​Project Overview
Metanoia’s Farm Development Project, which began in Spring 2022, is an active, reparative response to climate change, an answer to our communities’ desire to learn, and a carrying-forward of the big, beautiful urban-farm dream that began the farm in 2010. In 2022, the first stage of our project focused on the construction of a small barn that offers much-needed storage space and functions as a washing station for our vegetables. Now, we are excited to begin implementing permaculture-inspired practices.
​Your donation will directly fund soil regeneration, systems for water resilience, cultivation of native plant species and support of pollinator habitats, and educational workshops and workdays for the public to learn alongside us. 

​2022-2023: Washing Station
In our 2022 season, we began the construction of a washing station. For years, we have longed for a more efficient and designated building to wash vegetables. Thanks to great volunteer labour, donated material, and expert advise, the building structure (officially named "lil' Barny"), has been completed. 

In fall 2023, we will complete the buildings interior, installing sinks, a washing table, and counter space to weight and package vegetables. In addition to collecting rainfall off of the building's roof, the building's plumbing will enable collection of the water used in vegetable washing. This water will then be filtered and circulated through the farm to water our crops. This washing station is part of the process of increasing both the efficiency and sustainability of our work. 

​2023-ongoing: Permaculture Design

We have hired a permaculture consultant, Heather Unger from Northern Grove Tree Service, to create a design and plan for us to shift our practices from low environmental impact to active environmental repair. 

The core tenant of permaculture is a commitment to working with, rather than against, nature to grow the food we need to survive. To work towards this commitment, we are planning to shift our farming practices in the following ways:
  • regenerate our soil health and trap carbon by transitioning to no-till farming practices
  • build a water collection and management system to increase our resilience in the face of increasing droughts and extreme weather events
  • plant native species designed to support vulnerable pollinators
  • implement both innovative and traditional vegetable-growing practices that do the work of moisture retention, weed suppression, input reduction, and pest detraction
A great description of permaculture can be found here.
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​We know that permaculture is founded on Indigenous agriculture practices and we seek to honour and learn from these histories and ongoing practices in our work. ​

​2023: Permaculture Workshops
During the upcoming 2023 season, we will be partnering with A Rocha (check out the amazing work they do here!) to offer permaculture workshops on the farm!

Part of the larger vision of our project is to evolve the farm as a exemplar of sustainable urban food production within Winnipeg. These workshops will offer constructive, hands-on lessons that will demonstrate how the practices implemented on our land can be transferred into Winnipeg backyards and community gardens!

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