FarmLINK Ontario

Every now and then you run across an innovative idea that you have to pass on. For a number of organic farmers one of their first barriers is to get a land base on which to establish themselves and produce their crops or livestock. Money is often a very limited resource for the new farmer and they find it difficult to buy land. This new approach tries to match new farmers with experienced farmers who may be interested in some new land arrangements.

Three organizations, Kawartha Heritage Conservancy, Ontario Farmland Trust, and FarmStart have launched FarmLINK Ontario, a web-based initiative to connect new farmers with land, mentorship opportunities and resources of all kinds.

At the heart of the website is a Matchmaker tool, which brings together new farmers who are looking for land and/or mentorship with farm owners who have land available and/or expertise to share. If you are interested, visit www.farmlinkontario.ca to check it out, create an account and a farm listing or farm seeker profile, search through lists of available farm opportunities and the profiles of farmers looking for land! If you have any questions about using FarmLINK's on-line MatchMaker tool, please contact Ali English at farmlink@farmstart.ca or at 519-836-7046 ext 104, who will help you access this program over the phone.

Over the next year, FarmLINK Ontario will also grow to include an online resource collection for new farmers, established farmers, and all farmland owners. So it's a great time to send in your comments and ideas for us to consider as we work to make FarmLINK as useful as possible. You'll find a feedback form on the website, or call 519-836-7046 ext 104.

Kawartha Heritage Conservancy, http://www.kawarthaheritage.org/
Ontario Farmland Trust, http://www.ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/
FarmStart http://www.farmstart.ca/

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