Terms of Service

Effective Date: December 1st 2024
Last Updated: December 1st 2024

Welcome to SLU FarmYard! These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of our website (https://slufarmyard.com), including its features, services, and content. By accessing or using SLU FarmYard, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please refrain from using our platform.

1. Platform Overview

SLU FarmYard is an online membership platform designed to support and empower the agricultural industry in St. Lucia. It offers:

• Social Features: Profiles, messaging, and connections for users to interact.
• Groups: Public, private, and association-specific groups for collaboration and networking.
• Marketplace: A multivendor platform for agricultural businesses and farmers to sell their products.
• Educational Resources: Free and paid courses, blogs, and other materials.
• Community Features: Events calendar, forums, and Zoom integrations.

2. Definitions

• “User” refers to any individual accessing or using the platform.
• “Vendor” refers to users who list and sell products on the marketplace.
• “Group Admin” refers to individuals managing specific groups.
• “Content” refers to any materials (e.g., text, images, videos) shared on SLU FarmYard.

3. Account Types and Registration

a. Profile Types

SLU FarmYard offers the following user profiles:

• Individual Profiles: For farmers, enthusiasts, and other individuals in the agricultural industry.
• Business Profiles: For businesses offering agricultural products, services, or education.
• Association Profiles: For formal agricultural groups or cooperatives.

b. Group Types

• Public Groups: Open to all users for general discussions and networking.
• Private Groups: Restricted to invited members only.
• Association Groups: Designed for formal associations with additional administrative features.

c. Registration Requirements

• Users must provide accurate information during registration.
• Users must be at least 18 years old to create an account.
• Business and association profiles must provide verifiable information.

4. User Responsibilities

a. General Conduct

• Users agree to use SLU FarmYard responsibly and ethically.
• Prohibited activities include but are not limited to:
  • Sharing false or misleading information.
  • Posting illegal, harmful, or offensive content.
  • Engaging in harassment, hate speech, or discrimination.
  • Attempting to disrupt platform operations.

b. Profile and Group Management

• Users are responsible for the activity conducted under their profiles.
• Group Admins must moderate their groups to ensure compliance with these Terms.

c. Marketplace Conduct

• Vendors must provide accurate descriptions of their products.
• Vendors are required to honor their refund and return policies.

5. Content and Intellectual Property

a. User-Generated Content

• Users retain ownership of content they share but grant SLU FarmYard a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute it on the platform.
• SLU FarmYard reserves the right to remove content violating these Terms.

b. Platform Content

• All SLU FarmYard materials, including logos, text, and images, are protected by copyright and intellectual property laws.

6. Marketplace and Transactions

a. Role of SLU FarmYard

• SLU FarmYard provides a marketplace for transactions between buyers and vendors but does not own or control listed products.
• SLU FarmYard is not liable for disputes arising from transactions.

b. Dispute Resolution

• Buyers and vendors are encouraged to resolve disputes directly.
• SLU FarmYard may intervene if disputes are unresolved after 7 days.

7. Group Policies

a. Public Groups

• Open discussions are encouraged, but all content must adhere to community guidelines.

b. Private Groups

• Membership and content visibility are managed by Group Admins.

c. Association Groups

• These groups must represent legitimate organizations and comply with applicable laws.

8. Paid Services and Subscriptions

• Some features, such as paid courses or membership tiers, may require payment.
• Users agree to provide accurate billing information and comply with payment terms.
• Refunds for paid services will be subject to the terms specified at the time of purchase.

9. Termination of Accounts

SLU FarmYard reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms, including but not limited to:

• Breach of marketplace policies.
• Repeated inappropriate behavior.
• Fraudulent activities.

10. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

• SLU FarmYard does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access to its platform.
• SLU FarmYard is not liable for any damages arising from the use or inability to use the platform.

11. Indemnification

Users agree to indemnify and hold SLU FarmYard harmless from any claims, losses, or damages arising from their use of the platform.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of St. Lucia. Any disputes will be resolved under the jurisdiction of St. Lucian courts.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms periodically. Significant changes will be communicated via email or website notifications.

14. Contact Information

For questions or concerns about these Terms, contact us at:

• Email: info@slufarmyard.com

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: December 1st 2024
Last Updated: December 1st 2024

SLU FarmYard (“we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting it through compliance with this Privacy Policy. This document outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you visit our website (https://slufarmyard.com) and engage with our services.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide better services to our users. This includes:

a. Information You Provide Directly

• Account Registration: Name, email address, password, and other profile details.
• Marketplace Transactions: Billing details, shipping address, and payment information.
• Community Features: Content you post in groups, forums, or other shared spaces.
• Course Enrollment: Information required for course participation.

b. Automatically Collected Information

• Log Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, pages viewed, and timestamps.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Data to enhance user experience (e.g., saved preferences).

c. Third-Party Sources

Information from external platforms like Zoom or social media if integrated with SLU FarmYard.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide and improve our services.
• Enable community engagement through forums, groups, and events.
• Facilitate purchases on the marketplace.
• Deliver educational content, including courses and blog posts.
• Communicate updates, promotional offers, or important changes.
• Ensure security and prevent fraudulent activities.

3. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your information. However, we may share your data:

• With Service Providers: To facilitate operations (e.g., payment processors, hosting services).
• Within the Community: Posts or activity in public forums or groups may be visible to others.
• For Legal Compliance: When required by law or to protect our legal rights.

4. Your Choices and Rights

• Access and Update: Edit your profile information through your account settings.
• Delete Your Account: Request account deletion by contacting us at info@slufarmyard.com.
• Cookies: Adjust cookie settings via your browser.
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails through the provided link.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data. While no system is completely secure, we strive to protect your information from unauthorized access or misuse.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfill our obligations, provide services, or comply with legal requirements.

7. Third-Party Links and Features

Our website may include links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for their privacy practices.

8. Children’s Privacy

SLU FarmYard is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect data from minors.

9. International Users

If you are accessing SLU FarmYard from outside St. Lucia, note that your data may be transferred and processed in St. Lucia or other countries.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Significant changes will be notified to you via email or a prominent notice on our website.

11. Contact Us

For questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, contact us at:

• Email: info@slufarmyard.com
• Mailing Address: Saltibus PO, LC10 301.