First settlers document the Ojibwe speaking Odawa and the Iroquoian speaking Tionontati/Petun peoples. Despite their cultural differences, these peoples likely co-existed on the same land and were generally respectful to each others' considerations, which were codified in wampum (ex. Dish with One Spoon 'Treaties'). Still, the Tionontati were conquered in 1649 during the fur trade wars by the Haudenosaunee, and this area was eventually resettled by the Odawa.
These people extensively practised gardening, forest farming, foraging, and hunting suited to their culture and local ecosystem. These forest farming practices were so harmonious with the land that they were largely invisible to the settlers and that we are now just rediscovering them.
As we were fed by our ancestors and nourished from the land on which we depend on, it is now our responsibility to pay it forward by nurturing the caretakers of the future. Find out whose land and traditional territory your home resides on, and how the pioneers managed to steward this land.

Often fleeing difficult times at home and in their new continent, European peoples initiate a long chain of treaties with the Odawa. This region was ceded in the Lake Simcoe-Nottawasaga Treaty 18 in 1818. The Odawa were further displaced in later treaties to what remains of their traditional territory in present-day Saugeen and Nawash reserves. Reconciliation awaits...

Township surveyed in 1833, property settled 1859, abandoned since house fire in ~1976. Up to 75 acres was grazed at one point with cattle, pigs, chickens, and more. Feral apples hint of bygone orchards. Feral garden perennials such as periwinkle and daffodils still dot the old homestead.

Sea buckthorn perimeter planted (and a colossal failure), local beekeeper re-establishes hives for a few years.
A 1.5 acre field within the 40 acre hay acreage is keyline plowed and the first orchard rows are planted and mulched.

mapping, planning, designing, seedlings planted for reforestation, remaining contour rows planted and mulched.

constructing full-time residence

Playing the slow and steady long game in a diversified farm means engaging more players to build community resilience.
Future project ideas include silvopasture, greenhouse, orchard expansion, value-added, and more.