Old River Farm, Southwest Middlesex, Thames River watershed

Farm description

Old River Farm is a partnership of Mary Simpson and Ross Snider and one hub in a network of innovation, people, and positive energy working towards a healthy, rejuvenating water cycle of flow waters to the Thames. Our friends, family, and community enjoy the Old River Farm. This land enhances the health of the people who spend time here. Mission: The Old River Farm practices regenerative agriculture Domain The Old River Farm manages 200 acres near the mouth of the Newbiggin Creek. We actively care for the water cycle, soil web, pollinators, and wildlife by practicing agriculture in a way that mimics nature. We care for 90 acres of deep ravines and river flats that are susceptible to erosion and flooding. Vision of the Old River Farm We dream of a world where people have control and access to land where they can grow food, learn, and care for the natural world. The Old River Farm offers a place where we can regenerate agriculture by taking a holistic approach to food production that uses—and creates—social, cultural, economic and environmental knowledge to promote food sovereignty, social justice, economic sustainability, and healthy agricultural ecosystems. This farm has been owned by the descendants of John and Elizabeth Simpson for five generations. Anyone of those generations could have sold the farm but it remains in the family to this day. Looking forward to the next 7 generations, Mary and Ross want this farm to stay local - stewarded by the people who live here.

Farm opportunity

Farm Stewardship leading to Long-term Lease for Old River Farm Call for Expressions of Interest: More info at this link - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WpLN5lxIlQ9pdjjMKnl92MT2xJx0_jIvGkKZjREX6LY/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.2a4fs2da50gy Old River Farm is part of a growing movement to address the critical challenge of keeping farmland in local ownership while supporting the next generation of farmers. Organizations like the National Farmers Union and the Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) are actively working to tackle these issues. The OFT is exploring a land access program aimed at helping young farmers gain access to affordable farmland, a crucial step as more than 40% of Canadian farm operators approach retirement within the next decade. The Call: Old River Farm is seeking a team or individual to join us as farm stewards, helping to care for this land with the next seven generations in mind. As a regenerative and community-focused farm, we aim to ensure that Old River Farm remains in local ownership in perpetuity, serving as a place of healing, education, and sustainable agriculture. About Old River Farm Nestled in a beautiful and ecologically diverse area, Old River Farm is more than just a farm—it’s an “island of sanity” for its community. In total, the Old River Farm is comprised of ~220 acres near the mouth of the NewBiggen Creek/watershed. With nearly 90 acres of river and creek sloped forests, broad-acre permaculture guilds, grazing pastures, and agroforestry, the farm is a living example of conservation and regenerative agriculture. More details here. Our goals include: Farming the soil: Implementing wise soil management practices that build health and biodiversity. Building community: Creating a welcoming space for friends, family, and the local community. Blending conservation and grazing: Protecting wildlife, pollinators, and water systems while maintaining productive agricultural systems. Promoting biodiversity: Eliminating chemical inputs and using crop rotations and permaculture principles. Citizen science: Encouraging learning and collaboration on regenerative farming practices. Opportunity Mary and Ross are looking for a team, couple or perhaps an individual to learn the operations of Old River Farm and begin transitioning into a long-term lease arrangement. This is an opportunity for a farmer-entrepreneur to: Have their own farm without buying land. Learn how the farm works and start by managing what exists. Gain knowledge in sustainable and regenerative practices from the current team. Get involved in the many learning opportunities and farm communities such as Ecological Farmers of Ontario, the Ontario Woodlot Association, and many more Be part of a vision to create a lasting legacy of local ownership, conservation, and agricultural innovation. Who We’re Looking For Mary and Ross are seeking experienced farmers who: Share our values of conservation, regenerative agriculture, and community building. Have strong business skills. Become part of the farm family - people with whom we can develop a deep level of trust, compatibility, and respect. Have a passion for learning and applying innovative and traditional farming methods. Are entrepreneurial, self-motivated, and collaborative as well as healthy and strong. Want to transition the farm seamlessly and smoothly to its next chapter in succession Will invest sweat equity, willingness to learn, and time. Have studied 70 Considerations In a Land Share Agreement Are registered with the FarmLink website. Are willing to learn and work towards the signing of a long-term lease. Dimensions: Must learn how the Old River Farm works as a starting point. This farm is the result of decades of development and management - could require one year to learn how to operate this turn-key operation. Partners must have business skills and be interested in helping develop the Agrarian Commons model in Ontario. An interesting project which means working with the National Farmers Union, The Ontario Farmland Trust, EFAO, and other individuals passionate about new models of land stewardship. Engage with the Old River Farm’s network. Join the organizations that the Old River Farm, Mary and Ross are members of. Have skills in organizational development: governance, community mapping, deep collaboration, non-profit management; community development. Join Mary in her community development work. Help figure out how to create an agrarian commons in this watershed. (In Canadian and Ontario context. ) Become skilled at collaboration. Gain skills: deep listening; feedback loops; share decision-making by consent; double linked teams and circles. Working with our professional team and advisors. How to Apply Submit a short Expression of Interest: verbally, email, or on paper: call Mary to learn more at 519 318 1074 Your vision for farming and community building. Relevant skills, experiences, or initiatives that align with the values of Old River Farm. Your interest in regenerative agriculture or conservation practices. A verbal pitch about how such a transition would work as a business venture. Your vision of how to collaborate with Ross and Mary. Level of commitment. Why you want to do this. We will pick one or two Expressions of Interest and work with those teams towards a detailed business plan and transition. We are not rushing this process. Our goal is to have a long-term lease in place in 2030. For more information, contact Mary and Ross or simpsonma@gmail.com or 519 318 1074 About Mary and Ross In 2025, Ross aims to step cut back daily farm chores. Mary is seeking an administrative assistant to support both the farm's business operations and her broader community work, which benefits the farm and their family. They are turning 70 years old this year and hope to live on the farm for at least another ten years - at least that’s the plan. Amy and Cam Snider, their children, wish to maintain a connection to the farm without becoming involved in daily farming activities. Meanwhile, their grandson Ryan, at 12 years old, enjoys fishing in the farm’s ponds and cherishes his experiences there. Mary and Ross are dedicated to creating a land trust that will keep the farm under local ownership and control, providing opportunities for new farmers to access land at an affordable cost. While challenges lie ahead, they are confident that with the right people, these obstacles can be addressed. Significant progress has already been made toward the land trust model, but more work remains. Currently, they are searching for an experienced tax lawyer specializing in agricultural land trust work. Another issue: there is no housing for a farm family or team. They have started working on that little detail too! Links to Important Documents FarmLINK Log in. List. 70 Considerations In a Land Share Agreement Research: Notes on Community Trusts by Mary 2020 National Farmers Union: land access and tenure.