According to the farm’s mission statement, Albion Hills Community Farm, a project of the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, is “a not-for-profit organization which advances the understanding of local food and sustainable agricultural practices through farming, education, conservation and community partnerships.” It was incorporated in 2010 as a charitable, non-profit organization.
Although the farm is not certified organic, it uses regenerative agricultural farming practices with the aim to have a net positive environmental footprint. Besides running as a CSA, education is a large part of its mandate. The Toronto District Board of Education’s Outdoor Education program , as well as local programs such as From Dirt to Delicious, a children’s summer club running out of Palgrave, regularly access the farm. While still in the implimentation stages, there are great aspirations at the farm all with a Drawdown net effect. The following information from the AHCF’s website spells out it’s vision:
Centre for Sustainable Near-Urban Agriculture
Our vision is to build a Centre for Sustainable Near-Urban Agriculture at the Albion Hills Community Farm which showcases innovative green technology and incorporates sustainable design and sustainable energy.
- Water Harvesting of Rain (Barn Roof)
- Solar Panel Feasibility Study (Barn Roof or sloped field)
- Greenhouse (Passive Solar and wood heat – local forest)
- Compost toilet project
- Irrigation design with “Oak Ridges Moraine” demonstration
- Small turbine “wind” demonstration model
- Root Cellar
- Produce Washing Station
- Refrigerator “Trailer” – Solar Power
- Displays – Sustainable Agriculture & Albion Hills Agriculture
Sustainable Nature of the Albion Hills Community Farm:
The Albion Hills Community Farm has many SUSTAINABLE practices including:
- using sustainable and responsible agricultural practices
- using crop rotation
- raising laying chickens for pest management and soil fertility, as well as eggs
- using regenerative practices to maximize the health of the land
- offering a selection of foods from other local farmers
- offering CSA membership options
Drawdown Solution Tie- In:
#67 Farmland Irrigation;
#60 Composting;
#16 Conservation Agriculture;
#65 Nutrient Management;
#11 Regenerative Agriculture;
#4 Promoting a Plant-Rich Diet
For descriptions of each solution go to: http://www.drawdown.org/solutions
