About
- Looking for a farm in:
- Ontario
- Number of years farming:
- 6-10 years
- Farming experience
- I have practical farming experience (worked as a farm intern / employee)
- I have studied agriculture at a post-secondary institution
- I am, or have been, a farm business owner
- I have practical farming experience (including work as a farm intern or employee)
- Agricultural products:
- Vegetables
- Herbs
- Flowers
- Planned marketing strategies:
- Wholesale
- Farmers markets or farm stand
- Restaurant sales
- Other marketing strategies
- Land needed:
- 1 acre or less
- 2-5 acres
- 5-10 acres
- 10-25 acres
- 25-50 acres
- 50 acres or more
- Facilities and equipment:
- Housing
- Irrigation capacity
- Irrigation equipment
- Greenhouse
- Cold storage
- Processing facilities
- Planned farming practices:
- Certified organic
- Ecological production, but not certified
- Biodynamic
Overview
I currently operate Sungold Market Garden on an acre of rented land outside London, Ontario. We grow a variety of vegetable, herbs and flowers. We sell at a farmers’ market, through an online store, and wholesale to restaurants and retailers. We grow in accordance with organic principles with an emphasis on improving the soil. We are looking for a long-term land access to be establish our farm. We are open to any opportunities provided that an adequate market is within a reasonable driving distance (i.e. one hour). I look forward to discussing options and working together to create a more robust, sustainable food culture here in Ontario.
Experience
I have been farming for five years, beginning as a WWOOF-er (England), then as an intern for two seasons on mixed vegetable-livestock operations (Wales UK, Uxbridge ON), and as a farm manager in 2016 (Gananoque ON). I completed the Sustainable Agriculture co-op program at Fleming College (Lindsay ON) in 2015. This more structured education helped to provide a foundation for the skills I wasn't learning out in the field (business planning, financial management, record-keeping, etc.). I started Sungold Organics on 1 acre leased on a 50 acre property in Mount Brydges ON in the spring of 2017. We plan to grow the business incrementally, having established markets in London over the past two seasons. We are actively looking for a property to purchase or lease long-term where we can secure tenancy and reap the benefits of soil improvement and infrastructure investment.
Partner(s)
Farm Vision
Out of necessity we have started small. We operate the garden using a variety of scale-appropriate tools and growing practices that maximize efficiency and yield quality crops. I don't subscribe to one particular school of thought when it comes to growing, but I have found in seeking a balanced relationship with nature and emphasizing soil health generally result in quality crops. I am interested in further exploring no-till systems and facilitating relationships between plants and soil fungi.
Relationship with Farm Owner
I wish to build a relationship of sharing and trust centered on common values. As a young farmer I bring my curiosity and passion along with a desire to create a resilient and thriving business.