Meaford Mayor Francis Richardson took some time on Friday after his weekly 'Coffee With The Mayor' to stop in for a visit to Heron Croft Farm in Annan where a new passive solar building is being constructed that is designed to host training courses in sustainable agriculture.
Doug Miller, owner of the farm told The Independent that he expects the building to be completed and officially opened in May.
“The building's video conferencing facility will enable local farmers to take advantage of training workshops provided by Everdale Farm and the University of Guelph,” said Miller.
Back in August Miller informed the municipality and council of his project. He pointed out that one of the opportunities for growth in agriculture is in the local food movement, as well as in the expansion of organic farming practices.
“Market research shows that the “buy local” movement continues to increase through the recession and the choice of “natural” food is well established in a sizeable segment of the population,” said Miller in a letter to council and staff, “Not only do these changes in consumer preferences keep more money in the local economy, they support the production of more value-added crops that in turn improve the attractiveness and rewards of farming as a livelihood.”
The new building will incorporate many innovative features that all have been proven in other installations in Ontario. These features will include passive solar heating, Durisol block walls, thermal storage, solar hot water system, composting toilet, grey water treatment garden, and healthy building materials.
The end result will be a building that is reflective of what is possible when considering sustainable construction and low impact living.
Miller hopes that their farm will become a demonstration site for sustainable agriculture and sustainable living in order to support the local food movement in Grey Country that will develop and disseminate organic methods of production, demonstrate low-energy buildings and systems, and educate and inspire a new generation of farmers and rural residents.
