This is about Feeding our Families
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Renee Delaney. I am a single mother of 2 boys, who just like you, want to know where the food we eat is coming from.
My background is natural health. I am a Homeopath however I never really thought that was my final choice in regards to my "career". I've always been drawn to horticulture.
A few years ago now I packed up our lives and moved to the country. The city lifestyle was just not working for me. Or my children for that matter.
The move has changed us, in more ways than we could have ever imagined.
Together, my boys and I, (as well as numerous friends and volunteers) started a non profit organization called the Niagara Farm Project. Our mission has been, and continues to be to create a self reliant food economy within the region.
We began this journey almost 2 years ago now, and even though the most incredible things have been happening we have really come to recognize a couple of serious issues that need our attention.
It is just simply time for we the consumers, to start taking matters into our own hands as far as food goes.
As someone who has experienced living in poverty for many years, I am well aware of the obstacles and barriers that prevent the working class population from ever "climbing up the latter". This has been my primary motivation. We need to change the entire infrastructure of how it is currently being done and actually work together. When we build a network of support within the very system we live as a part of, we become the answer. We are a part of the solution.
I understand now that anyone can sow a seed.
Even me.
Even you.
So, I began sowing. And I asked my friends to help, (most of them are so awesome they offered their help).
Before I knew it we started partnering with various organizations including our local community college. It's from them we starting learning about permaculture. Now we are using the resources on hand and mimicking nature to take care of our environment, our animals and our people.
We are building ecosystems on every property which to date is 4, with a combined total of over 80 acres. We are farming Niagara as a whole.
Everyone involved contributes something back into the bigger picture.
Oh and I haven't mentioned yet that our produce is free have I?
Well, it is.
Anyone who needs food can simply give me a call and I will personally prepare a bag for them.
At this time we work largely on donations from our fruit/veggie stands. Otherwise we treat the vegetables as our currency. It's what we have to give. What does not go to the volunteers or partners is packed up and brought to any number of group homes or poverty initiatives.
We have also started a database of people who not only support eating local, they too understand the benefits of bartering. We are profiling organizations, and hope to start a media campaign that highlights who's doing what for a better understanding of what's out there.
One of the biggest problems we face with local food is actually distribution so a lot of our effort is focused on educating the public as to where, when and how they can get real, fresh produce. We aim to increase the accessibility and affordability of healthy food, which frees up some of our income that typically goes entirely toward survival.
It is very important for me to know what I am eating and feeding my children, as I am sure it is to you.
Unfortunately I am not immune to falling for various marketing tactics that are getting harder and harder to distinguish. Even the word organic has become distorted and capitalized upon. I wonder where does one find the truth?
Over the last few months I am repeatedly hearing myself say, I never want to have to go to the grocery store again.
Well, every day I get closer and closer to making that dream a reality. We are working on it together and are set to start canning this summer, which will help us get through the winter.
Everyone is welcome. More people helping = more food.
In March 2016 one of our properties (35 acres) will be ready for livestock. We will be purchasing all heritage breed animals, mainly black pigs, chickens and cows. They will be hormone and antibiotic free, (homeopathy). We will also have a large reservoir for fish and as we speak are looking into aquaponics for within our greenhouse.
This is where you come in.
I know in my heart we need to keep the produce free, this is key. For those who can afford to pay however we will be providing heirloom vegetables at our fruit/veggie stands. As well, the price of our meat will be well below average, certainly in comparison to organic, and yet I assure you these animals will be treated the best, far above and beyond what the organic "standards" are. We will not however go through the certification process. Our time is just too valuable and our efforts are needed elsewhere. (That being said, anything you want to know, just ask. We are going to remain completely transparent with our polices and practices).
We want what's best, that is all.
So what do we need? Well, since there are so many ways to help support us, you tell us what you are offering and we will support/offer you something in return.
Or you can just simply help us right here right now with a cash donation. We are hoping you are as encouraged as we are and would like to support our initiative to add meat to this self reliant food economy.
Your donations will build a barn and help us prepare a natural habitat for them.
Your donations will also build a chicken coop.
We are well on our way but clearly the bigger we get the more people there are that will eat well.
So, we thought we'd give gofundme a shot.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at all.
Thank you for your time.
