Farm
Overview
The Yarrow EcoVillage Farm was established in 2003. In 2004 the farm was granted Organic Certification.
If you are interested in organic farming please contact the farm team. (farm null@null yarrowecovillage NULL.ca)
History
The Heinrichs family started the farm in the 1930s. It was a typical Mennonite farm of that era, with the farmhouse on the road and the farm buildings and fields extending beyond. A forty-head dairy farm, it was farmed by George Heinrichs, son of the original owner, until the late 1970s.
We purchased the property in 2002.
In 2003, a small group of eco-village members formed a farming partnership which leases the land from YES. During our first farming season, we cultivated two acres and planted a variety of organically grown vegetables. We applied for and received, Third-year Transitional Organic status. This was possible because the land had been in pasture for many years and had been free of toxic chemicals during that time.
Sustainable Agriculture
One of the key aspects of an ecovillage is sustainability. In simple terms this means trying not to deplete of the earth’s resources through human activity, so that the way of life of future generations will not be diminished. All organic farming avoids the use of chemical additives and non-organic methods. The best organic farming focuses on building soil biodiversity.
Permaculture
We farm using permaculture – permanent agriculture, or permanent
culture – principles. Our approach aims to ensure that the soil and the surrounding ecosystem are enhanced and that natural
cycles are not degraded. To do this we:
- minimize tillage that degrades soil structure
- grow crops for compost which is
- then spread on the beds to build soil organic matter and add nutrients, and
- restore and enhance the surrounding ecosystem
Communities have been farming in place for thousands of years in many parts of the world. However, to be able to achieve permaculture on a farm in North America is a demanding task.
Biointensive
Some of our farmers use a bio intensive mini-farming. John Jeavons of Ecology Action in California developed biointensive methods as a way of achieving sustainability. This approach makes extensive use of raised, well-dug beds, timing of transplants, spacing of plants to create a micro-climate and the growing of carbon and calorie crops. The latter are a source of both biomass (carbon), and nutrients for compost, and food (calories). Examples of carbon and calorie crops include many grains, from which one can
harvest the seed and compost the stalk of the plant.
Ecosystem restoration
The EcoVillage strongly supports our approach and farm team members and interns have helped with varius aspects of ecosystem resoration.
During 2004, the EcoVillage cooperative planted hundreds of native trees and shrubs along the banks of the stream that traverses the property. This streamside planting is part of a multi-year project to restore the riparian ecosystem. The benefit to the farm will be immense. A more diverse and balanced ecosystem with native plants that attract birds and other beneficial predators will support the farm and provide natural controls of pests.
Please feel free to contact the farm team (farm null@null yarrowecovillage NULL.ca) with any questions.