Everdale Environmental Learning Centre

Everdale Environmental Learning Centre is a Canadian nonprofit organization established as one of the country's oldest not-for-profit community farms. Located in Hillsburgh, Ontario, it operates as an organic farm and environmental learning centre dedicated to promoting sustainable living practices and food resilience in local communities. It was founded in 1966 and became a federally registered charity in 2000 (Business Registration Number: 861517126RR0001).

Mission and Vision

Everdale's mission focuses on building food resilience by operating a productive community farm, growing food for people in need, and offering educational programs that empower individuals to become ecological and social leaders. The organization seeks to demonstrate the promise of sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and alternative building methods on its 50-acre property.

Activities and Programs

The Farm

Everdale runs a social enterprise farm that primarily produces organic vegetables alongside small flocks of sheep, chickens, and occasional livestock. Since 2000, the farm has produced over 1.8 million kilograms of fresh food. The farm serves as an outdoor classroom and community meeting space. Fresh produce is sold directly to local households and donated to food banks and other organizations supporting those in need.

Educational Initiatives

The centre offers hands-on educational experiences including school tours, workshops, and apprenticeships for all ages, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Specialist staff provide instruction in fields such as straw bale and cob construction, canning and preserving, farming, and organic gardening. The educational programs emphasize repeat visits for students from kindergarten to high school to facilitate graduated learning.

The farm intern program offers aspiring farmers practical and theoretical knowledge about organic farm production and business management, while facilitating connections between new farmers and landowners to help with farmland access.

Community Engagement and Environmental Stewardship

Everdale fosters community health through partnerships and the promotion of land stewardship. Their work addresses pressing issues such as farmland preservation and supports policies encouraging farmland conservation, cooperative ownership, and incentives for longer-term farm leases.

Facilities and Offerings

Everdale manages community spaces such as the Forest Cabin, a rustic one-bedroom farm retreat, and the Farmhouse, a larger facility suitable for workshops, retreats, and large groups. In addition, the organization offers an Edible Landscape program that designs and maintains food production gardens in public spaces.

Impact and Recognition

Recognized as one of Canada’s most established farm-based local food hubs, Everdale serves approximately 300 people through its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Its dual focus on food production and education helps build bridges between rural and urban communities, making it a model for sustainable agricultural learning in Ontario.

Everdale Environmental Learning Centre continues to adapt to community needs, recently announcing a pause in vegetable production for the 2025 season while maintaining its commitment to serving as a community space rich with natural resources for education and gathering purposes.