Bylaws
Purpose
CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) in Eastern Connecticut is an organization of farms dedicated to providing farm education and training to its farm apprentices and employees. We do this by organizing farm field meetings which are attended by the apprentices or employees of member farms.
History
The original CRAFT group was organized by farmers in eastern New York and western Massachusetts in 1994. Since that time the concept has become popular nationwide. CRAFT in Eastern Connecticut was organized in 2023.
Organizational Geography
CRAFT in Eastern Connecticut farms are located to the east of the Connecticut River.
Annual Member Farm Meeting
Member farms will gather once a year on the last Wednesday in February to review the previous season and plan the next one. A quorum of two thirds of current participating farms must be present to make changes in the bylaws.
New Member Farms
A farm within the above listed boundaries may apply for membership. New farms must indicate their interest to the current leader by February 15 of the season and cannot join mid-season. The new farm needs to be 'sponsored' by a current member farm. At the annual meeting, the sponsor will describe the farm and a simple majority vote will be taken to admit or deny admittance to the candidate farm.
Field Meeting Specifications
The Craft Field Meeting Calendar will be created and distributed at the annual Member Farm meeting.
Field meetings will begin promptly at 4:00 PM and will end around 5:30 PM, followed by a potluck supper.
Field meetings will be comprised of a tour and general description and history of the farm, and then a more in-depth discussion of an area in which the farmer has some expertise. The majority of the farm meeting must be delivered by a principal of the host farm, although experienced farm employees may also contribute.
CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) in Eastern Connecticut is an organization of farms dedicated to providing farm education and training to its farm apprentices and employees. We do this by organizing farm field meetings which are attended by the apprentices or employees of member farms.
History
The original CRAFT group was organized by farmers in eastern New York and western Massachusetts in 1994. Since that time the concept has become popular nationwide. CRAFT in Eastern Connecticut was organized in 2023.
Organizational Geography
CRAFT in Eastern Connecticut farms are located to the east of the Connecticut River.
Annual Member Farm Meeting
Member farms will gather once a year on the last Wednesday in February to review the previous season and plan the next one. A quorum of two thirds of current participating farms must be present to make changes in the bylaws.
New Member Farms
A farm within the above listed boundaries may apply for membership. New farms must indicate their interest to the current leader by February 15 of the season and cannot join mid-season. The new farm needs to be 'sponsored' by a current member farm. At the annual meeting, the sponsor will describe the farm and a simple majority vote will be taken to admit or deny admittance to the candidate farm.
Field Meeting Specifications
The Craft Field Meeting Calendar will be created and distributed at the annual Member Farm meeting.
Field meetings will begin promptly at 4:00 PM and will end around 5:30 PM, followed by a potluck supper.
Field meetings will be comprised of a tour and general description and history of the farm, and then a more in-depth discussion of an area in which the farmer has some expertise. The majority of the farm meeting must be delivered by a principal of the host farm, although experienced farm employees may also contribute.