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PARTICIPANT FARMSTAY AGREEMENT

INTRODUCTION

Contact Canada’s farmstay programme offers participants an opportunity to live on a farm and to learn firsthand how a farm operates. Contact Canada’s host families welcome people onto their farms and into their homes at little or no cost to the participant. Participants, however, must be willing to help with daily chores and assist in the day to day operation of the farm. The farm will provide each participant with a place to sleep and three meals per day.

Working holiday visa holders on the programme must agree to stay at least 1 month and work approx. 40 hours a week. The language barrier and the typical participant’s lack of farm or work experience makes training a time consuming affair for many farmers, and it is usually a long time before a participant is of any great help to the farmer. It is good to keep this in mind and to understand that all of our farmers realize that the majority of our participants don’t have any farm experience but are willing to help you in any way they can to adjust to life on the farm. All Host Families have expressed an interest in people from other cultures which is the primary reason they were invited to be a part of the farmstay programme.

If, however, you find yourself working more than 40hours per week, and feel that you are doing the same amount of work as other workers on the farm and in the same amount of time, you should negotiate with the farmer for an hourly wage for any extra hours worked. Participants should also remember, however, that this is not an employment programme but and educational experience. Please understand that some farmers cannot afford to pay you for extra hours and would prefer that you didn’t work the hours if you must be paid a full wage.

The following understanding and agreement, has been written to help clarify the duties and responsibilities of the participant, the Host Family, and Contact Canada. It will also provide you, the participant, with a general idea of what life on a farm might involve. Please read it carefully and be sure to ask our coordinator for clarification about anything you aren’t absolutely clear about. In this way, we hope to ensure that your experience is a positive and enjoyable one.

You can download following agreement form by PDF format
     Working farmstay agreement
     Farmstay agreement form

You need acrobat  reader to open PDF file. 

The following is an Agreement between Contact Canada Educational Services. ("Contact Canada") and
___________________________, (the "Participant"), under which Contact Canada agrees to
provide, and the Participant agrees to accept placement with a Canadian Host Family, under the
following terms and conditions:

 Placement
    1. In the event that Contact Canada finds a host family with whom the participant can be placed,
        such placement may last anywhere from one day to 3 months. The duration of the placement
       will be agreed upon by the parties prior to placement.

    2. Contact Canada will attempt to place the participant in a farmstay environment that will coincide
        as closely as possible with what is requested on his/her application form, however, a perfect match
        cannot be guaranteed.

    3. The participant may request a change in host family for personal reasons; however, a placement fee
        will be charged each time a change is made at the Participant's request. Participants cannot request
        a change in host family based on religion, race, occupation, or cultural differences.

Fee
    4. Upon submitting an application for a host family placement, the participant will provide  Contact
        Canada with a $60.00 deposit. This deposit is non-refundable except in cases where a host
        cannot be found.

    5. The participant shall pay the remaining fees (fees for family, airport pick-up, etc.) to Contact
        Canada upon acceptance by the participant of the host family arranged by Contact Canada.
        The entire fee is  due in advance of the participant being placed with the host family.

Conditions
    6. The participant will be prepared to work 40 hours per week. The participant understands  that
        daily work schedules can vary dramatically depending on the season, the weather, machinery,
        animal  behaviour,  etc.

    7. The participant acknowledges that he/she has read Contact Canada's Farmstay Guide and  will
        abide by  the instructions found therein.

    8. The participant shall notify Contact Canada immediately if a difficulty arises between the participant
        and the host family.

    9. The participant agrees to request permission to use the host family's telephone, and will keep calls
        to a  reasonable length of time and shall restrict late night calls after 10 p.m. Any long distance calls
        should be "collect" or using "time and charges" or a calling card. participants must pay all outstanding
        long distance calls made by him/her.

    10. The participant will not smoke in the host family's home if they are not smokers, and the participant
          will never smoke in his/her bedroom.

    11. The participant recognizes that he/she is expected to take part in the host family’s daily activities
          and to participate in general chores shared by the family. The participant shall respect and follow
         the host family’s  rules in their home. The participant is expected to pay his/her expenses when
         participating in family activities  that cost money.

