Author: niffer

It seems like only a couple of weeks ago that we were at the Guelph Organic Conference doesn't it? The weird weather here that has taken us from mid-winter to late spring in the matter of days has completely discombobulated everyone here. The birds are singing, the fennel is coming up (yup!) and I already feel behind. I have to keep reminding myself it is only mid-march, not mid-may.

Things have shifted slightly here over the winter. Tim and I have moved our eggs around to make sure we don't have them all in one basket. You see, I have just finished up farm business planning course called  Farmers Growing Farmers through Everdale. For the last few months I have been busily taking stock of everything that we do here at All Sorts Acre. Looking at what is working, what isn't, what I like, what Tim likes, and how all of this fits into the life we want to lead. We are creating the permaculture lifestyle we want, and the first step is having a good plan. Well, we think it's a good plan (subject to change without notice).

To anyone out there who wants to start farming in any capacity, I highly recommend you do this kind of inventory and exercise. It has helped us immensly to define what we are as a farm. It has been a freeing experience. One of the best things is being able to see all the reasons WHY we can't do everything.

So this season we are starting down a slightly curved path from where we were last year. It will be exciting for both Tim and I to see how all of this plays out. In many ways we are even more excited about what we are doing than we were last year, and that can't be a bad thing.

Thanks to all of those that came to say hi at the Guelph Organic Conference. What a treat it was to show off our drum carder, not to mention all the people that shared their stories, and tried their hand at carding wool, and learning about needle felting!

We made some great connections and met some fascinating people. It was such a great time!

More details about our courses and felting kits will be sent out soon. Stay tuned!

We have been incredibly busy here getting ready for the one main social event on our yearly calendar. It is the time for the Guelph Organic Conference.

We have been busily being gathering supplies and information for our table at the GOC. After a few years of observation and exploration both Tim and I seem to have found our niches. We are really refining both our  role and our little farm this year. Here are a few of the exciting thing we have planned for this year!

Handmade hat and scarf by Jennifer.

Lots of felted WOOL!: Jennifer is creating beautiful, unique wool items to both make and buy!

Edible Landscaping & Permaculture Design: We can help you have your own edible landscape!

Traditional Lawn Mowing: Our friendly sheep can now mow your lawn too!

Workshops and courses: Our Backyard Chicken course is returning, but we also have some new ones too!

Begin your own Food Forest: Find out how easy it can be to bring permaculture into your life with a $100 Food Forest!

We are sharing our table with Alexis of Earth Tracks. Alexis specializes in primitive skills such as tracking and fire making, is a wild plant specialist, and does educational and guided trips into wild places.

Come and visit both of us at the 2012 Guelph Organic Conference!