We believe that everyone should have access to fresh, healthy food, no matter their life circumstances.
We are a 0.5 acre community farm in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Based on a shared vision of a more just and sustainable food system in Niagara, our cause is being graciously hosted by Wine Country Farms on their farmland. Our purposes are as follows:
1) To relieve food and financial insecurity by growing and distributing high quality food at no cost to individuals in need on a not-for-profit basis.
2) To facilitate participation in and education about sustainable agricultural systems through civic engagement with the local community.
3) To manage the agricultural land using ecological farming techniques that maximize benefits to local biodiversity, soil, and watershed health.
Our Directors
Patrick Burgess
Patrick holds B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Guelph. His principal research interest was focused on sustainable agricultural practices and habitat restoration. He currently works as a gardener for a winery and has worked extensively in emergency veterinary medicine. He has volunteered preparing meals at homeless shelters in both Guelph and St. Catharines and passionately believes in providing equal access to healthy foods. Patrick will spend the majority of his time working directly on the farm. His favorite crop to grow is snow peas!
Chair, Director
Ellen Scott
Ellen holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in Art History from the University of Guelph and a B.Ed. degree from Brock University. She has a long history working with children, particularly children from under-resourced communities, both in her work as a teacher and through her many roles working at summer camps. Ellen cares deeply about our community here in Niagara and will be working hands-on with the farm in her summers. Her favorite crop to grow is garlic!
Director
DirectorSophia Stoltz
Sophia holds B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Guelph. Her central focus has been on the restoration of the functionally extinct American Chestnut (Castanea dentata). She has deep botanical and scientific expertise and a longstanding interest in sustainable agriculture. She is highly effective at networking and organizing information and we are happy to have her lend her talents to our work at the farm. Her favorite crop to grow is pie pumpkins!