We are looking for an experienced organic gardener (and family) to partner with us on building up a one-acre market garden site using permaculture principles. Set in the rolling hills of Northumberland County, our 120 acre farm is a mixture of field, forest, meadow and wetland with a beautiful view of Lake Ontario in the distance. We bought the farm in the fall of 2012 so this is a new venture for us. We have moved to the country to live a more peaceful and self-sustainable existence, closing the gap between field and table. We are growing and raising our food using organic and permaculture principles learned through our travels around the world, extensive reading, workshops and courses. We are also creating and Education Centre and Nature Park that will provide workshops, seminars and community events to the public to raise awareness about sustainable and healthy living. We are very interested in working with any interested parties as a farm-share - allowing others to make use of the land in mutually-beneficial partnerships (so far we have a bee-keeper and grain farmer).
For this first growing season we experimented with a small kitchen garden to see what grew best and get a feel for the whole process from seed to processing and selling. It was a lot of fun and we grew tons of great stuff but it's time to get serious for next year. We want to grow enough to meet the needs of a large family and volunteer staff, an extensive farm-gate, selling to restaurants, canning and preserving and catering. We can't do it alone. We would like to form a profit-sharing partnership with an experienced permaculture gardener (single, couple, family). We can offer 2 bedrooms rent-free plus a shared living room and kitchen.
As for the rest of the farm, We have laying chickens and are building fencing and outdoor shelters for more animals to come in the spring. Construction continues on many outbuildings which we are renovating or building new including a workshop, art studio, outdoor shower, many sheds and a yoga platform. We are also working in our forest cutting down trees for building materials, clearing paths and thinning out the cedar. And, last but definitely not least, our straw-bale home is now underway. The foundation, framework, electrical and plumbing are complete and the straw bale insulation has begun. Next is installing our earth brick floor, plastering, and all the interior finishing. We need help with this work too!
Our farm has a communal atmosphere with everyone gathering together at meal times to cook, share stories, strategize and get to know one another. When we were wwoofers, we loved working side by side with people from all over the world and now really enjoy hosting. We live in a lovely rural area but still close to urban centres with some fun restaurants, shops, lovely swimming beaches and many recreational activities. The train station is very close and Toronto is just over an hour away. Our beautiful lake-filled cottage country, just north of us, is a favourite weekend destination.
Let us know if you're interested. Call Linda Armstrong, 905-342-2301 or email
linda.armstrong@mac.com
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