The Acadia Community Farm

The Acadia Community Farm is pleased to announce that we have a new website that is now part of the Acadia University website.

After 10+ years maintaining the original farm blog here on WordPress we thought it was time to refresh our online presence with a new look.  Also, we now spend more time posting on social media these days rather than blogging so decided to focus more on this work.  And finally, we wanted to make the website easier to find for Acadia students, by including it on the main Acadia website.

Much of the old content has been migrated to the new website already and we are in the process of archiving all the content that has been contributed since the farm was established in 2008. Such a lot has happened over the last 12 years from the Tomato Symposium complete with straw bale sofa, to Open Mic Night at the Farm with Just US!, to community planting parties and much more! It’s been so much fun exploring and remembering the farm through the years.

We invite you to visit the new website at farm.acadiau.ca. Later this year we will redirect visitors to this new website.  

A new general information email address has also been created. You can reach us at farm@acadiau.ca. For the remainder of this year you can still contact Jodie or Katherine using our acadiafarm.org email addresses.  

The Government of Nova Scotia has lifted restrictions on community gardens. This is good news, however, please note that the farm will remain closed for the time being until we have been able to review operational plans and safety protocols for the season. Please check back for updates.

Greetings gardeners! We have decided to postpone the opening of the Acadia Community Farm to comply with provincial public health directives. Normally the Farm opens around May 1st with staff, students and community members beginning work together in the field. As the University is currently closed to the public and we need to limit interactions on campus the season start date is delayed until June 1st for the time being. We will re-evaluate in mid-May and provide an update at that time.

We realize this is disappointing news at a time when many are keen to grow gardens and the need to produce food is greater than in previous years. We recognize this is unfortunate, but our first priority is the safety of staff, students and the community and complying with public health directives.

Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Please contact jodie@acadiafarm.org if you have any questions.

~The Acadia Community Farm Management Team

Many thanks to Sarah Boudreau for four years of hard work and dedication at the Acadia Community Farm. Sarah will complete her education degree this year and so sadly 2019 was her final season as Coordinator of the Acadia Farm. We will miss her, but recognize her many contributions to helping grow the garden over the last four years and wish her well! Thank you Sarah!!!

Welcome back to both new and returning Acadia Students! We are excited to have you back on campus and hope you come down to visit us at the Acadia Community Farm.

Look for us at Club Extravaganza Wednesday September 4th from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm in the Acadia Students’ Union Building. Here we will be able to talk with you about the farm and how you can sign-up to get involved.

Students can volunteer with us every Wednesday evening from 6:00pm – 7:30 pm.

If you’re wondering what to expect while volunteering here is a list of potential activities:

• Planting
• Watering
• Weeding
• Mulching
• Harvesting
• Garden Clean up

Feel free to contact Sarah Boudreau at sarah@acadiafarm.org if you would like more information.

Due to the current and forecasted rain/thunder showers tonight’s volunteer session from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm will be cancelled. Stay safe and dry!

With temperatures in the high 20’s and 30’s it is important that you work smart in the heat. If you need to do work outside we suggest early morning before 10 am or late evening after 5 pm. Make sure to wear a hat, sun screen, drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade.

Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

An exciting harvest took place on campus last week at the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre. Student research assistants and staff from the Acadia Community Farm harvested lettuce grown hydroponically as part of a research project with Dr. Martin Tango from the Acadia University Ivan Curry School of Engineering, colleagues at the Nova Scotia Community College – NSCC and Nova Aquaponics. The produce was delivered to Chartwells at Acadia University  Wheelock dining hall and the Wolfville and Area Food Bank. #Eatingyoureducation at Acadia!

Due to current and forecasted rain the Gardening 101 Workshop will be held at the Acadia Athletic Complex in the Hall of Fame room. 7:00pm start!