Our History
A little bit about us…
Whole Village began as a dream to create a community on a biodynamic inspired farm near a Waldorf school in Thornhill – a place to be more rooted in nature based on the writings of Rudolf Steiner. Members met for many years planning a vision and guiding principles then looking for suitable land. After some difficulty finding farmland close to the Waldorf School a minority of the group members pursued the purchase of 191 acres in Caledon. Although the make up of the group changed, the vision was carried forward. The Karal (Bradley) farm in northeast Peel region was purchased by eight families in 2002 while negotiations continued for housing that would fit the bylaws and combine many green technologies. Whole Village King Ltd eventually became Whole Village Property Co-operative Inc.
Retired teachers, artists, an architect, a farmer, and other professionals met together using the consensus model, read appropriate literature, studied and visited other ecovillages, and developed plans for a “single family” dwelling. In spite of many meetings with neighbours and municipal planners, the building permit process took two years and had to be settled by a provincial court ruling. Greenhaven, our name for the 15,000 sq. ft. house for 11 families, is a legal precedent that may help others reduce their footprint by sharing common space while living in private quarters all in one home.
During the planning and building process members and volunteers cleaned out buildings, erected composting toilets and solar showers, planted trees, started gardens, and raised chickens. A CSA project was begun to make use of the fertile soil and create opportunities for new farmers. A conservation easement held by the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy was written and attached to the deed, guiding sustainable uses of the farm for 999 years. Credit Valley Conservation was engaged to create a conservation plan and create an inventory of plants and animals found on the property. Brad Petersen of Guelph helped develop a Permaculture Plan for the property.
In 2006, after two years of construction, community members were ready to move out of their trailers, tiny farmhouse rooms, and off property homes into Greenhaven. Many finishing construction projects continued in the house while the members began the next phase of community building. Living together involved creating agreed upon policies, schedules and protocols. Community dynamics readings and exercises helped in learning clear communication and conflict resolution. Other mandate groups (Legal/Financial, Farm/Land Stewardship, Communications/Education) continued to operate to lead the community forward. As in most communities there have been experiences of births, deaths, conflicts, friendships, and heartaches as well as constant changes in membership. All of it in the hopes and aspirations that working together, both with nature and each other, on a purposeful and intentional level, is the work that is needed and makes us whole.
Our Farm
Our 191-acre farm features a hardwood forest (14 acres), a provincially significant wetland (27 acres), pasture land, and fertile crop land. Our soil is mostly sandy loam with hills of sand and gravel that are part of the Orangeville moraine. This diverse, beautiful property is also protected by a conservation easement with the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy. Credit Valley Conservation has documented the natural life and created a conservation plan. Their assistance and the help from the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association have been instrumental in developing the farm in an ecological manner. We also have an Environmental Farm Plan which guides our improvements in a way that protects the land and its features.
The main access to the farm is from Shaws Creek Road on the west. A farm lane continues to Mississauga Road on the east. This area in the northwestern corner of Peel Region is the headwaters for four rivers – the Humber, Credit, Nottawasaga and Grand. Shaws Creek, which flows into the Credit River, runs along the southern edge of the property. Wildlife observed to date include wild turkeys, white tailed deer, coyotes, a wide variety of birds, snapping turtles and salamanders.
Our two houses, barn, and sheds are located in the centre of the farm. A large dug pond south of the century-old farmhouse provides irrigation for our agricultural activities and recreation. A 78-foot drilled well services the farmhouse, two greenhouses and gardens while the 98-foot well, drilled in 2005, feeds into the community house, Greenhaven. Both wells provide clean, safe, drinking water.
Before 1965 this was a mixed farm, cash cropping small grains and potatoes and raising cattle, hogs and poultry. During the next 37 years a family from Toronto used the farm as a retreat, renting land to local farmers for pasturing beef cattle. Since purchasing the farm in 2002 we have used organic practices. We market directly to customers and to the local farmer’s markets. Neighbouring properties consist of natural areas, hay fields, pasture and cropland. Local farmers have been instrumental in our farm development by consulting, loaning equipment, contracting to bale hay and straw, combining grain and cultivating fields.
