Farmers do not grow crops, they create the condi5ons for crops to grow. Gareth Morgan

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1 Farmers do not grow crops, they create the condi5ons for crops to grow Gareth Morgan

2 FarmStart creates the condi0ons for a new genera0on of ecological farmers to grow. 1) We provide Start Up Farms and Training and Resources that support new farmers to build their capacity and confidence to get their farm dreams off the ground and to thrive. 2) We lead Strategic Ini0a0ves and offer Sector Services that enable new farmers to develop sustainable and resilient farm livelihoods. The necessary condi:ons for viable, resilient, and sustainable farmers PERSONAL CAPACITY Confidence and entrepreneurial spirit Experience Skills building opportuni5es Business development support Appropriate and 5mely technical resources Sector Services ECOLOGICAL AND LOCAL FARM COMMUNITIES Peers Mentors Local resources Cultural opportuni5es Start Up Farms Training & Resources PRODUCTIVE RESOURCES Affordable Farmland tenure Accessible Opera5ng Capital Appropriate scale Infrastructure and Equipment Livestock, seed and organic inputs Strategic IniQaQves ENABLING ENVIRONMENT Suppor5ve policies and programs Farm Centered Research and Extension Local food system infrastructure Value chains and viable markets Based on a Sustainable Livelihoods Framework

3 Increased number of capable and confident new farmers Increase in connected, complementary & local programs, networks and resources for new farmers Increased land and financing opportuni5es for establishing farmers Increased programs, services and policies that support new entrants, farm succession and farm viability Increased numbers of people considering a career in agriculture PROGRAMS AND SERVICES SHARE, COLLABORATE AND COORDINATE WITH PEERS LEAD STRATEGIC INITIATIVES ADVOCATE FOR NEW & ECOLOGICAL FARMERS ENCOURAGE CAREER IN FARMING New farmers Sector Partners Strategic Partners Government and Ins5tu5ons General Public Sector-wide Theory of Change Direct work with Farmers 70% of organiza5onal focus Indirect sector wide capacity building 30% of organiza5onal focus Key: Goals and Outcomes

4 Help evaluate a career in farming Iden5fy necessary training, skills and assets Explore different prac5ces and business models Provide low risk access to land, equipment and infrastructure to start own farm business Provide small amount of capital for start up inputs and pass on of inputs, peers support or food dona5ons Enable peer connec5ons and access to mentors Provide business development resources, training and mentorship opportuni5es Provide one on one coaching Help to create long term land tenure opportuni5es and access to Early Stage Financing Create connec5ons and provide character reference for farmers Explorers (100 par5cipants / year) Planners (40 par5cipants/ year) Start Up Farmers yrs 1 3 (20 farmers directly supported/ year) Enterprise Farmers Yrs 3 5 (10 farmers/ year) Who we serve (triangle indicates stages of farm path development) What we do (triangle indicates gradient of investment and resources ) Intermediate Outcomes Ul5mate Outcome Increase # of commiued and realisqc Planners CommiUed and Prepared Start up Farmers Confident & Capable Enterprise Farmers Increased numbers of viable, resilient and sustainable farmers A resilient and healthy food system FarmStart s Programs and Services Our Programs (described in detail on pg 4) Explorer Course Digging into farming On farm learning Start Up Farms Seed Capital Business Development Resources FarmLINK.net Establishing yrs 5 7 (4 farmers/yr)

5 TRAINING AND RESOURCES START UP FARMS FARMER OUTCOMES Explorer Course Digging into Farming Course On farm learning Seed Capital Program 3 explorer Courses in each farm region 4 evening course Farm tours 1 2 Digging into Farming Course near each farm 2 day course On line ac5on plan and coach Start up Farm Required workshops Skills building farm tours On farm workshops $3000 for start up inputs $ and connec5ons for mentorship and training Business start up Coaching Peers and part of a broader movement Testcropper (March Nov) Start Up Farm (yr 1 3) 4 Test croppers each farm, Must have Digging Ac5on Plan, reasonable experience and farm vision ¼ acre Farm tours Technical workshops Have a sound farm business proposal 1 3 acres of land Infrastructure and Equipment Paired with a mentor (2 days/ month on farm coop) Peers and mentors Coaching Connec5ons to resources and on farm opportuni5es Access to resources & training Experience, feasibility assessment & track record Peers Informed commitment to pursue farming (or decision not to farm) Suppor5ve peer community Poten5al Mentors & viable farm models Skills & knowledge Appropriate training, resources and mentors Increase # of commiued and realisqc Planners CommiUed and Prepared Start up Farmers Confident & Capable Enterprise Farmers Business Development Resources FarmLINK.net Webinars Workshops Coaching Lucky in Land events Matchmaking for landowners Enterprise Farm (yr 4 5) Have a viable farm business plan 3 5 acres land Infrastructure and Equipment Coaching Prepared to access produc5ve affordable and secure farmland tenure Prepared to invest in infrastructure and assets, access opera5ng capital A network of peers coaches, mentors and advisors Local resources and strong farm communi5es Increased numbers of viable, resilient and sustainable farmers PROGRAMS AND SERVICES 70% of organiza0onal focus

6 Start Up Farms Poten5al Start Up Farm Loca5ons Digger Course Poten5al Digger loca5ons Explorer Course loca5ons Poten5al Explorer loca5ons Farm tours, 2 hr radius Poten5al Farm Tours FarmStart Program Radius Southwest Ontario