After years of research and planning, Farms at Work has officially launched the Peterborough Community Farm in the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan.
More than 40 supporters, growers, and representatives of community organizations gathered Saturday (October 3) at the 1576 Matchett Line property to celebrate the launch, tour the site, and learn about plans for the community-based farming hub.
The Peterborough Community Farm is intended to give aspiring farmers and community groups access to land, shared infrastructure, education, mentorship, and other resources while providing opportunities to test and develop small-scale farm businesses.
The initiative became a reality in spring 2026 through an agreement between Farms at Work and property owner Jason McIntosh of JMAC Auctions.
The property already has farming infrastructure and equipment, allowing the project to begin operating with a relatively modest initial investment while leaving room for expansion.
“Growing up in a farm community, it changes the way you think,” McIntosh said in a media release. “I’m lucky to now have a farm that we can share with other people in agriculture and the community, while also supporting the auction.”
Peterborough County deputy warden and Selwyn Township mayor Sherry Senis attended the launch and presented a certificate of recognition from the county to Farms at Work for its efforts to improve access to farmland.
“The Peterborough Community Farm is such an exciting addition to our region,” Senis said.
“More than a piece of farmland, it represents a connection between our agricultural past and our agricultural future. It creates opportunities for new and aspiring farmers to gain experience, access resources, and develop the skills needed to build successful farm enterprises right here in Peterborough County.”
Otonabee-South Monaghan mayor Joe Taylor also attended and spoke about the potential for future community partnerships through garden plots planned for the property.
While the community farm was officially launched on Saturday, food has already been grown at the site during the 2026 season.
Pilot farmer Sara O. Shahsavari of Sheila’s Family Farm has been developing her business there after beginning her farming experience with extensive home gardens.
Shahsavari, who is also a local musician, writer, visual artist, and multicultural community builder, has described Sheila’s Family Farm as drawing inspiration from her family’s agricultural and cultural roots and from themes of love, courage, resilience, and peace.
Guests at Saturday’s launch toured Sheila’s Family Farm and heard from Farms at Work staff and board members about the development of the larger community farm initiative.
The Peterborough Community Farm project is intended to address some of the most significant barriers facing people who want to enter farming, including the cost and availability of farmland, startup capital, access to infrastructure, practical experience, and mentorship.
Its origins date back to research Farms at Work began in 2018, including interviews with new farmers in east central Ontario and research into community farm models elsewhere in North America.
According to Farms at Work, every new farmer interviewed said a startup farm model would have been valuable when they were beginning their own farming careers.
In 2025 and 2026, the organization developed a formal business case for the project with financial support from Community Futures Peterborough and Peterborough County Economic Development.
The resulting model combines access to land and shared infrastructure with hands-on education, mentoring, and assistance with business and financial planning.
Farms at Work hired Andrea Hicks as its Community Farm Planner in April to lead the project’s next phase.
During Saturday’s launch event, Community Futures Peterborough board member Raymond Yip Cho spoke about the connections between farming, food security, rural economies, and maintaining a relationship with the land.
Later in the day, Peterborough County warden and Otonabee-South Monaghan deputy mayor Bonnie Clark toured the farm with Shahsavari.
“We are all concerned about food security, and this project creates opportunities for the next generation of farmers to produce food locally, which, as we know, has a lower carbon footprint, supports local economies, and tastes better,” Clark said.
Farms at Work is now preparing to expand participation through its new Pathways to Farming Program, with applications for the 2027 growing season to open soon.
Approved participants in the program will receive access to land and shared infrastructure along with education, training, mentorship, and support developing viable farm businesses.
Applicants will need previous food-growing experience, with a preliminary business plan strongly encouraged.
“We are excited to see the Community Farm move from years of research and planning into a place where farmers are actually growing food and building their businesses,” said Farms at Work board secretary Erika Inglis.
“The determination and resourcefulness of our board and staff, and the participating farmers themselves, will allow this project to grow into a thriving centre in the coming years, where the future of our food system will be strengthened and everyone in our community can find a place.”
Farms at Work will announce the 2027 Pathways to Farming intake through its website and newsletter at farmsatwork.ca.
Farms at Work is a registered charity based in east central Ontario that works to strengthen regional food systems, protect farmland, and promote farmland stewardship.