Termination
    12. Where a host family cancels the placement for reasons unrelated to the participant's conduct,
          Contact Canada will  attempt to arrange for placement with another host family. No additional fee
          will be charged for the service.

    13. Where a host family cancels the placement for reasons related to the participant's conduct, will
          not be obligated to arrange an alternate placement for the participant.

    14. If the participant terminates the placement for personal reasons, he/she will give the host family
         and Contact Canada two weeks' advance notice. In the event of such termination, or in the case
         of termination  by the participant without  notice, the Participant may be charged a penalty fee.
         Contact Canada shall not be obligated to arrange an alternate placement for the Participant in
         either case.

    15. Contact Canada reserves the right to cancel the placement without advance notice, and  without
          refund to the Participant in the following cases:

          a) where the Participant causes physical or mental harm to members of the host family or visitors
              to the family's home;

          b) where the Participant causes damage to the host family's home or property; or

          c) where the Participant's conduct is such that continued participation in the homestay or farmstay
              programme is not feasible.

    16. Contact Canada reserves the right to terminate this agreement at any time, upon refunding to the
          participant the total amount of fees that the Participant paid to Contact Canada. In such case,
          Contact Canada shall have no further obligation to the participant.

Exclusion of Liability
    17. The participant understands and acknowledges that Contact Canada must rely to a great extent
          on the information provided to it by the hosts. Contact Canada's screening of the hosts is limited
         to the information provided by the hosts in their application process and interviews. While Contact
         Canada will not knowingly retain as a host any individual it knows to be inappropriate, but ultimately,
         the quality of the experience the participant will receive from  the host cannot be guaranteed.

    18. The Participant accepts full risk and responsibility for any injury the participant may incur, or any
          damage to the participant's property arising from participation in the farmstay Program.
          The participant releases and forever discharges Contact Canada, its respective owners, agents
          and employees, from all actions, causes of actions, suits, claims, or demands whatsoever, that
          may arise from the Participant’s participation in the farmstay program.

Miscellaneous
   19. The participant shall secure health insurance for medical emergencies and shall maintain this
         insurance for the duration of the placement. The participant consents to the host family securing
         medical treatment for the participant in the event of illness.

    20. The participant acknowledges that he/she is responsible for making full reparations to the host
          family for any damages to the host family's property.

    21. The participant agrees not to refer or recommend anyone directly to the host family.participants
          who wish to make such recommendations, shall contact Contact Canada directly.

    22. Both parties agree that this agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the
          Province of British Columbia.

Representation
    23. The participant represents and warrants that all the information in his/her farmstay application is
          true and complete to the best of his/her knowledge.

    24. The participant represents and warrants that he/she has read all the points contained in this
          agreement which is titled PARTICIPANT FARMSTAY AGREEMENT .
 

DATED at the City of __________________, in the Province of ___________________,
this ___ day of _______________, 20__.
 
 

________________________         _________________________
Participant                                         Contact Canada
 
 
 

NOTE: All parties acknowledge that facsimile copies will be treated as originals.

The following is an agreement between Contact Canada Educational Services ("Contact Canada") and
___________________________, (the "Participant"), under which Contact Canada agrees to provide,
and the participant agrees to accept placement with a canadian host family, under the following terms
and conditions:

 Placement
    1. In the event that Contact Canada finds a host family with whom the participant can be placed, such
        placement may last anywhere from one day to 3 months. The duration of the placement will be
        agreed upon by the parties prior to placement.

    2. Contact Canada will attempt to place the participant in a farmstay environment that will coincide as
        closely as possible with what is requested on his/her application form, however, a perfect match
        cannot be guaranteed.

    3. The participant may request a change in host family for personal reasons; however, a placement fee
        will be charged each  time a change is made at the participant's request. Participants cannot request
        a change in host family based on religion, race, occupation, or  cultural differences.

Fee
    4. Upon submitting an application for a host family placement, the participant will provide Contact
        Canada with a $60.00 deposit. This deposit is non-refundable except in cases where a host cannot
        be found.

