Gerrard

The Connelly family are originally from from Scotland. At least Gerrard and Jennifer that is, Emily was born in Canmore Ab and Alexander was born in Calgary and with our youngest (Red) she was also born in Canmore Ab. We have lived conventional city lifestyles until coming to Canada both from Glasgow, Scotland. Coming to Canada had a wondrous effect on us we got into business in the transportation industry (chauffeuring). We built simultaneous projects Highland VIP Group, Flying Scotsman Haulage Services, and Moraine lake Shuttle. Highland was the largest company we built. I was a workaholic and loved my family dearly but in early 2018 I realized this was coming to an fork in the road where my business interest and family interests where starting to go down different paths and one realized I had to make a choice. In november of 2018 I sold my shares in Highland and later sold the other smaller concerns and paid off a large debt of $160k Taking time off with family made me realize albeit we built these companies with exemplary service to clients I realized my family values where more important to me. We saved a marriage by doing the necessary work on ourselves which continues to this day. I now work at Suncor Energy Ltd in Fort McMurray. been here for a 1.7 years. Albeit I am grateful to land a largely profitable job we have been searching for something more family oriented. My wife and I have been reading, watching documentaries learning about the soil food web, about soil health, permaculture and regenerative agriculture. Finding out more about how the industrial food systems operate and how we can align along with our values a healthier more intune with nature practices. We have started a small family business called Highland Micros LTD. In order to get stuck into growing microgreens, we have also applied some of the learnings of permaculture design in our very limited garden space at our home with amazing results. growing our own sprouts and microgreens in abundance has force us into a position to monetize the operations because of the abundance and this is slowly gaining steam here in FortMcMurray as people who are not around in rural environments are watching the same documentaries we are and paying more attention to what they are eating. What is it we are after or looking to accomplish? we currently spend $30k a year on rent alone....we spend additional income to live and work here as we support the local business community however we would like to spend those dollars in our own land or managed land until we are able to find,buy our own. we want to buy land in the long term no more than 5 years from now, most likely 3 years. we are interested in building relationships with fellow farming families to work together to secure our food systems for our family and network first, like shared processing, meat, vegetables, rent of equipment, experience and time. We also are looking to create a safe environment (sanctuary) for our children. Instilling the values of our Anglo/Canadian values. We love this country so much we have been here for 13 years now and it has given us plenty of experiences and three lovely children. we want to specifically put down living roots on the soil here and farm in an ecological fashion to preserve the vibrancy of nature and use regenerative styles and permaculture designs to restore the land to an ecological abundant paradise. We have seen first hand these practices and changes made on farms like the Coen farm and the abundance create has been incredible. This is achievable and it's not without hard work, grit, ingenuity and leaning on our support network to help each other out. we have experienced levels of hardship but we know those storms always pass and to get back up dust ourselves off and try again. Our Current influences in these areas are the following. Joel Salatin - Polyfacefarm Sow the land Justin Rhodes Rob & Michelle Avis Gabe Brown - Browns Farm Takota Coen - Coen Farm AB Curtis Stone - Urban Farmer Allan Savoury Verge Permaculture Books; The Dirt Cure Microgreens The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs a Revolution down on the farm Growing Revolution Cows Save the Planet The Urban Famrer Your Successful Farm Business You Can Farm The Lean Farm Dirt to Soil Kiss the ground The biggest Little Farm Seaspiracy (Update - We have moved the family to Wetaskiwin Alberta, building relationships within the community and also renting some land from a friend of ours on a small acreage. We are co-oping with cows, pigs and have our own turkeys and broilers.

Experience

We have built multiple small companies the largest and most successful was Highland VIP Group a chauffeur company started in Canmore Ab and grew to a multi million dollar business based in both Canmore & Calgary AB. (Update - We have moved the family to Wetaskiwin AB, to continue following our dreams with renting some land off a friend in a small acreage to raise, a couple of cows, pigs, turkeys and chickens.

Partner(s)

Farming with Jennifer my wife and three children.

Farm Vision

The farm will eventually and arguably represents Canada's premier non-industrial food production oasis. Believing that the Creator’s design is still the best pattern for the biological world, the Connelly family invites like-minded folks to join in the farm’s mission: to develop emotionally, economically, environmentally enhancing agricultural enterprises and facilitate their duplication throughout the world.

Relationship with Farm Owner

Developing relationships within the community, carrying the torch of what the farmer has accomplished in their life time and have the work ethic, determination and emotional intelligence to stand of the shoulders of giants and continue to connect with the earth through holistic management and animal husbandry.