Introduction

The mini-farm project aims to establish a subdivision of mini-farms. We begin our discussion by defining what a mini-farm is and provide some background information. We then present the rationale for the mini-farm project, propose a subdivision of mini-farms, and finally, describe a specific mini-farm project, inviting feedback from our readers.

What is a Mini-Farm ?

A farm, as broadly defined by sources like Wikipedia, is a tract of land and its associated buildings and structures devoted to agricultural processes, primarily aimed at producing food (crops, livestock), fibers, and increasingly, fuels. Farms vary widely in size and scope and can be classified using several criteria:

- Size: Typically categorized as small, medium, or large based on the income they generate (e.g., less than $10k, $10k-$250k, more than $250k annually).
- Type of Ownership: Including family-owned farms, corporate entities, or cooperatives.
- Special Types: Including retirement farms, where operations are led by retirees, and lifestyle/hobby farms. These smaller farms may not be the primary source of income for their owners. Some are maintained purely for recreation or as a sideline source of income, while others are run at an ongoing loss as a lifestyle choice by individuals with the financial means to do so.

In the category of small farms, the term mini-farm, or more recently, micro-farm, is used.

How Small is a Mini-Farm?

Unfortunately, there is no clear definition of a mini farm, nor is there a consensus on what constitutes a farm in general. The number of acres does not necessarily determine what makes a farm. More important is how efficiently the land is used. Numerous examples exist of small farms, some with less than two acres, where owners achieve self-sufficiency through sustainable farming practices. For information on sustainable farming and micro farming, visit, for example, Country Farm Lifestyles.
Country Farm Lifestyles.

In the United States, some government entities consider 10 acres as the minimum size for a farm. However, this is often regarded as a bureaucratic convenience, as reported by Star Tribune.

In Canada, under the Assessment Act regulation that came into effect in January 1998, eligible farmlands can be classified in the Farm Property Class and taxed at 25 percent of the municipal residential rate. The size of the farm is not a criterion for eligibility. The main requirement is that the property must be part of a farming operation generating Gross Farm Income of at least $7,000, as reported to the Canada Revenue Agency for income tax purposes.

Micro Eco-Farm (MEF) defines the new sustainable local mini farms, which range from urban greenhouses to backyard gardens to small rural parcels of 1 to 25 acres.

Barbara Adams, in her article ‘Start a Mini Farm Business in Your Backyard Or Small Acreage’, suggests a boom in mini farming, noting:

“In this new world of eco-consciousness, concern over global warming, home business, and entrepreneurship, a gourmet treasury of backyard mini-farm opportunities are being born. They range from substantial extra streams of income to full-time income, and from rooftops, even apartments, to farms on small acreage. Out of the ashes of the farming disaster in the 1980s came a new form of organic small acreage or backyard farm, the ‘micro eco-farm.’” The Center for the Micro Eco-Farming Movement reports an array of innovative projects, including angora rabbits being raised in apartments, organic herb gardens in backyards selling herbal crafts over the internet, miniature sheep, miniature dairy cows, organic flower farms on small acreage, heirloom vegetable farms on small acreage, garlic farms on small acreage, flower seed farms from backyards, and the list goes on.”

A Rationale for the Mini-Farm Project

There is a significant and growing interest in mini-farming. Mini farms not only provide a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle but also offer organic food and a source of income. The popularity of mini-farming is increasing due to various factors, including global concerns about terrorism and recession—fueling a desire for self-sufficiency—awareness of climate change, the poor quality of available food, and the stress of modern life.

As baby boomers (born between 1945-1965) reach retirement age, the appeal of mini farms and micro farms, embodying a truly “micro” lifestyle, becomes even more apparent. According to Statistics Canada, there are currently approximately 4 million senior citizens in Canada, a number expected to double over the next 20 years. By around 2021, about one out of every five Canadians will be a senior, as detailed in the “Portrait of Seniors in Canada” by Statistics Canada.

Numerous private and governmental organizations in Canada and abroad promote sustainable farming with a broad range of goals. However, these organizations often provide limited practical value to mini farmers due to their inefficiencies.

