Member Spotlight: Jireh Hills Family Homestead
“A family-run homestead located in the rolling hills of the Sydenham River and farmland of southwestern Ontario” — Jireh Hills Family Homestead is certified Silver with GreenStep Sustainable Tourism. Continue reading to learn more about their journey towards sustainability:
Tell us a bit about your business. What makes you different?
A family-run homestead located in the rolling hills of the Sydenham River and farmland of southwestern Ontario. We offer educational farm experiences and overnight farm stays for guests to immerse themselves in a simple and sustainable lifestyle. Learn how to milk a goat, make cheese or walk an alpaca; we have inspiring hands-on fun for all ages.
Why is sustainability important to you/your business?
It has been our vision to create a regenerative homestead on our 50 acres of Carolinian woodlands, wetlands and workable farm land using the simple and timeless methods of centuries old techniques and embrace the lost arts of husbandry. As a family, we are concerned about the future generations and the proper care and management of all living organisms and the delicate ecosystems in which we interact. As stewards of our land and livestock, we have the privilege and blessing of educating and inspiring others to embrace this mindset by offering farm experiences and overnight farm stays on our beautiful property. Our farm allows the land and animals to “speak” and teach our guests about the importance of sustainability for all living organisms.
Why did you join GreenStep Sustainable Tourism?
We wanted to learn more about sustainability practices and how we could incorporate them into our small business.
What sustainability related projects, policies or initiatives do you most want travelers to know about?
We want our guests to learn how they can support and be a part of encouraging sustainability in their own environment. By meeting a local farmer, buying local, learning new skills and passing this information along to the next generation, we can empower others to make changes in the right direction. Our newly constructed Nature Lodges will offer guests the opportunity to stay longer and learn more about sustainability by seeing examples of how we have incorporated them in day-to-day activities on the homestead.
What are some goals and/or actions you plan to take in the future to further increase the sustainability of your business?
We plan to further educate ourselves in the areas of cultural sustainability by supporting the local Skanahdoht Village and Museum that is located near us. We want to collaborate more with local business and restaurants by taking waste and using it in our aerated composting building and vermiculture system. Lastly, we have developed a Farm and Forest School for children to enrol and attend educational on-farm classes that will highlight how to grow food, raising dairy goats, creating compost and woodland management.
To learn more about Jireh Hills Family Homestead – visit: www.jirehhills.com
