Renowned Creemore organic farm has transitioned to a non-profit centre promoting regenerative agriculture.
by Nicole Hilton //
Nearly two decades ago, co-founders Gillian Flies and Brent Preston broke ground on The New Farm just outside Creemore with a mission: to grow food sustainably and advocate for healthier food systems. What began as a small organic operation selling at farmers markets grew into a thriving supplier for restaurants, carving out a place in the local food movement.
The farm is well-known for its annual fundraiser, Farms for Change, which takes place in June. This year’s event welcomed over 1,000 guests, 150 volunteers, top chefs and musicians to raise funds for weekly deliveries of organic vegetables to low-income communities in southern Ontario.
Last year marked a major transition as The New Farm officially became The New Farm Centre, a non-profit committed to advancing climate-friendly farming practices through education, advocacy, corporate engagement and community-driven change.
“The New Farm Centre is a non-profit charitable organization that demonstrates and advocates for regenerative farming systems,” says Brandi Bechard, the centre’s experiential education manager. “This includes fostering healthy ecosystems and communities and improving farmer livelihoods.”
farming emphasizes straightforward but profound practices: maximizing crop diversity, reducing soil disturbance with no- or low-till practices to maintain soil health, and integrating rotational grazing with livestock. The New Farm Centre aims to foster a supportive community where farmers can minimize the risk of trying new practices while maintaining profitability.
“We ran a profitable farm business for nearly 20 years,” says Flies. “But what gets us out of bed in the morning is figuring out how to farm in a way that is both economically and environmentally sustainable. The transition to The New Farm Centre will let us focus completely on developing and spreading regenerative practices.”
Next year, The New Farm Centre plans to launch their Regenerative Transition Support Program, collaborating with farmers and landowners to incorporate these practices to make their farms more resilient to withstand fluctuations in the economy and the environment. Meanwhile, Flies and Preston continue advocating for policy changes, ensuring regenerative farming isn’t just an option, but a priority in local food conversations.
