Sat, Aug 18 2007 - Everdale: Organic Farm & Environmental Learning Centre (View Original Event Details)
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This is the second time the TOC has gone to Everdale, and I daresay it might become an annual pilgrimage!
Everdale, an organic farm in the Caledon area, manages to be both relaxing and fascinating at the same time. It’s a peaceful location where you use outhouses instead of washrooms, but throw a scoop of cedar shavings in the latrine after you’ve used it – just to keep things fresh. The eco-friendly model home tour starts with a 30-minute lecture on the history of the farm, how the house came to be, all the amazing features of the house, etc. but when the tour group finally enters the house, the atmosphere becomes electric. Twice now I’ve seen how people’s faces light up at the comfortable, pleasing interior that appears to be guilt-free! The beautiful cupboards and beams are made of old forest wood recovered from an old barn that was being demolished; the upstairs wood floors are made of bamboo, a renewable resource; the appliances are energy-efficient. There are so many other ways that this house is innovative and environmentally-friendly; you really should go and see it for yourself if you haven’t already.
The farm tour was also very interesting. We learned some new terms, like “green manuring”, heard how the farmers at Everdale rotate their crops, how pigs can be used to till the earth, that the donkey and mule are used to keep predators from the sheep and chickens, etc.
Between the tours, we had time for a quiet picnic lunch, and then Susie, Dorianne, Jacob, Tova, Victor, Jennifer, and Lucy went for a brisk walk around the property. Amir, Pat, and I wandered around the garden for cut flowers (August is the perfect time to go, as there are so many beautiful sunflowers in bloom at this time) and lazed around, while Kim and Melanie specialized in relaxation. Once Melanie overcame her fear that the hammock wasn’t sturdy enough, she seemed to thoroughly enjoy occupying it!
When the farm tour was over, we had an informal tour of the store for fresh organic produce. We left with many delicious and healthful things.
We will definitely have to go there again next August.
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