Our Community
This is a unique opportunity to experience hands-on learning at an urban farm. Experience the farm life, without leaving the city!
We offer workshops and community focused mentoring through our volunteer program.
When you weave yourself into our culture, you'll gain...
CONNECTION… Tangibly, sensually and sensibly immersed in the natural world that is right in front of you - not far away on a farm, on vacation or in deep woods - right here in the city, accessible every day.
BELONGING… Community is at the centre of everything we do. Everyone here is valued for who they are and the special gift they bring.
KNOWLEDGE… You will really get to know your herbs, the cycles and processes of growth and support in an ecological context. The immersive hands-on process of learning encourages learning through all of your senses. We zoom into the micro while holding the whole picture.
EASE… Especially in your own body. Listening to yourself while in relationship with nature helps you discern what you need most and clears your plate. It is inevitable that as you take time to nurture yourself, you will make choices that will better support your vision for your best life.
RECIPROCITY… This is a place where we learn together and take care of one another. As we nurture all aspects of the garden everything - including the people - grow within it. This is not necessarily the case in traditional trainings or education systems and it’s not common in workplaces or nature/garden clubs.
Volunteer with us!
There are two weekly meeting times for our 7 month season April - November.
If you looking for rich farm experience in a group setting while working with herbs.
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Garden Weekly Meetups (min 3x/month)
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3 - 7 month commitment
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Special Guest Workshops
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Invitation to special events
Here is what past (and present) participants have to say...
"I've learned a lot about gardening and even more importantly how to build community with a labour of love, generosity and acceptance."
- Meagan
Mentoring Community
- all the details -
How does this work?
We learn together in three different ways: alongside Maria; independently with a specific task or objective; and almost always, with other members of the community.
Questions will naturally arise and be explored while working. Sometimes we may switch gears to investigate something we are curious about or to solve a problem that needs our attention.
Questions of timing:
This in-person, hands-on learning runs for 7 months from April and November.
Our first meeting day is April 28, 2026 and our last day is November 17, 2026.
There will be 2 volunteer work days a week. Each work day is 3 hours and it is where the bulk of learning happens. You can come to ONCE or TWICE weekly. We will keep the days and times consistent, though there are adjustments in the summer to accommodate heat extreme heat.
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Tuesdays 3pm - 6pm (extreme heat 5pm - 8pm)
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Sundays 9am - 12pm (extreme heat 8am - 11am)
You are always welcome to come to more than one Weekly Meetup.
What’s the investment?
Beyond the time you invest in yourself, our community and connecting to the learning ecosystem, there is a a minimum monthly expectation. We have more people asking to volunteer here than we can accommodate, as such, to be part of our team we ask for a minimum 3 month commitment, where you are able to come at least 3 times/month.
Things you may learn here:
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Organic, biodynamic and permaculture methods and principles
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Soil building, care and regeneration
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Composting methods, active, passive and vermi piles
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Starting seeds- indoor and out
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Hardening off plants and transplanting seedlings
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Plant care and pest/disease management
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Harvest and processing techniques
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Whole food cooking
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Herbal Education- growing, care and preparation
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Everything you ever wanted to know about herbal tisanes
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Season extenders- Cold frames, greenhouses
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Pollinating plants and cut flowers
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Companion and rotation planting
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All about mulch!
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Garden planning and design/build techniques
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Plant identification- fruit and vegetable plants, edible “weed” harvest, invasive species management, ornamental and native plants
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How to be resourceful with everything you do
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How to improvise in almost any situation
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Living more with less
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Our part in our micro ecosystem as well as the world
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Syncing your rhythm to nature’s rhythm
Your guide, Maria Solakofski cultivates the growing potential in everyone she meets.
Maria is a mentor of everything herbal, a guide for botanical wellness, organic gardening, nutrition and healthy lifestyle practices, community building, self-sufficiency and homesteading in the city.
Learn more about Maria here.
