Fiddlehead Care Farm

Sharing Recipient Stories

2022 Dufferin County Community Grant Recipient
$4,850

Sharing our grant story

With the generous assistance from the Dufferin County Community Grant, Fiddlehead Care Farm was able to offer a land-based education component to this year’s programming. Children, youth, and young adults visiting the farm were able to learn from the land and form a connection to it. We felt that this component provided a sense of gratitude in the children we support and appreciation towards nature, both important components in decreasing rates of childhood anxiety.

Some exciting examples of the above included:

Digging in the dirt with bare hands, finding worms, tending to the gardens, and crawling in the fields in our Little Care Farmers program. 91 families participated in this program this spring, summer, and fall. It was our largest turn out yet and the feedback was extremely positive. In a post-program survey, 98 % of caregivers stated that the program positively influenced their mental health. One family stated, “my son and I had an amazing time at the farm today. I am inspired by your programs and what you offer for people with all levels of abilities.” 

This summer, the theme of our camp was Nature Keepers. It was a record year with 31 campers and with the support from the Dufferin County Community Grant, we were able to have a Beekeeper and a Farmer come speak to the campers about tangible strategies on how to respect and protect their land and its creatures As a group they created a bug hotel and learned a nature’s pledge in both English and sign language.

In the Fall (October/November), FCF supported over 215 Dufferin County community members and students in a visit to the farm. During each visit, students were inspired to have positive mindsets such as respect, reciprocity and responsibility as values connected to the land. Classes were able take a piece of their nature learnings back into the classroom with them, such as the seeds they planted in egg cartons together. 

Additionally, this Fall, staff underwent some professional development on land-based learning, including participation in an Indigenous Sweat Lodge. Staff reported, “It was a life-changing experience, and the spiritual teachings will resonate throughout our land-based philosophy and programs at the farm for many years to come”.