Farmlands Trust Volunteers are Welcome at Newman Farm

• Invited guests must wear sturdy shoes or boots at Newman Farm

• As an active agricultural site, our licensed area of Newman Farm is a smoke-free environment (no smoking). Also, animals are not permitted.

Volunteering with The Farmlands Trust Society

There are many ways to contribute to The Farmlands Trust Society (FLT). In addition to donations, you can contribute your time and talent! Volunteers play an important role in supporting the FLT achieve its mandate and offer activities all year round. Through a diversity of talent, skills and abilities, volunteers support FLT governance, finance, farmland preservation and management, community relations and public affairs, First Nations outreach and fund development. Volunteers are welcome from across Greater Victoria.

If you would like to volunteer with the FLT, please fill out our FLT Volunteer Application Form to let us know how you can help. All volunteer applications are reviewed with consideration of current volunteer opportunities.

You can send your completed form to: The Farmlands Trust Society, PO Box 9, Saanichton, BC V8M 2C3

For more information, please email: farmlandstrust@gmail.com

Currently, we are seeking volunteers to participate in one or more of the following FLT activities:

Gardening. During the annual farm season (approximately June to September), we welcome volunteers at Newman Farm in Saanichton, BC to assist with our “field to plate” initiative and pollinator-friendly farming. All levels of experience in gardening are most welcome. Produce grown at the historic Farm are harvested and redistributed to Our Place Society’s regional meal and snack programs - serving Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable populations. Key activities include maintaining the vegetable garden (assorted produce) and raised garden beds (assorted produce, flowers, and herbs) which includes managing weeds, (organic) fertilizing of the plants, and tidying up the vegetable garden plots and raised garden beds to support optimal growth during the farm season;

Governance. This committee oversees the FLT Constitution, By-laws and Strategic Plan and ensures that the governance structure evolves based on the needs and expectations of the FLT and its strategic partners (e.g., FLT supporters);

Finance and Audit. This committee develops and guides financial management, auditing and risk management policies and practices for the FLT;

Community Relations and Public Affairs. This committee (a) develops and implements initiatives that promote awareness and interest in Greater Victoria agriculture and food, (b) manages FLT strategic communications in consultation with the FLT Board of Directors and (c) manages the FLT distribution/supporter lists;

First Nations Outreach. This committee (a) develops and implements initiatives that integrate First Nations’ interests and knowledge in the management of agricultural corridor lands and promotes awareness and interest in Greater Victoria food security and (b) works to encourage understanding of the FLT activities and encourage participation and support;

Fund Development. This committee assists the FLT Society Board of Directors in the planning, coordination, and implementation of fund development activities in support of the projects, operations, and related activities of the FLT Society as a charitable not-for-profit organization.

Note: FLT volunteers who may be in a position to supervise children and vulnerable persons will be required to undergo a criminal record check, the cost of which will be borne by the Farmlands Trust Society.