Mid-term (1 to 6 months) "agriculture" project in Canada

Between June and October – various length of stay allowed.

This year we will be building a “Green Barn” which is an experiment in northern, cold climate greenhouse heating. Our goal is to utilize a combination of sustainable greenhouse heating techniques that we can demonstrate to others in cold climate situations as a viable and attractive option while expanding our growing season and increasing our food production.
Our long-term goal here at Purple Raven Farm is to produce healthy food in ways that remain resilient under growing climatic, resource and economic pressures so that we can continue to produce food for those in need as we move into this future. We have a wide range of different projects including,
Garden work, vegetable, herb and flower maintenance, wild herb harvesting, garden bed expansion building, taking care of goats, trial building, wood harvesting, building a wood shed, composting, mushroom cultivation, wood chipping, clay oven building, wild berry harvesting, rock moving, soil building.

See www.purpleravenfarm.com

A tiny house. See www.purpleravenfarm.com for more details.

Canoeing, hiking, bicycling, arts and crafts, ping pong, firepit socializing, outdoor pizza making.

You must send your arrival details to vfp@vfp.org so we can arrange to meet you. We can pick you up from Ottawa airport.  The other option is to take a bus up here from Toronto if you fly into Toronto.

ABOUT VOLUNTEERS FOR PEACE (VFP):
Volunteers For Peace (VFP) is a US non-profit organization founded in 1982 and located in Burlington, Vermont. Through international voluntary service VFP promotes intercultural education, service learning, and community development. Each year we support local communities by organizing and promoting about 20 short, medium and long-term service projects in the USA and many projects in Haiti and Nicaragua. We have exchanged over 31,000 volunteers worldwide and offer over 3,000 projects in more than 100 countries around the world. Through these projects, nations join together to improve life on our planet. Our volunteers experience a microcosm of our world within the international group of volunteers, and communities are able to create goals that improve life for their members.

We provide opportunities for volunteers to build cultural understanding and connections around the world while exploring grassroots community development and leadership roles. Volunteers will be encouraged to learn, share and plan effective ways to address local and global challenges together. Through these experiences, our volunteers gain valuable skills and an enhanced global consciousness, which we believe will help them become citizen diplomats, global leaders, and advocates for a more peaceful world! For more information visit our website at www.vfp.org.

Volunteers are reminded that Dismas House is a shared living environment therefore it is recommended not to bring valuable items, unless absolutely necessary. Volunteers should ensure that they carry full insurance to cover both themselves (medical) and their possessions, as this is not provided.

VFP hosts, staff and co-leaders work hard to ensure a rewarding and unforgettable experience in the USA. Please read the following expectations below.
Every volunteer is an important and valuable part of the group. You are expected to be an active member, contribute to the work project, assist with cooking and cleaning, and participate in work and free-time activities. Please come prepared with recipes, photos, music, cultural information, group games and other information and activities to share with other volunteers and the community!

Work activities will take place for about 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. Some days and projects may have longer or shorter work periods depending on the weather, leadership, motivation, availability of materials and other factors. Be flexible!
VFP and your local hosts will provide many fun and cultural free-time activities during the project. If volunteers decide to travel to a different location as a group or plan their own free-time activities they will be responsible to cover the expenses. The camp leaders will be able to share how much free-time activities will cost.

Co-leaders, workcamp hosts and work project leaders are there to help you plan activities, understand your tasks, teach you how to use tools and many other things. They are not there to solve all your problems! If you have concerns or issues please raise them with a leader and work with the leader to engage the group in finding a solution that works for everyone!

Volunteers are expected to live as a group. You are expected to stay for the entire duration of the project and are not allowed to arrange your own activities and spend days or nights away from the project.