North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program > Participating Mentor Farms
Elm Tree Farm is a small homestead, nestled in the wilds of Eastern Ontario's Canadian Shield. The farm fits the land - our seven hand worked gardens follow the contours of the soil that radiate from ponds, wetlands, and settle between the ridges. We grow a diverse variety of vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries, medicinals and ornamental trees and flowers. We have Ottawa's longest running CSA and sell at our local Sharbot Lake Farmers Market. Our 'Double Dig It', Al Fresco in the Field farm dinner is a highlight and we are expanding our Biodynamic Culinary offerings.
Here at our farm we put a great emphasis on living with the elementals, and creating artistic areas for their inclusion in our farm practices and atmosphere.
Size of farm: 3 acres market garden, 30 acres pasture, 54 acres of wild land
Diversity of produce and livestock: Over 50 varieties of mostly heirloom vegetables. Fruit Trees & Berries/Permaculture ornamental shrubs & small trees, Flowers, Three Horses, Pastured poultry and pigs. Medicinal preparations. We grow all of the herbs used in the biodynamic preparations, and make many of them ourselves.
Apprenticeship details: We are looking for someone who wants to immerse themselves in a small farm biodynamic experience. Someone who can provide solid help in exchange for a massive learning experience. You will be exposed to everything we have going on the farm and must be physically capable. As a fairly secluded farm, interns must be ready to experience a bit of isolation.
In addition to all the skills needed to work with hand tools in our gardens, the start-house and in-field hoop-houses, we offer skills in brushing/chipping, fence building, nursery plants, propagation by hard wood/soft wood cuttings, horse keeping and pastured poultry and pigs using mostly hands-on techniques with lots of one on one teaching. Food preparation and preserving are big with us. Immersion in this aspect of food is as much of our experience as the growing of it.Mentor Farmers: Tom Waller & Allaine Nordin
Address: 1090 Hayes Road, RR4 Arden, Ontario, Canada K0H 1B0
Phone: (613) 335-3361
Email: tom@elmtreefarm.ca
Website: www.elmtreefarm.ca