HAY Lakehead Farm Club members and supporters! Long thyme no seed!
After a long Covid-related hibernation, we are SOW excited to share this Official LUSU Petition with you in support of the RREF – the Recreation, Research and Education Farm proposed for our Orillia campus.
We need your support for our petition to the Lakehead University Board of Governors to:
Permanently protect 20 acres of heritage farmland, historically known as Horne Farm, on the northwest portion of the Lakehead Orillia Campus. In doing so, we are urging the Board to pass a motion to protect the land, in principle, and work on consulting with the community on and off-campus to develop it for use for sustainable and socially responsible agriculture, and related ecological buildings, infrastructure and activities, including agri-food recreation, research, and education.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
1. Sign the petition, add a thoughtful comment about what this project means to you.
2. Share the petition with your fellow students, friends, family, faculty and community and explain why it is important that they support it.
3. Students: Ask your professors to integrate this project for course assignments and credit!
4. Ask that your club, workplace, or organization write a letter of support for the RREF!
5. If you know members of the Board of Governors – speak to them directly about this proposal and ask for their support. They have the final decision on land use on campus.
6. Contact us to learn more about this proposal and how you can be involved.
Proposed Campaign Timeline:
1. Spring-Fall (2022) – Launch petition, build support, get on agenda of Board of Governors.
2. Fall (2022) – Board of Governors passes the motion.
3. Winter-Spring 2022-2023 – Launch “RREF Steering Committee” to design and implement a campus-community consultation and design process.
4. Spring-Fall 2023 – Develop a feasible multi-phase development plan and strategy
5. 2024 – Launch Phase 1 (hands in the soil!)
Submitted and Sponsored by – Jacob Kearey-Moreland
Co-Chair: Sustainable Orillia’s ‘Sustainable Agriculture & Natural Environment’ Sector
