Services and prices
Phase I : The lots available on the Land
Roots Farm & Retreat is located in Newington, Ontario and sits on 75 acres of land, 40 acres of which are available to farmers of marginalized communities.
The clay loam soil has had organic practices instilled on it for the last 50 years. Beginning in the season of 2025, lots will be available to farmers wishing to rent with us.
We have a vetting process to make sure that :
The applicants have the goal of buying their own land or expanding their business. The point is for people to move to a more permanent space so that they can lay their roots. Thus we have a 10 years limit.
The applicants have an agricultural base. We are an incubator, not a school so we do look for a certain autonomy. Thus we prioritize people with a certification or higher education diploma in agriculture or years of experience in the field (literally).
A decent business plan with a one acre minimum vision as we want to manage our ressources to provide good services
Prices & services
Yearly
500$
Admin fees
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Business support from our experts to improve your initial business idea with a formal business plan (including a clear exit strategy to own your own land!)
Yearly tweaks to make sure you are on the right path
Membership to The Roots Farm Cooperative
Marketing strategy and sales support
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Yearly planning of the crops (type, size, preparation, budget, etc)
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Work life balance help (accommodations, personal budget, etc.)
Introduction to like minded members of the local community
Monthly/acre (min of 12 months & 1 acre)
150$
Lot fees
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Office (WiFi, printing, etc.)
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Access to irrigation system
Tractor to prepare the land
Washing station
Barn
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Daily meditation sessions
Your instructors
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Agriculture expert
Pascal Billard obtained his bachelor's degree in agronomic sciences, with a specialization in business management, in France. He is President and CEO of SOL-AIR Consultants, an agri-food and environmental consulting firm. Deeply committed to the cooperative movement, he has helped create numerous cooperatives, mainly in the agricultural and agri-food sectors in Canada and abroad.
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Business advisor
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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Local farm expert
Pitt Street Garden is a market garden located Pitt Street in Cornwall, Ontario. They offer a full variety of fresh, seasonal, organic vegetables and produce a weekly food box program for our members known as a Community Supported Agriculture or CSA. Their micro farm grows on one acre of productive land using ecological practices
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Wellness
When The Village Meditates is a nonprofit dedicated to facilitating meditation, yoga and discussion spaces as well as wellness retreats that centers racialized and marginalized people. Fimo Mitchell founded the nonprofit in the summer of 2020 with the hope of offering a safe and inclusive space where individuals may embark on a journey inward while being part of an empathetic and compassionate community. When The Village Meditates is a place of contemplation, connection and liberation. We believe that we heal and thrive together.
“An incubator helps grow a startup from an early-stage idea to a company that can stand on its own.”
— Roots Farm & Retreat