A Diamond in the Rough
Before you say anything, I realize saying “in the rough” about bespoke farmland on Old Mission Peninsula is a stretch. But the 10.3-acre farm site is actually cut diamond in shape when you look at the survey (and tilt your head left) …and as I’m still in my first year it sure feels kind of rough to me!
Unveiling the potential of farmland is akin to discovering a hidden gem—a raw, uncut treasure waiting to be revealed. At the core of this transformative process lies a strategic blueprint, a thoughtful guide charts the course toward sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. Like a skilled artisan crafting each facet to enhance the brilliance of a gem, this plan shapes every aspect of the farm, turning the vision into a reality that resonates with both the land and the community it serves.
Regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and polyculture represent three distinct yet interconnected strategies for sustainable land management. I plan to incorporate aspects of each strategy as steward of the Lightwell land.
Regenerative agriculture focuses on revitalizing ecosystems, emphasizing practices like cover cropping and rotational grazing to enhance soil health and biodiversity. Its core objective is to restore the health of degraded land, fostering resilient agricultural systems that contribute positively to the environment.
Permaculture, in contrast, is a broader design philosophy that extends beyond agriculture, incorporating principles like stacking functions and maximizing diversity to create holistic, self-sustaining systems. While regenerative agriculture addresses the restoration of land specifically, permaculture seeks to harmonize various aspects of human life with nature, including architecture, energy, and community design.
Polyculture, on the other hand, introduces a different dimension to sustainable farming by emphasizing the cultivation of multiple plant species in a single space. Unlike monoculture, where a single crop dominates, polyculture leverages the complementary relationships between different plants to enhance overall ecosystem health. Polycultural systems often incorporate elements of both regenerative agriculture and permaculture, as they promote diversity, reduce the risk of pests and diseases, and improve soil fertility through varied plant interactions. In essence, while regenerative agriculture focuses on restoring degraded land, permaculture extends its principles to holistic design, and polyculture specifically emphasizes diversification within agricultural systems. Despite their unique approaches, all three strategies share common ground in their commitment to sustainable practices that prioritize environmental health, biodiversity, and long-term resilience.
At Lightwell, I will borrow strategically from all 3 strategies to weave a sustainable design over time. It will not happen overnight, and I believe it’s better that it doesn’t. “Nature never hurries, yet everything is accomplished.” -Lao Tzu
In the realm of permaculture, the farm is integrating diverse plant species and community design through the garden allotment program, creating guilds that mutually benefit each other. The French Lavender field will continue to be rewilded as I propagate a new French field from legacy Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’ plants.
Regenerative agriculture practices, such as implementing cover cropping and minimal tillage are adopted to enhance soil health, foster biodiversity, and contribute to the overall ecological regeneration of the farm. Additionally, embracing polyculture will involve cultivating a variety of companion plants leveraging synergies to improve pest management, enhance nutrient cycling, and maximize the efficient use of available resources. In 2024, Lightwell will partner with the GTA Children’s Garden to design and maintain a garden allotment in a polyculture style, to serve as an outpost for kiddos and grown-ups alike to take part in this important practice.
Lightwell is more than a lavender farm; I am openly charting a trajectory towards a harmonious, self-sustaining agricultural system that aligns with the principles of permaculture, regenerative agriculture, and polyculture.
More to come,
Erin