Renee
www.niagarafarmproject.ca
My background is natural health. I am a Homeopath however I never really thought that was my final choice in regards to my "career". I've always been drawn to horticulture.
A few years ago now I packed up our lives and moved to the country. The city lifestyle was just not working for me. Or my children for that matter.
The move has changed us, in more ways than we could have ever imagined.
Together, my boys and I, (as well as numerous friends and volunteers) started a non profit organization called the Niagara Farm Project. Our mission has been, and continues to be to create a self reliant food economy within the region.
We began this journey almost 2 years ago now, and even though the most incredible things have been happening we have really come to recognize a couple of serious issues that need our attention.
It is just simply time for we the consumers, to start taking matters into our own hands as far as food goes.
As someone who has experienced living in poverty for many years, I am well aware of the obstacles and barriers that prevent the working class population from ever "climbing up the latter". This has been my primary motivation. We need to change the entire infrastructure of how it is currently being done and actually work together. When we build a network of support within the very system we live as a part of, we become the answer. We are a part of the solution.
I understand now that anyone can sow a seed.
Even me.
Even you.
So, I began sowing. And I asked my friends to help, (most of them are so awesome they offered their help).
Before I knew it we started partnering with various organizations including our local community college. It's from them we starting learning about permaculture. Now we are using the resources on hand and mimicking nature to take care of our environment, our animals and our people.
We are building ecosystems on every property which to date is 4, with a combined total of over 80 acres. We are farming Niagara as a whole.
Everyone involved contributes something back into the bigger picture.
Oh and I haven't mentioned yet that our produce is free have I?
Well, it is.
Anyone who needs food can simply give me a call and I will personally prepare a bag for them.
At this time we work largely on donations from our fruit/veggie stands. Otherwise we treat the vegetables as our currency. It's what we have to give. What does not go to the volunteers or partners is packed up and brought to any number of group homes or poverty initiatives.
We have also started a database of people who not only support eating local, they too understand the benefits of bartering. We are profiling organizations, and hope to start a media campaign that highlights who's doing what for a better understanding of what's out there.
One of the biggest problems we face with local food is actually distribution so a lot of our effort is focused on educating the public as to where, when and how they can get real, fresh produce. We aim to increase the accessibility and affordability of healthy food, which frees up some of our income that typically goes entirely toward survival.
It is very important for me to know what I am eating and feeding my children, as I am sure it is to you.
Unfortunately I am not immune to falling for various marketing tactics that are getting harder and harder to distinguish. Even the word organic has become distorted and capitalized upon. I wonder where does one find the truth?
Over the last few months I am repeatedly hearing myself say, I never want to have to go to the grocery store again.
Well, every day I get closer and closer to making that dream a reality. We are working on it together and are set to start canning this summer, which will help us get through the winter.
Everyone is welcome. More people helping = more food.
In March 2016 one of our properties (35 acres) will be ready for livestock. We will be purchasing all heritage breed animals, mainly black pigs, chickens and cows. They will be hormone and antibiotic free, (homeopathy). We will also have a large reservoir for fish and as we speak are looking into aquaponics for within our greenhouse.
This is where you come in.
I know in my heart we need to keep the produce free, this is key. For those who can afford to pay however we will be providing heirloom vegetables at our fruit/veggie stands. As well, the price of our meat will be well below average, certainly in comparison to organic, and yet I assure you these animals will be treated the best, far above and beyond what the organic "standards" are. We will not however go through the certification process. Our time is just too valuable and our efforts are needed elsewhere. (That being said, anything you want to know, just ask. We are going to remain completely transparent with our polices and practices).
We want what's best, that is all.
So what do we need? Well, since there are so many ways to help support us, you tell us what you are offering and we will support/offer you something in return.
Or you can just simply help us right here right now with a cash donation. We are hoping you are as encouraged as we are and would like to support our initiative to add meat to this self reliant food economy.
Your donations will build a barn and help us prepare a natural habitat for them.
Your donations will also build a chicken coop.
We are well on our way but clearly the bigger we get the more people there are that will eat well.
So, we thought we'd give gofundme a shot.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at all.
Thank you for your time.
Renee
www.niagarafarmproject.ca
Organizer
Renee Delaney
Organizer
Grimsby, ON