Mini farmers, like farmers in general, are dispersed across various geographical regions—from states and provinces to townships and villages—limiting their ability to cooperate closely and interact. Life in a small community, where members share similar values and interests, tends to be more efficient and pleasant.

To the best of our knowledge, subdivisions of mini farms in Canada are rare, and the concept of a mini farm subdivision is relatively new. Wikipedia defines a subdivision as the act of dividing land into pieces that are easier to sell or develop. While commonly used for housing (often called housing subdivisions or developments) and sometimes for commercial or industrial purposes, mini farms are not typically mentioned in these definitions.

Developing mini farms in subdivisions could lead to more effective and efficient land use, as advocated in the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005. Creating a cluster of mini farms through the subdivision process is easier than developing the same number of mini farms independently. The cost per parcel for infrastructure (roads, water, hydro, etc.) in a mini-farm subdivision is expected to be higher than in a high-density residential subdivision, yet lower than the cost for a traditional mini farm.

Typically, farms, including mini farms, rely on private wells. In a mini-farm subdivision, providing a common water supply—as is done in traditional residential subdivisions—would be simpler and more efficient. This is particularly important as wells, especially dug wells, are prone to bacterial contamination, necessitating regular water quality monitoring and treatment.

In a clustered mini-farm setting, typical municipal services like high-speed internet or natural gas should also be economically feasible. Furthermore, the social aspect of living in a mini-farm subdivision is attractive; neighbors are close enough to help with tasks such as animal care or gardening when a mini farmer is away.

Condominium Mini-Farms

To expand on the idea of a subdivision of mini farms, let’s consider evolving this concept into a condominium of mini farms. First, it’s important to define what a condominium is. For this purpose, we turn to a commonly referenced source, Wikipedia.

A condominium, often referred to as a condo, represents a type of real property ownership where a specified part of a property (usually within a building such as an apartment complex) is individually owned. Meanwhile, the use of and access to common facilities like hallways, heating systems, elevators, and exterior areas are shared under legal rights associated with each owner’s individual unit but are collectively controlled by an association of all owners, who jointly represent ownership of the entire property. Colloquially, the term is often used to refer to the unit itself instead of using the term “apartment.” A condo is essentially an “apartment” that the resident owns rather than rents.

In the context of a subdivision of mini farms, this concept translates to mini farmers owning their individual parcels of land, just as they would in a traditional farming setup. Additionally, these farmers would have shared access to common assets that are managed and maintained by an association of owners. These common assets might include internal roads, common areas (which could serve various purposes beyond recreation), fencing, shared buildings, and farming equipment.

The next section will describe the specific details of this project.

The Brockville Mini-Farm Project

The goal of this project is to develop a subdivision of mini farms on a 550-acre tract of land in the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley, located 5 miles west of Brockville, Ontario. Positioned less than one mile from Exit 687 on HWY 401, and nestled between HWY 2 and Hallecks Rd, this land is ideally sized to support a significant cluster of mini farms.

Currently, the zoning of the land is primarily rural with portions designated for mineral extraction due to underlying sand and gravel deposits. Historically, the land was utilized mainly for pasture, but now, only small patches are actively farmed, with the remainder covered in woodlands.

Previously, this property was owned by Loyalist Farms Limited, under the stewardship of Judge Henderson, who had envisioned a residential subdivision called Loyalist Landing, specifically designed for senior citizens. His ambitious plans included over 100 two-acre estate residential lots, a sprawling 100+ acre golf course, and a retirement community center. In preparation for these developments, the township had extended the water line along HWY2 to serve, among others, the property. Unfortunately, Judge Henderson’s untimely death halted the progress, and to date, that extended water line remains unused at its full capacity.

Below are satellite images of the land captured from various altitudes, showcasing the potential areas for the mini-farm subdivision:

View from 5km

Proposed land for a mini-farm subdivision

North Side

South Side

Preliminary Proposal

As of 2010, this section outlines a work-in-progress preliminary proposal. Several options are currently under consideration, with the key proposals illustrated in the figures below.