Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainability means living within nature's limits.

Our Green Spaces Give Us Life

Our goal is to promote the awareness and protection of our tree cover and green spaces, our wetlands and waterways and our living soil.

The Agriculture Sector promotes sustainability across a wide range of agriculture initiatives. Using multiple tools such as research, demonstrations, communications and education, seminars, and projects, this sector seeks to engage the community and develop more awareness of where and how to support more sustainable food production and distribution; both in our region and further abroad.

food map

Sustainable Orillia has created a digital food map to help locate our area Farmers’ Markets, Community Gardens and Independent Growers and Ranchers. Zero Waste Markets and Food Banks are also incorporated into the map with links to websites and other social media sites.

regenerative agriculture

Regenerative agriculture enables soil to better sequester carbon and this is vital to mitigating and hopefully reversing the negative effects of climate change.  By greatly reducing or eliminating chemical fertilizers, using low or no tilling practices,  covering the soil with diverse cover crops and rotating ruminants on the land, farmers are able to build healthier soil.  Healthier soil in turn leads to increased crop production, less erosion and more water retention. Regenerative agriculture done properly is both environmentally imperative  and financially beneficial.

 

Wetlands and forests

The importance of wetlands and forests cannot be understated as they are essential for healthy ecosystems and human health. Wetlands are vital  in their ability to protect our water quality, store flood waters and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.   They are also highly effective at storing carbon which helps to moderate climate change.  Forests are also fundamental in storing carbon (in the wood, plant matter and soil) that has been released into the atmosphere.  Afforestation, reforestation and the natural regeneration of forest systems is integral to our ability to cool the planet and sequester massive amounts of carbon.

Important stuff
Books
  • The Botany of Desire (M. Pollen)
  • Growing Under Cover/Gardening Year Round (Nicki Jabbour)
  • The Market Gardener (Jim Fortier)
  • Dirt to Soil (Gabe Brown)
  • The New Farm (Brent Preston & Gillian Flies
  • Regenerative Agriculture (Richard Perkins)
Films & youtube
  • Big Little Farm 
  • Farmer’s Table #1 (Joel Salatin)
  • Regeneration of our Lands (TEDx)
  • Organic Climate Solutions – Keynote Address – (2022 Guelph Organic Conference)
  • Market Gardener Institute 
organizations
  • Canadian Organic Growers (COG)
  • Ecological Famers Association of Ontario (EFAO)
  • Organic Council of Ontario (OCO
COURSES
  • Farm like a Lunatic
  • The Market Gardener Masterclass
  • Start the Right Farm – Our New Short On-Line Training 

We're Focusing On

 
  • Regenerative Agriculture – soil building, water retention and carbon sequestering
  • Local Food – sourcing, sharing and growing 

Sector Co-Chair

Jacob Kearey-Moreland

Join Us

Join Us - group of hands together in circle

Please consider giving either some of your time or a financial donation to Sustainable Orillia. Be part of this critical movement. Your donation directly supports our programs, activities and publications.
Participate and volunteer. We need your help to make a difference.

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