Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Intentional Community Farms, Co-operative Farms or Mult-Family Farming Anyone?

Hello!

I am new to this forum but I was wondering if anyone on here knew about or was interested in discussing the idea of cooperative farming.  I currently live in Toronto but would like to move to a farm setting within 45 minutes of Toronto.  My partner and I would like to raise a family in a rural setting, preferably in some type of communal or shared setting.  This could be as simple as renting or buying a house on an existing farm and helping with some aspects of operations to establishing a cooperative farm with other families with a similar vision.

 

I grew up on a cooperative colony farm so I do have some experience and understanding of what is involved there.  Unfortunately I still do need to earn a living in the city so proximity is of great importance to me. 

 

Anyone interested in discussing?

 

Cheers

Views: 1650

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Parry Long on July 13, 2010 at 2:03am
That's a good idea. I have an academic background in agriculture and am interested in your plan. Wish to learn more about the plan and know more people related to farming.
Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on July 14, 2010 at 2:07am
Interesting concepts...not something complete foreign to agriculture...we have a tradition of cooperatives...just not as common on the farm...

I have only heard about a couple of cooperative models for farming...the Hutterites colonies in Western Canada and US have grown over the years and of course the Israeli Kibbutz system...wondering if anyone else has some examples that work...

Joe
Permalink Reply by Ekandi on July 14, 2010 at 2:22am
The amish and old order mennonites have participated in varying degrees of collective farming as have the Bruderhof and several other religious groups. Seeing as religion and common cultural heritage are strong glues that held those communities together I think an alternative concept would be doing something more similar to a "condominium" structure where there is common shared space (the farm) and privately owned space with service fees (the houses)
It would make a lot of sense in terms of sharing the investment, risk and capital expenditures that farming involves. It would also not necessarily have to financially sustain all the members but could be seen as a collective hobby farming community..? I think it would be a cost effective, environmentally friendly and exciting way to build relationships, have a safe and green place to raise kids and as well as a farming opportunity.

OntAG Admin said:
Interesting concepts...not something complete foreign to agriculture...we have a tradition of cooperatives...just not as common on the farm...

I have only heard about a couple of cooperative models for farming...the Hutterites colonies in Western Canada and US have grown over the years and of course the Israeli Kibbutz system...wondering if anyone else has some examples that work...

Joe
Permalink Reply by Parry Long on July 14, 2010 at 2:32am
It looks like that we should build the system firstly, then we can practise.

Ekandi said:
The amish and old order mennonites have participated in varying degrees of collective farming as have the Bruderhof and several other religious groups. Seeing as religion and common cultural heritage are strong glues that held those communities together I think an alternative concept would be doing something more similar to a "condominium" structure where there is common shared space (the farm) and privately owned space with service fees (the houses)
It would make a lot of sense in terms of sharing the investment, risk and capital expenditures that farming involves. It would also not necessarily have to financially sustain all the members but could be seen as a collective hobby farming community..? I think it would be a cost effective, environmentally friendly and exciting way to build relationships, have a safe and green place to raise kids and as well as a farming opportunity.

OntAG Admin said:
Interesting concepts...not something complete foreign to agriculture...we have a tradition of cooperatives...just not as common on the farm...

I have only heard about a couple of cooperative models for farming...the Hutterites colonies in Western Canada and US have grown over the years and of course the Israeli Kibbutz system...wondering if anyone else has some examples that work...

Joe
Permalink Reply by Ekandi on July 14, 2010 at 2:44am
Actually legal framework, social guidelines and construction suggestions for this type of living arrangement are quite extensively available. The "project model" originated in Denmark and Sweden in the 60s and can currently be found in communities throughout North America. There are many particularly in BC. For some reason there don't seem to be many here in Ontario, at least not near Toronto. Not all of these groups are farming communities but most incorporate some element of farm life and rural culture. There are many websites out there but this one I found just now seems to give a brief overview of some of the basic concepts. http://www.pcdf.org/meadows/cohousing.htm

The biggest challenges are:
1.finding a group of people with similar interests that are ready to put time, effort and money into starting a project like this
2.finding suitable land at a reasonable cost that can be rezoned to support multi-units and common facilities.

