Together: One Farm, One Ecosystem

From windbreaks to orchard canopy, from understory vegetables to wild creekside habitat, every layer supports the next. The diversity of crops and enterprises is not complexity—it is strength.

This is the ecosystem that feeds our farm.
And it is the ecosystem that feeds you.

Policy Engagement — Our Defensive Moat

Our advocacy work on pesticide regulation and pollinator habitat gives us a voice in framing some of the policy which affects our farm. We take our advocacy work a step further by leading a pilot pollinator habitat restoration project adjacent to our farm, an adopt a road program to avoid herbicide use in our area and serve as a PAC member of the Lanark County ALUS, an NGO which fubnds local farmers for environmental services. We also serve on the municipal agricultural advisory committee which deals with agricultural zoning and invasive species management. Collectively these actions help buffer our farm and other farms in our community from the ravages of urban sprawl and gratuitous pesticide use.

The Poplar Windbreaks — The Protective Overstory

Our poplar windbreaks form the highest structural layer of the farm ecosystem. These tall, fast-growing trees shield the orchard and market garden from harsh winds, reduce soil erosion, and help stabilize the microclimate below. Their presence enhances pollinator activity, protects tender crops, and creates a sheltered environment where every other layer can thrive. They are the farm’s guardians—quiet, steady, and essential.

The Orchard — The Tree Canopy Layer
Apples • Pears • Plums • Hazels

Below the windbreaks sits the orchard canopy. Deep-rooted fruit trees anchor the soil, support beneficial insects, and moderate temperature and humidity within the farm. They provide long-term stability, perennial harvests, and habitat for countless species. Orchard fruit is offered through our farm stand and local markets whenever the season allows.

The Market Garden — The Understory Layer
Vegetables for CSA Shares & Markets

Our vegetables grow in the protected spaces between orchard rows, shrubs, and vines. This multi-layered planting mimics natural ecosystems where diverse species coexist and support each other. The market garden forms the bulk of our CSA vegetable supply, offering steady harvests throughout the growing season.

The Garlic Operation — The Anchor Crop Layer
Culinary Garlic • Seed Garlic

Garlic is one of our most reliable crops—durable, flavourful, and economically significant. Its natural pest resilience and strong root structure make it a stabilizing force within our system. Harvested midsummer, garlic strengthens both the ecological and financial resilience of the farm.

The Nursery — The Regeneration Layer
Fruit Trees • Berry Bushes • Vegetable Seedlings

The nursery is where renewal happens. Young plants—annuals and perennials—are raised in healthy soil and sold to home gardeners and growers. This is our regenerative hub, extending the reach of our ecosystem-based approach into the wider community.

Field Crops — The Open Meadow Layer
Staple Veg • Storage Crops

These sun-demanding crops thrive in the open spaces not shaded by taller trees. They support CSA diversity, contribute significantly to total yield, and operate much like meadow environments in nature—productive, bright, and essential.

Farmers’ Markets — The Migration Pathways
Almonte • Carp

Farmers’ markets function as the movement corridors of our ecosystem. Just as nutrients move across ecological boundaries, our produce travels outward to nourish the community. Markets keep us connected, visible, and in relationship with the people we feed.

Wild Areas & Riparian Habitat — The Ecological Foundation
Pollinator Habitat • Beneficial Insect Zones • Creekside Diversity

The wild portions of the farm—especially along Indian Creek—provide the ecological services that make everything else possible. These areas host pollinators, amphibians, predators, and microbial life that keep pests in balance, enrich the soil, and stabilize the surrounding environment.