Shannon

For most of my career, I have worked as a Microbiologist in the Food Safety Sector in Guelph Ontario. It was a very satisfying career but I always new that my talent was growing plants. Farming has always interested me. 7 years ago, I came across a documentary called Back to Eden focusing on the methods employed by Paul Gautschi to rebuild soil through layering with organic material, specifically woodchips. This documentary motivated me to rent 2.5 acres of land on the Edge of Guelph to establish an orchard. I have spent most of my past 5 years moving woodchips in my free time around my trees in the orchard and my plants in the berry garden. The soil has really improved a lot and I am experience some very good fruit production now. I have also built a Geodome greenhouse to grow fig trees and to start seedlings as well as using it to cure garlic and onions in late summer/fall. Last year, I have spent about 4 months helping me field neighbour with their egg laying hens (feeding/collecting eggs/washing/packaging). I would really like to get more into livestock and integrate the benefits of animal manures into a horticultural system. I believe that will help to provide the animals with some free food and the animals improve the soil for the plants. I have been following Joel Salatin recently on how to set-up a profitable homestead. I would be interested in purchasing my own farm in the next 3-5 years ideally in Ontario. I would be interested in a mentorship. I am very hard working and I like to work with other people. If you have anything available, I would love to hear from you. Thank you, Shannon