Ideally I was looking for a group that already had something like this underway but if that is not the case I would be happy to lead some discussions around the possibilities. Maybe someone has an existing farm that could accomodate a few more houses and could use additional investments and free labor! :)
Permalink Reply by Colin Lundy on July 19, 2010 at 3:35am
There are a handful of cooperative farms in Ontario that incorporate worker and housing coops. Some have been around a long time, some just getting started, most being very low profile. A good place to start for you would be the Whole Village not far out of Toronto
www.wholevillage.org/
Permalink Reply by Ekandi on July 19, 2010 at 3:42am
Do you have any other examples or names besides Whole Village? I went and visited them and I think its more of a retirement community for a small handful of people. They seem like awesome people but I am hoping for a more family-based environment.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Why Getting Your Acres Counted Could Put More Money in Your Pocket

Alberta Grains and Fertilizer Canada have launched Make Your Acres Count!, a campaign aimed at getting more Alberta farmers to register acres under the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework. The initiative encourages producers to work with a 4R Designated Agronomist to develop nutrient management plans that improve fertilizer efficiency, crop productivity and environmental stewardship. More than 2.15 million acres in Alberta were self-reported under 4R in 2024. The campaign’s goal is to nearly double that by the end of the 2025 crop year. “This campaign is about celebrating what Alberta farmers are already doing right and giving them a practical path to build on that success,” said Scott Jespersen, Alberta Grains chair and a farmer near Spruce Grove. “By getting your acres counted, you are demonstrating to governments and markets alike that we farm responsibly and with care for the land, while also improving the bottom line.” The 4R framework is based on applying the right source of nu

US Farmer Sentiment Down in August

US farmer sentiment slipped again in August, dragged down by souring expectations about the future. The latest monthly Purdue University–CME Group Ag Economy Barometer – released Tuesday – came in at 125 points, down 10 points from July. The barometer is based on a survey of 400 producers across the country. The August survey noted a marked disparity in optimism between livestock and crop producers, with the crop sector struggling mightily amid continued low prices. On the other hand, beef cattle operations especially are experiencing record profitability as the smallest cattle inventory since 1951 has pushed cattle prices to record levels. On the crop side, the barometer uncovered increasingly dire financial circumstances. Every January, the barometer survey includes questions on farm operating loans, but given rising concerns about farm income in 2025, the same questions were added to the August survey. The results underscored farmers’ financial stress. Twenty-two percent of

US Spring Wheat Harvest Nears Three-Quarters Finished

The US spring wheat harvest is approaching the three-quarter pole, slightly ahead of the average pace. According to Monday’s USDA crop progress report, 72% of the national spring wheat crop was in the bin as of Sunday. That is up from 53% a week earlier and ahead of both last year and the five-year average at 67% and 71%, respectively. In the largest production state of North Dakota, the harvest advanced 22 points from a week earlier to reach 62% complete as of Sunday, 4 points ahead of last year and 1 point ahead of the state average. The Minnesota harvest gained 16 points to 89% complete, compared to 72% last year and 76% on average, while Montana climbed 15 points to 73% done, behind 74% last year and 79% on average. At 91% complete, the South Dakota harvest advanced 7 points from a week earlier but was still behind 92% last year and 95% on average.

Alberta Boosts Loan Program to Support Beef Industry

The Alberta government is stepping up support for its livestock producers by raising the cap on the Feeder Associations Loan Guarantee Program to $225 million from the current $150 million. Announced last week, the move comes as international demand for Alberta’s beef continues to climb, pushing prices higher and creating greater financing needs for producers. The loan program provides government-backed, low-interest financing through 45 locally run feeder associations, enabling farmers to buy cattle and sheep and expand their operations. Since its creation in 1936, the program has issued more than $12 billion in loans and now finances between 17 and 24 % of Alberta’s calf crop each year. Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson said the increase will help ensure Alberta remains competitive in global markets. “Increasing the limit will ensure thousands of producers have access to the capital they need to keep producing Alberta’s world-renowned beef,” he said in a statement. “With

Keeping farmers’ voices heard in tariff and trade challenges

By Drew Spoelstra, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service