Those behind the Flour Mill Community Farm have set a $25,000 fundraising goal they hope to achieve by the end of March in order to maintain their programming throughout 2022.
“2021 marked the fifth growing season at the farm and community support is needed more than ever so that the project can continue into the 2022 growing season,” farm co-ordinator Fionna Tough said in a media release issued by the organization.
The organization has raised $13,756 to date, of which $5,000 is conditional on them reaching their $25,000 goal by the end of March.
Donors thus far have included 21 individuals and two corporate sponsors – Desjardins and Sudbury Credit Union.
The Local Poverty Reduction Fund funded the program’s initial three-year pilot program, which ended in 2020. With no long-term funding in place, the organization is looking to the community to keep it running until more stable funding can be found.
Located behind Ryan Heights in the Flour Mill neighbourhood, the community farm provides jobs for youths during the growing season. It’s a community-driven project that was sparked by residents of the Flour Mill and Donovan area who wanted to make a positive change in their neighbourhood.
To date, the farm has employed more than 40 youths through YMCA Employment Services and the Canada Summer Jobs program.
The youths range in age from 15-25 and are often from what the organization referred to as “equity-deserving populations.”
“The initiative uses agriculture as a tool to help youth gain meaningful job experience, social skills development, and a connection to the environment and the food system,” according to the release. “Fresh, ecologically grown produce is grown by the youth each year and is offered at affordable prices to those living near the farm in the Ryan Heights/Cambrian Heights neighborhood.”
The urban farm also provides farm-management opportunities to budding farmers who graduate from agriculture-related post-secondary programs but do not yet have access to land or capital to run their own farms.
To donate to the Flour Mill Community Farm, visit the Social Planning Council of Sudbury’s “Canada Helps” donation page by clicking here. The organization is a registered charity.
They’ve also launched a sponsorship package with various incentives available for companies and organizations, such as company logo placements.
More information about the sponsorship package and donating to this cause can be found by emailing [email protected] or phoning 705-929-2729.
A video about the Flour Mill Community Farm can be found by clicking here.
