50 Beautiful Acres + Cabin + Barn Available for Rent

Farm description

We have been owners of this 150 acre farm since 2012. In that time we have produced a lot of maple syrup (from 2800 taps currently), and smaller amounts of eggs, mushrooms, berries, asparagus, and garlic. Other activities have included keeping a flock of sheep, wild harvesting, and transforming raw ingredients into products like granola and apple cider. We are entering a transition period, with some members of the original group of two families leaving to fulfill other needs and a new member coming in. This transition has brought a lot of new ideas and energy to the farm, which is part of why we're posting in this space. We have big plans going forward, including farmstays, events, workshops, a commercial kitchen, and a cidery. We would like to open the farm to the community in a way that it hasn't been to date. Our website is https://fermeetforet.ca/.

Farm opportunity

We have 50 acres of fields and 25 acres of forest available for rent. Most of the forest is maple, on a hill, with a smaller coniferous section along a creek at the bottom of a ravine. The fields are gently rolling, with large flatish sections. The soil is Class 2 and 3. Not much has been done in the fields for years, other than haying and some pasturing of sheep. Part of the acreage is back from the road and quite private, accessed through a private road. There is a strawbale cabin on this private section, built in 2014. It has a woodstove, propane range, wraparound porch, a great view, and water collection (not potable) off the roof. There is no electricity or running water, although for the right tenant we could look at adding solar panels and a well. Outside, there is an outhouse. The cabin would be suitable for a single person or a couple. There is a 40' by 60' barn in good shape, with stalls downstairs and a hayloft up. There is some wire fencing in place, although it needs repairing in some places. There is a well at the main house with plenty of water from which you could fill up tanks. There is some space available in a garage for machine storage. We have a walk-in cold storage with some extra space you could use. The surrounding community is a vibrant place full of artists, farmers, and people supportive of local agriculture. There is a thriving farmers' market in the village of Wakefield, 10 minutes away, where we sell. The city of Ottawa/Gatineau, with a population of 1 million, is 30 minutes away. We also have a farmstand at the farm, and are open to partnerships to sell your products there. The land and infrastructure seems well suited to animal agriculture, but we are open to whatever products you are passionate about. We are not certified organic, but we follow organic principles, and would want our tenant/partner to do the same. We are especially interested to hear from farmers who might complement the agri-tourism plans that we have in mind. We would describe ourselves as strong communicators with a passion for the land and community and are seeking people with similarly collaborative mindsets and ways of being. We are looking for, initially, a one year lease; after that first year, if the partnership seems good, we would like to lease for a longer term. If interested, get in touch at lefarmteam@fermeetforet.ca