LINNAEA FARM
ECOLOGICAL GARDEN PROGRAMME
POLICIES & PROCEDURES

1.0 Admissions
Students wishing to be admitted to the Linnaea Ecological Garden Programme are to carefully read the information in our web site (www.linnaeafarm.org) to gain an understanding of the LGP philosophy and format.

Students must be a minimum of 17 years of age to be admitted the Linnaea Ecological Garden Programme.

Any questions arising should be addressed to the Coordinator for clarification. Next an application and references should be submitted. The application deadline is generally November 1 for the course beginning the following Spring. We prefer to meet personally with applicants whenever this is reasonable. Applications are reviewed by a group of instructors and by the residents of Linnaea Farm, decisions are made, and notice is sent to each applicant stating whether they are accepted, wait listed, or not accepted.

Upon acceptance, a non-refundable registration fee of $100 is due. The first tuition payment of $1400 is due at the beginning of the first quarter, and $800 is to be paid at the beginning of each of the second and third quarters. For those living on the Farm, rent payments are due by the first of each month. A damage deposit is also required, to be paid with the first month's rent.

Students are required to provide for their own medical coverage while attending the programme. Note to out-of-province students: not all services are covered by other provinces' health insurance e.g. emergency airlift from Cortes Island to nearest hospital. Please carefully review your current health insurance policy and acquire additional coverage as necessary.

2.0 Enrollment
The total enrollment of the course will not exceed eleven pupils. An effort will be made to ensure that there is a balance of gender and diversity of age among the student body.

3.0 Student Conduct, Dismissal
Registered students of LGP are expected to conduct themselves responsibly, with due consideration for the setting, the purposes of the Linnaea Farm Society (LFS), and for others on the Farm (e.g. garden programme students, residents, staff, students and parents of Linnaea School, and visitors). Students must fulfill the course requirements and participate fully in programme activities. If a student fails to live up to these expectations, Linnaea Farm Society reserves the right to take whatever action is appropriate, including dismissal from the Programme.

Misconduct of particular concern includes but is not limited to: (1) acts affecting the safety of any individual, (2) damage to property, (3) theft, (4) disruption of routine farm activities, instruction, or programmes of the Society, (5) insufficient attendance.

In the event that a student is dismissed from LGP, written notice must be provided.

**4.0 Course Completion Requirements
In order to successfully complete the Linnaea Garden Programme and receive a certificate, the following requirements must be met.

(A)Attendance: Apart from excused absences, a student must be present for 90% of the scheduled Programme time as enumerated in the course outline and weekly schedule. Attendance is recorded in Production Garden, Permaculture, and Monday and Thursday classes. For the purposes of record keeping, there are 102 attendance days/year, so the maximum acceptable missed days is 10, or 20 half-day classes. Garden plots attendance requirements are separately listed below. Excused absences include illness and a variety of personal and family crises to be negotiated between the student and coordinator. All other course requirements must still be met. Tardiness: A student will be considered tardy if they arrive for a scheduled activity between 15 minutes and one hour late. Three tardies equals one absence. If a student is more than one hour late without notifying the instructor, they will be considered absent.

(B)Student Presentation: Each student is responsible to make a presentation to the group on a topic of particular interest to them, relating to the course curriculum. The student is responsible to pick a topic, clear it with the instructor, conduct the necessary research and preparation, and arrange a time for the presentation with the instructor. The topic for the presentation and the format can vary widely, depending on the interests and strengths of the student.

(C)Garden Plots Requirements: Each student is responsible to design and manage their own small garden plot throughout the garden season. Though there is a great deal of freedom in what to grow in this space, it is expected that each person will grow some food crops. Requirements are:
(a) a basic design of what you intend to grow, rough idea of space allocations and layout to discuss with the head instructor during March
(b) generally good routine maintenance of the beds throughout the season
(c) all beds appropriately "put to bed" before your final individual evaluation
(d) tidy and esthetic map and write up for the plot folder due on the Friday of the second last week of the programme
(e) adequate supply of compost to be ready to use at the beginning of the following year
(f) each student is expected to meet with an instructor in their plot on a regular basis throughout the year to get feedback

(D)Basic Gardening Skills: Each student must demonstrate an adequate familiarity with the basic gardening skills spelled out on the four seasonal evaluation forms.

5.0 Conflict Resolution
Should conflict arise between LGP students, student(s) and an instructor or student(s) and a resident, the following guidelines apply.
First, an attempt should be made to resolve the conflict directly with the person involved using the Linnaea Farm conflict resolution guidelines.
If this is not successful, they may contact a mediator from the list that is supplied to them at the beginning of each year's course. This mediator can simply act as an advisor or sounding board, or they can directly mediate between the parties.
In the event that a conflict cannot be resolved even with the help of a mediator, the Coordinator must be informed. When necessary, the Coordinator will request written submissions from all parties, and will provide a written decision. If the Coordinator cannot satisfactorily provide a resolution, or if the complaint involves the Coordinator, the issue is to be presented in writing to the LFS Board for resolution.**

6.0 Refund Policy Linnaea Farm Ecological Gardening Programme**
This policy applies to both Canadian and International students.
Refunds in Cases of Withdrawal or Dismissal
I. Written Notice
1. To initiate a refund, written notice must be provided:
a) By a student to the institution when the student withdraws, or
b) By the institution to the student where the institution dismisses a student.

II. Refund Entitlement
Refund entitlement is calculated on the total fees due under the contract, less the applicable non-refundable application or registration fee. Where total fees have not yet been collected, the institution is not responsible for refunding more than has been collected to date and a student may be required to make up for monies due under the contract.

III. Refund policy for students:
1. Refunds before the course begins. If written notice of withdrawal is received by LGP any time after the contract is made, and before the start of the programme of study, LGP may retain the $100 registration fee.

2. Refunds after the programme of study starts.
(a) If written notice of withdrawal is received by LGP or a student is dismissed during the months of March or April, LGP may retain 30% of the total tuition fees due under the contract.
(b) If written notice of withdrawal is received by LGP, or a student is dismissed during the months of May or June, LGP may retain 50% of the total tuition fees due under the contract.
(c) If a student withdraws or is dismissed after June 30, no refund will be given.

IV. Other Refund Policy Requirements
1. Where a student is deemed not to have met the institutional and/or program specific minimum requirements for admission, the institution must refund all fees paid under the contract, less the applicable non-refundable application or registration fee.
2. Where an institution provides technical equipment to a student, without cost to the student, and the student withdraws or is dismissed, the institution may charge the student for the equipment or use of the equipment on a cost recovery basis, unless the student returns the equipment unopened or as issued within fourteen (14) calendar days.
3. Refunds owing to students must be paid within thirty (30) calendar days of the institution receiving written notification of withdrawal and all required supporting documentation, or within thirty (30) calendar days of an institution's written notice of dismissal.


Linnaea Farm Ecological Gardening Programme Policies & Procedures -- revised February 3, 2010