Permaculture Lifestyle/Stewardship

Cobden, Ontario, Canada

2-5 acres

About

Message
  • Opportunity available:
  • Mentoring
  • Internship
  • Available facilities and equipment:
  • Irrigation capacity
  • Greenhouse
  • Fencing
  • Other
  • Preferred arrangement model:
  • MOU
  • Available acreage:
  • 2-5 acres
  • 1 acre or less
  • Soil type on farm:
  • Clay
  • Sand
  • Clay loam
  • Sandy loam
  • Other soil type
  • Current farming practices:
  • Biodynamic
  • Other_P
  • Ecological production, but not certified
  • Current land use:
  • Livestock
  • Vegetables
  • Fruit/berries/grapes
  • Preferred farming experience for farmer:
  • Grew up on a farm in Canada
  • Grew up on a farm outside of Canada
  • Studied agriculture at a post-secondary institution
  • Desired farming practices by a new farmer:
  • Biodynamic
  • Ecological production but not certified
  • Agricultural products I am interested being cultivated on my property:
  • Flowers
  • Fruit/berries/grapes
  • Herbs
  • Seeds, seedlings or nursery stock
  • Vegetables
  • Years experience of new farmer:
  • Less than 1 year
  • About 1 year
  • 1-2 years
  • 3-5 years

Farm description

Located in Renfrew County, Ont. Established 27 year old homestead on 32.5 acres, with a barn, outbuildings, and infrastructure. Varied terrain and elevation, 10 acres cleared with free-range grazing, 15 acres woodlot with maple grove, 7.5 acres ponds and creeks. This Permaculture focused Homestead is dedicated to ethical/sustainable agriculture practices. Self-sufficient(+) in animal, and food production systems; goat dairy (milk, yogourt, and cheese production), duel purpose poultry, meat, veg, fruit, grapes, organic wine and hard cider production, sugar bush, and the potential for an apiary (honey bees). We also keep 1 horse and 1 mini, with 2 guardian dogs on duty. We are 1 resident Certified Permaculture Design Course (PDC)/practitioner, and 2 non resident Affiliate PDC/practitioner, who have established livestock and food production systems. We continue to implement design features; with the completion of an outdoor summer kitchen equipped with rocket stoves and oven, and a seasonal greenhouse. Our future plans include a geothermal greenhouse, Aquaculture, and wild rice production.

Farm opportunity

We are looking for up to 2 additional persons to join us in furthering sustainable Permaculture systems/practices/ethics. We have shared and individual projects. There is approximately a 2 acre space available for your personal project/money stream, with the potential of smaller pocket areas on the property. You would have access to our shared on site resources/inputs in exchange for your elbow grease investment in the shared management of those same resources. This Homestead is not a commercial venture, having said that, modest revenue streams are available for development with 3 local Farmers Markets, + gate sales. As the majority of inputs are found on the property, the overhead is low, so you can live well on much less $ depending on your habits and "Creature Comforts". This is not a Commune, but living in Community, therefor mutual respect is essential. We value quality of life vs profit margins. It is a lifestyle of living and thriving within the rhythms of Nature, as well as the discovery of your needs vs your wants. The region offers Whitewater rafting, hiking trails, canoeing, hunting and fishing if you so wish. You could be a fit if you are/have: • A basic understanding and interest in Permaculture, ethical and sustainable agriculture practices. • A familiarity and/or experience with general routines of farm life in a mixed operation. • Are motivated to be a partner in terms of bringing vision, a plan and commitment to the opportunity to further develop together. • Are hardworking, willing to learn, and physically fit to farm. • Have a love and respect of nature, community, and a confident communicator. • Are reliable, honest and eager to dive in with both feet. • Provide References. If interested, send us a message with a little bit about yourself, your skill set, and why our opportunity appeals to you. Serious inquiries only would be greatly appreciated. Willing to mentor, intern, and the possibility of a long term; cooperative agreement/(MOU), and/or Land Stewardship agreement to the right person(s).