By Ewa Chwojko-Srawley
Visitors to ClearWater Farm’s Open House last weekend learnt about new developments on the property and its exciting plans for this season.
The first important change: there will be no weekly farm stands at ClearWater. Instead, every Sunday the produce from the farm will be available at Farmer’s Market at the LINK. There will still be farm stands and vendors at ClearWater for the new monthly events.
On July 6, the farm held its inaugural event, with plein air painting, including a competition for adults and for kids. There were awards, and an exhibition.
Michelle Richards-Clermont, who had the vision for this painting event, said, “All around the world artists go to paint at beautiful sites, and ClearWater farm is a very beautiful site, perfect for plein air painting.”
The next free event is on Saturday, July 27th, when homegrown musicians will take over the farm. It will be a full day of performances headlined by the host band, the Connors Brothers. Prepare for another fun-filled family day of art-in-nature activities.
Annabel Slaight, founder of ClearWater Farm, says, “We have prepared many exciting programmes for kids and adults to engage in the arts, while also learning about sustainable farming. We have just completed Believers’ Bend Bio-Garden, a special place developed recently by Lucy Boguski, which is a centre stage of the farm. It is a place for music, stories for kids, and enjoyment. There are plants, native to the region, sown in a way to help the lake and the land.”
You will notice on-going work on ‘swales’, shallow channels filled with vegetation, which manage stormwater runoff from the farm to Lake Simcoe. These swales ensure that the runoff is clean water. Slaight stressed the importance of this project, because water was never drained well from this 100-year-old working farm.
Another project that helps protect the lake is a new low-impact development parking lot with a soft surface that absorbs water. Together with the swales, this system regulates water before it eventually reaches the lake. The numerous trees planted around the parking lot will also help filter the water. This project was supported by provincial and federal funding.
There is also a new historic walkway leading to the barn, displaying works by five artists that tell stories of the land. Mary Byers wrote the narrative, and the artists brought her words to life, recounting the relationship between indigenous and pioneer families working together. This project was made possible with funding from Heritage Canada.
With all the new developments and initiatives, ClearWater Farm is becoming a vibrant community hub where art, nature, and sustainable farming come together.
Whether you’re exploring the historic walkway, enjoying a concert in the Believers’ Bend Garden, or participating in the fun-filled family events, there’s something for everyone. So, stop by and discover how ClearWater Farm is nurturing both the land and the community.
To learn more about ClearWater summer schedule visit: https://clearwaterfarm.ca/summer/
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