About Homestead T.O.
Homestead T.O. was created to teach and inspire people to grow food locally and organically. Life is busy and we’ve become increasingly disconnected from our food sources in recent years. As a result, much of the food that we eat is processed, while healthier, organically-grown food has become more expensive.
Our Grow Veggies program provides training to anyone looking to improve their knowledge of growing food and to make the most of their own yards and balconies, and our Growing Urban Farmers program provide space and mentorship to Grow Veggies graduates interested in exploring urban farming as a career.
About Derek, Co-Founder & Instructor
When I started container gardening on a balcony almost 20 years ago, I fell in love with the idea of growing my own food. Over several years, I grew veggies in backyard gardens, community gardens, and even rooftop gardens. Nine years ago, I decided to follow this passion – I changed careers and became a member farmer on urban agricultural farmland in Downsview Park. I went back to school and completed certificates and diplomas in Horticulture, Sustainable Urban Agriculture, and Growing Plants for Profit from the University of Guelph.
I’ve helped start community gardens, facilitated gardening programs with kids and newcomers, led a rooftop gardening program, and worked with community co-ops and horticultural gardens to increase food security in their neighbourhoods.
In addition to teaching, I volunteer with Food Up Front, Edible Allan Gardens, the garden at Margaret’s House Supportive Housing, and the garden at Emily House Children’s Hospice.
About Vinyse, Co-Founder
With an early-seeded passion for helping others, my career focus over the last 17 years has been in the not-for-profit sector. I’ve worked in roles that support families experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, seniors, newcomers, and individuals facing health crises. My true passion, and where I spend most of my time, is in environmental and animal causes. In my “day job” as the Operations Coordinator for a not-for-profit animal photojournalism agency, I see every day how deeply the well-being of humans, animals, and the environment are all connected.
As Co-Founder of Homestead T.O., I’m our course moderator, photographer, social media manager, and editor. What I love most about urban farming is being able to cook with the organic heirloom vegetables we’ve grown, and what I love most about our program is that we get to share skills and the harvest with old and new friends alike!
Our Values
Sustainability
- With experience, food can be grown at home and without the use of pesticides and herbicides, making it safer and healthier while reducing toxins in our soil and water
- Our own yards, balconies, and community spaces provide the easiest opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint
- The cost to build and maintain a garden can be minimal, providing low-cost access to fresh food for years to come
Local
- Growing and eating food brings people together more than any other activity
- Toronto has the land and resources to be able to produce a significant amount of its food locally
- Food is healthier and tastes better if harvested when ripe and not transported over long distances
Food Security
- People should have improved access to healthier foods at a reasonable cost
- Knowledge of how to grow food, how to eat seasonally, and how to preserve food are key components of any food security strategy
Interconnectedness
- Caring for the well-being of all humans, animals, and the environment is beneficial to everyone, as our well-being is interconnected
Homestead T.O. 