    5. The participant shall pay the remaining fees (fees for family, airport pick-up, etc.) to Contact
       Canada upon acceptance by the participant of the host family arranged by Contact Canada.
       The entire fee is due in advance of the participant being placed with the host family.

Conditions
    6. The participant acknowledges that he/she has read Contact Canada's Farmstay Guide and will
        abide by the instructions found therein.

    7. The participant shall notify Contact Canada immediately if a difficulty arises between the participant
        and the host family.

    8. The participant agrees to request permission to use the host family's telephone, and will keep
        calls to a reasonable length of time and shall restrict late night calls after 10 p.m. Any long
        distance calls should be "collect" or using "time and charges" a calling card.  Participants must
        pay all outstanding long distance calls made by him/her.

    9. The Participant will not smoke in the host family's home if they are not smokers, and the participant
       will never smoke in his/her bedroom.

    10. The participant recognizes that he/she is expected to take part in the host family’s daily activities
         and to participate in general chores shared by the family. The participant shall respect and follow
         the host family’s rules in their home. The participant is expected to pay his/her expenses when
         participating in family activities that cost money.

Termination
    11. Where a host family cancels the placement for reasons unrelated to the participant's conduct,
          Contact Canada will attempt to arrange for placement with another host family. No additional
         fee will be charged for the service.

    12. Where a host family cancels the placement for reasons related to the participant's conduct,
         will not be obligated to arrange an alternate placement for the participant.

    13. If the participant terminates the placement for personal reasons, he/she will give the host family
         and Contact Canada two weeks' advance notice. In the event of such termination, or in the case
         of termination by the Participant without notice, no refund will be given. Contact Canada shall not
         be obligated to arrange an alternate placement for the participant in either case.

    14. Contact Canada reserves the right to cancel the placement without advance notice, and without
          refund to the participant in the following cases:

          a.) where the participant causes physical or mental harm to members of the host family or visitors
               to the family's home;

          b.) where the participant causes damage to the host family's home or property; or

          c.) where the participant's conduct is such that continued participation in the homestay or farmstay
               program is not  feasible.

    15. Contact Canada reserves the right to terminate this agreement at any time, upon refunding to the
          participant the total amount of fees that the participant paid to Contact Canada. In such case,
         Contact Canada shall have no further obligation to the participant.

Exclusion of Liability
    16. The Participant understands and acknowledges that Contact Canada must rely to a great extent
          on the information  provided to it by the hosts. Contact Canada's screening of the hosts is limited
          to the information provided by the hosts in their application process and interviews. While Contact
          Canada will not knowingly retain as a host any  individual it  knows to be inappropriate, but
          ultimately, the quality of the experience the participant will receive from  the host cannot be
          guaranteed.

    17. The participant accepts full risk and responsibility for any injury the participant may incur,
         or any damage to the participant's property arising from participation in the farmstay program.
         The participant releases and forever discharges Contact Canada, its respective owners, agents
         and employees, from all actions, causes of actions, suits, claims, or demands whatsoever,
         that may arise from the participant’s participation in the farmstay program.

Miscellaneous
    18. The participant shall secure health insurance for medical emergencies and shall maintain  this
          insurance for the duration of the placement. The participant consents to the host family securing
         medical treatment for the participant in the event of illness.

    19. The participant acknowledges that he/she is responsible for making full reparations to the host
          family for any damages to the host family's property.

    20. The participant agrees not to refer or recommend anyone directly to the host family. Participants
         who wish to make such recommendations, shall contact Contact Canada directly.

    21. Both parties agree that this agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of  the
          Province of British Columbia.

Representation
    22. The participant represents and warrants that all the information in his/her farmstay application is
          true and complete to the best of his/her knowledge.

    23. The participant represents and warrants that he/she has read all the points contained in this
         agreement which is titled PARTICIPANT FARMSTAY AGREEMENT
 

DATED at the City of __________________, in the Province of ___________________,
this ___ day of _______________, 20__.
 
 

________________________       _________________________
Participant                                       Contact Canada
 

NOTE: All parties acknowledge that facsimile copies will be treated as originals.
 
 

2003.12.22