Imagine if there were a living model of resilience right in the heart of your community - a physical space where we could demonstrate ways to sustainably feed ourselves, heal the local ecosystem, and work in harmony with nature and each other - would you want to be a part of it? Now imagine an interconnected network of these local models scattered around the globe, sharing information and resources to get through, and even thrive in, whatever might be coming.
That's the vision behind the Lifeboat Academy - modeling resilience and regeneration at the person, place and community level in ways that can be easily replicated by practically anyone in their home community.
The Lifeboat Academy is a working farm as well as an experiential education and retreat centre offering the experience of living a regenerative lifestyle in a deeply supportive and respectful community. We're building a model mixed-used regenerative farm with an integrated blend of pastures, food forests and gardens growing a variety of healthy food while increasing the vitality of the environment. The farm serves as a community hub for people learning to live healthy, happy, resilient lives together.
Learn more about the project at www.lifeboat.academy.
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There are currently two of us living on site at Spalding Valley Farm. Ben & Roland have planted and nurtured the seeds of The Lifeboat Academy for the past decade, hosting iterations of the project on four different farms. We are currently working to raise $2.5 million to purchase and liberate a 47-acre property on South Pender Island that is well-suited for the first campus of the Academy. We only been on the property for a short time and are very much in the start up and building stage, so there are lots of interesting projects to get involved with. We are officially open for WWOOFers, interns (longer stay WWOOFers), and hopefully fellow farmers.
We are most interested in finding interns to help us develop Spalding Valley Farm. Internships are an immersive opportunity to develop your personal and practical resilience and regeneration skills. Your days will include a variety of activities, from routine chores to farm projects. You’ll have a chance to participate in our shared governance system based on Sociocracy 3.0, so you can contribute insights and perspectives to help us shape the model. Your days and weeks will be full, mixed with ample time for self-care and socialising.
Other logistical points to note:
You’ll be given a place to stay and fed*
*The farm tries to feed itself as much as possible. We predominantly eat together based on a local, seasonal and self-resilient diet. Specialty foods or snacks that have a high carbon footprint would be up to you to obtain. The kitchen, as with most of the farm, operates on the Gift Economy, meaning we expect everyone to give what they can, and donations are welcome.
If this sounds strange and confusing, like it’s a leap into something challenging and unknown, and you’re excited about it, this is probably a place for you.
Read more
Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Poultry farming
Sheep or goat farming
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Bakery
Green Building
Food justice / sovereignty
Methods or systems
No-till farming
Regenerative agriculture
Mentoring opportunities
LGBTQ+-operated
Host type
Nonprofit / Community
19
Hectares
|
46.9
Acres
