Educational Centre, Agritourism Destination, Perennial Vegetable Source, Fruit tree nursery, Orchard

Ontario
Educational Centre, Agritourism Destination, Perennial Vegetable Source, Fruit tree nursery, Orchard
Educational Centre, Agritourism Destination, Perennial Vegetable Source, Fruit tree nursery, Orchard Educational Centre, Agritourism Destination, Perennial Vegetable Source, Fruit tree nursery, Orchard
14 Updated 2 months ago
Permaculture Nursery looking for helpers from July 2nd through the 2026 growing season. Hello!  We're a permaculture plant nursery specializing in rare perennial vegetables and salad greens, along with berry bushes, fruit and nut trees and multi-purpose plants.  We sell plants that we grow from seeds, cuttings and divisions.  We also host workshops on food forest design, and give tasting tours of our demonstration gardens.  We're looking for 1 or 2 Wwoofers for help with potting up plants, planting gardens, weeding, watering plants and mulching gardens (among other exciting tasks!).  We're building a farm by hand: there are no machines in use (besides an electric lawn mower).  We're passionate about sustainable living and have extensive experience designing food forests and tinkering with various appropriate technologies.  You'd have a private room in a newly renovated old farmhouse, with shared access to the kitchen, living room & bathroom. We also have a nifty solar-heated outdoor shower (after the risk of frost is over). If you're looking to travel to Canada, you couldn't find a more beautiful place. We have two dogs, and a few egg-laying chickens.  We're in the heart of the Beaver Valley, steps from the Beaver River where you can go swimming or put a canoe in and paddle for three hours through pristine wilderness.  The Niagara Escarpment is in our backyard, and we're surrounded by the Bruce Trail and lots of wildlife. So, if you'd like to learn more about permaculture in a beautiful setting, please get in touch. Happy farming! We don't use herbicides, insecticides or chemical fertilizers; we're not certified organic, only because we're a small-scale nursery and it doesn't make financial sense for us to do so. Current projects: We'll be potting up plants, planting gardens, trying out new perennial vegetables and seeing what wonderful flavours and textures can come out of an edible landscape! We also have some carpentry projects in mind, including turning a wood shed into a workshop, building trellises and replacing the foundation of our greenhouse. Internet access with good quality wifi available Come join the fun!
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Wild foraging
Flower farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Green Building
Food justice / sovereignty
Methods or systems
Holistic management
No-till farming
Permaculture
Host type
Production farm
12.1 Hectares | 30 Acres
Accommodation
4+ WWOOFers
Bedroom
Children not accepted
Pets not accepted
Meals
Omnivore
Vegetarian
Length of stay
1-2 weeks
3-4 weeks
Over a month
Ben
Ben
Member since 2013
Languages spoken: English
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100% Response time: typically within 1 day
Ontario
Toronto: Pearson Airport; Thornbury - Flix Bus
Feedback
Daniele Bruno
Daniele Bruno
Italy • August 2026
Overall, it was more than a pleasant stay. The accommodation was perfect, and it felt like home. Getting to know Ben was a real pleasure, especially because of our common interests. I also had the opportunity to meet several of his friends who made me feel really welcomed, they were all friendly. As for the work experience, it was very enriching from an educational and personal perspective. The surrounding nature is breathtaking from the very first moment, especially because it has been preserved in its original untouched state. Ben is someone I will never forget, and I will carry this experience in my heart.
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Kady
Kady
Canada • May 2026
My stay on the farm with Ben was a tonic for the soul. A great work experience overall and the chance to learn a lot about perennial vegetables at an easy-going pace. Everything was extremely well organized and communicated clearly each day as tasks arise. It was a beautiful location, comfortable accommodation and inspiring work and people to be with.
Jo-Anne
Jo-Anne
Canada • October 2025
Ben, Marley and Maggie! The absolute joyous dynamic trio. I feel so lucky to have found Ben and stayed with him for a week. We hiked, made dinner, chatted, explored all the abundance the edible garden has to offer. Ben is very knowledgable and a great story teller, it was also a pleasure meeting all his friends. Can't thank you enough for showing me the ropes and having me!
Shailesh
Shailesh
Canada • September 2025
Just like the rest of the Wwoofers who have spent time here, I couldn't agree more with regards to the Nursery & Ben as a host. What I would like to add, is that our accommodation area was comfortable, safe and clean! And the best part was the outdoor shower room. It is very well built, with enough privacy, safety and most importantly very very simple and clean. I will surely miss that. Also my first experience living with pets. But Maggie and Marley are simply the most well behaved dogs I have been with. And they are so lovable! Thank you, Ben, for making my first WWOOFing experience so memorable! And yes, I would highly recommended a stay at Fiddlehead whether you are a first timer or not!
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YUN CHEN
YUN CHEN
Taiwan • August 2025
I had a wonderful time having my first farm experience at BEN's Fiddlehead Nursery. We spent two fulfilling and wonderful weeks there. We worked hard, learned about various planting and maintenance methods, harvested fruits, and discovered that some flowers are edible. After work, they went swimming in the river, enjoying the company of their two smart and energetic dogs. I miss you, Maggie & MOLLY. Thank you to BEN for taking us on a scenic hike, picking wild apples, and visiting waterfalls during his day off. We also participated in farm parties...Fantastic memories. BEN's Fiddlehead Nursery is a truly worthwhile farm to visit. I wish BEN peace, health, and all his wishes come true.
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Agnes
Agnes
Hungary • August 2025
I think Ben brought back the experiences of my childhood, when I also lived in nature. He successfully managed to get me back to being wild and accepting practically everything that nature gave me. I tasted every plant he suggested. We paddled together on the nearby river, where we saw many birds and flowering plants. The work was easy, not difficult. I got along well with the dogs. Kisses to Maggie and Marley, and of course Ben. <3
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