Organic Farming Coop

ORGANIC FARM COOP, HISTORY & FUTURE    

The Organic Farm Coop started with a discussion among friends concerning the toxic nature of our food and the high cost of food associated with a degree of helplines in our daily lives. The idea of an Organic Farm Coop was hatched. We have come a long way and we thank those that have contributed.     

We have identified several farms but the most promising is a 100 acre parcel in Flamborough Township On. It qualifies for our Organic Farm Coop. The most attractive feature is a large house suitable for small conventions and meetings as well as a B&B.     

We propose to have about 400 members and some of these members may wish to take part in daily activities as time permits. In exchange for this sweat equity they will be paid in food. Since this is quite a large project we suggest that one option is to follow an old Amish program where a person is designated or volunteers to be a boss. There can be a vegetable boss, hay boss, milk boss, straw boss, fruit boss, berry boss etc.      

Depending on volume and excess of production we will be supplying some commercial operations such as restaurants and markets. It is planned that rather than let produce rot in the fields we will process some into preserves and some crops will be stored in root cellars as required for winter consumption.    

There is not a lot of work in growing produce but some like berries will require some extra labour. We have the option of owner participation and or some transient labour as is quite popular in this area. This is not considered to be a major issue as all farms seem to cope quite well. 

Membership levels:

General Member - Free

Be informed and help spread the word about the OFC Project. You have to be
signed up for the newsletter and your spot in the membership options waiting
line is time-stamped. [Bear in mind that there is a good chance that most of
farm products will be ordered ahead of time and that there may not be much
surplus.]

Be first to be informed about- and have access to OFC activities and events;
be the first to know about project expansion and additional ownership and
food shares; be notified about availability of surplus food from the farm at
advantageous pricing, before distribution to retail enterprises.

Priority Buying Member - $100 annually

Receive the General Member benefits, plus: Be placed on priority waiting list to receive notice about availability of products from the farm before they are offered to retail establishments. Receive two free tickets to Annual Dinner.

Committed Buying Member - $500 annual membership

In addition to the general and priority buyer benefits, receive products annually from the farm equal to $1,000 offered at retail. In the unlikely event products are not delivered during the year, funds remaining will carry over to the next year.

Coop Land Owner - $5,000 (or $6,500 with 5-year payment plan)

Receive Cooperative ownership rights in OFC real property and assets, including annual profit sharing, calculated as specified in the terms of the Trust. When you choose this option we shall immediately send you the terms for the release of funds and your ownership details.

We need every member to spread the word and sign up on the www.organicfarmcoop.org web site with your phone number.

Royce Hamer

Project Coordinator