What brought me to the door of Whole Village?

My wife, Michele, and I share similar values. However, for the purpose of this article, I will focus on my personal journey that led us to this co-operatively structured eco- village.

It all began when I was studying Resource Management in the Agricultural Department at the University of Guelph. My Bachelor of Science degree was heavily focused on land-based courses, which provided me with a solid foundation in the science of ecology. It introduced me to the concept of finite resources and the crucial ecological balance of our planet’s systems, including human interventions.

With this educational background, I embarked on a life journey with a strong emphasis on outdoor activities such as hiking, wilderness tripping, landscaping, and small-scale food cultivation. Trips to the farmers’ market became a cherished routine for our young family. Michele, in particular, excelled in the kitchen, introducing me to the world of herbs, spices, and vegetarian cooking.

One of my initial job experiences after school was in the agri-business sector, specifically in feed and seed. However, commercial practices in this industry leaned heavily towards energy and chemical-intensive agriculture. Given my lack of a farming background and a misalignment of values with what I perceived as an unsustainable approach to food production, I didn’t last long in that job.

Simultaneously, my parents purchased a century-old farm in Prince Edward County, where they ventured into the world of organic market gardening. This marked a significant shift for a family that had spent most of its years in the suburbs. This transformation within my family had a profound impact on my perspective, emphasizing the need for greater self-reliance, including growing our own food, as a part of daily life.

Further changes occurred in my professional life when I transitioned from agri-business into a management role at a not-for-profit food co-op. Little did we know then that this co-op would evolve into one of Canada’s leading distributors of organic and natural foods. As the General Manager, part of my responsibilities included working with the volunteer Board of Directors to develop a Strategic Plan. Through my readings and research, I concluded that genuine societal change occurs at the grassroots level, not within corporate boardrooms or government offices. I actively sought ways to engage with community initiatives designed to promote positive change.

I became involved in the Transition Town movement, originally initiated in Britain. Our Transition Guelph group became Canada’s second officially recognized Transition Town (the first being in Peterborough). This community effort brought together diverse initiatives in collaboration with City Council to address issues related to energy descent and promote a more ecologically friendly community. Within this group, a subset formed to explore the concept of living in an intentional community.

While we did not establish a community at that time, our research led us to explore Whole Village. I was profoundly impressed by Whole Village’s commitment to sound ecological practices, and it was evident that the eco-village and farm lifestyle achieved a lot through a unified community.

Over the past ten years, Michele and I have dedicated ourselves to our own farm in Eastern Ontario. We’ve acquired a wealth of knowledge while operating a small-scale grass-fed beef enterprise and engaging in several other small farm endeavors. Michele has been fully immersed in the day-to-day farm tasks, including running an

internship program and training oxen. Now, we are considering Whole Village as a permanent residence. In fact, I am currently living at Whole Village during the week while continuing my day job in Mississauga. This experience has given me a genuine feel for life within the community, which I am thoroughly enjoying. I appreciate the community’s organization and structure, and their mission, vision, and values statements align seamlessly with Michele’s and my vision for this rapidly changing world.

Whole Village has a well-defined process for potential new residents, and we are in the midst of entering it. I am grateful for this opportunity and eagerly anticipate the next steps in this journey.