Over 25,000 trees and shrubs have been planted to provide windbreaks, shelterbelts and wildlife corridors throughout the property. Buffers for the wetland forest have been created as well as a new, mixed forest that extends the maple bush. Tree corridors are beginning to bring relief from prevailing westerly winds and create microclimates for specialty crops. Our commitment to replacing much of the tree canopy is one way of restoring the integrity of the land and introducing agro-forestry to the area.
Experiments with a variety of fruit have resulted in two small orchards of apples, pears, cherries, and peaches growing in sheltered areas. We have grown strawberries and bush fruit like currants, raspberries, haskaps as well as grapes. Two edible forest gardens have been developed to grow fruit and nuts. Native trees and plants are the priority as we try to find which varieties grow best here. Members also grow herbs, dry beans, rhubarb, asparagus and heritage tomatoes. Ongoing experiments with fruit, vegetables and grains help us plan for future needs.
Poultry have been a mainstay at the village since 2004. Villagers manage a flock of chickens and ducks for eggs, meat and manure. Mixed grains are grown every two years to provide for poultry feed and bedding. New, young chicks are introduced to the flock every spring. The chicken coop is in part of the barn with a large barnyard and pasture for foraging in the warm months. Some chickens help fertilize the orchard as they are moved through in a “chicken tractor.”
The sugar bush has been tapped for many years. A community co-op is currently using plastic lines to collect the sap using gravity. A neighbour evaporates the sap into syrup and shares the results with the co-op. Another co-operative activity is caring for rare breed Kerry cattle. These cattle are dual purpose, providing soil fertility, milk for residents, and possibly meat in the future as the herd increases. In addition to these we also have Red Poll cattle. The most recent co-op is the apiary which currently has 19 hives.
Young farmers are provided with an opportunity to practice organic agriculture and management skills here as an incubator project. Their CSA and market garden provide members and the local community with food while we support them with fair rents, infrastructure and community support. This exchange benefits both groups and has resulted in ten different young farmers honing skills while deciding whether a career in farming is a fit for them.
CSA stands for community shared agriculture – a way of bringing eaters and growers together. After buying shares in the garden harvest, subscribers receive a basket of fresh, organic produce for 18-22 weeks. CSA members get to know their farmers and their growing practices and can participate in farm activities if desired. Farmers receive income early enough to buy seeds, materials, and tools without having to negotiate a loan. Members share the risk of the growing season with the farmers.
Stewardship is very important in the development of the project. We are recreating some of the ecosystems of the past to encourage beneficial insects, birds, amphibians and mammals to live in harmony with us. A woodland care plan ensures the health and sustainability of the wooded areas. The soil is carefully tended and fields are regularly rotated to allow time for regeneration. Every member offers to support one or more stewardship activity, e.g. growing food for the community, forestry, pond care, eco-building.
The community uses the existing buildings to house livestock and machinery and to store hay, straw and grain. There are two 900 square foot greenhouses to start seedlings for the gardens and then to grow heat loving plants all summer. Hardy greens are often grown during the winter with some extra cover. Part of the farmhouse is retrofitted for a root cellar. There are three outdoor composting toilets that serve hikers and workers. Campers enjoy two outdoor solar showers in the summer months.
Residents share resources, including space, tools, vehicles and clothing. We collect and reuse found materials, including lumber, plumbing and electrical, waste wood and chips. Villagers are very grateful to friends who donate furniture, tools, etc. We use low-flush toilets in Greenhaven and collect rainwater from most buildings. Two cisterns hold rainwater collected from the large barn roof for irrigation of crops. We buy food in bulk, eat evening meals together five days per week when possible and share household duties. Ride-sharing is often arranged to reduce our fuel and material use. A current volunteer program to tax our vehicle usage provides money for carbon farming projects.
Villagers have created many perennial gardens to ensure pollination and provide beauty. There are also wild areas of the farm that are infrequently visited and protected in their natural state. Composting of food scraps, plants and manure is important to create on site fertility. The recreational advantages of the farm include swimming, skating, hiking, tobogganing and snowshoeing.
To respond to the challenges of climate change villagers have begun a variety of measures – adding to the tree canopy, cover cropping, using rotational grazing practices, reducing tillage, and experimenting with biochar.
