The Farm
Homage to the land that holds us
and feeds us.
The place that roots us.
Everything we do and offer is born from our relationship with a place filled with the stories of the rocks, trees, the coyote, fox, deer, bear, the rabbits, raccoons, snakes and frogs (the spring chorus, oh!), the ravens, blue jays, crows, dragon flies, the giant Oak tree, the maples, cedars, dancing aspen and more.
​
Flying Moon Farm is situated among a large 700+ acre, largely untouched forest and wetland ecosystem. It is rich in biodiversity and yet has some of the most challenging soil - the Ottawa Valley is mostly either rock or sand - and it's not easy land to farm.
An ecology of being.
The farm is located on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe and Wendat Peoples and holds the wisdom and stories of their presence here which reaches back to time immemorial. It also holds the sorrow of historical and ongoing oppression of the land and culture of these original Peoples and their ongoing efforts to enter into Treaty relationship with the Crown and settlers of present-day greater Ottawa.
Endeavouring to nurture a regenerative food system here is ripe with rich ecology and complex challenges.
We came following the call of the horses. We started composting soil as a way to appreciate the 300 pounds or so of horse manure we pick up every single day. Then the sheep came, providing wool and more manure that acts as rich organic fertilizer. We learned about building hugulkultur raised beds using piles of old tin left by the previous owners - we started with five beds, added three more, six more, and now we're up to 30 and counting.
As the horses regrew deep connections to the land, they began to show us their skills as master foragers. Soon wild herbs and plants of all kinds filled their pastures. Our Indigenous friends taught us about harvesting pine and cedar from the forest.
Spending three hours a day (or more if we can) with the land and herd, we're slowly learning to pay attention, watch, listen and take our instructions from the plants, soil and animals. Nothing stays the same - we are all always in motion even as we're rooted like the trees.
_edited.png)