certification is not required, but practices must meet or exceed the Canadian Organic Standard;
- adheres to all relevant workplace safety and human resources regulations;
- grows food and sells or barters it to other people;
- has a full-time farmer working at the farm who has at least 3 years of commercial growing experience;
- provides adequate housing for interns;
- has an educational plan in place for interns;
- 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;
- sends a farmer to at least two CRAFT days;
- participates in the CRAFT Farmers planning and evaluation meetings located in SW Ontario;
- volunteers one in every three years on a CRAFT farmer working group;
- contributes an annual 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 Southwest Ontario.
New farm applications are closed for the 2017 season. Applications for 2018 are due by Nov 15th 2017
Please contact the Southwest Coordinator for general inquiries. Click Here to download the application form.