Country: Canada

Organization: Pioneer Farm Ltd.

Year the initiative began: 2002

Project Website: www.pioneerfarm.ca

Positioning in the Mosaic of solutions:

• Main barrier addressed: Lack of collaboration
• Main insight addressed: Education through hands-on experience

Youtube upload:

What is the goal of your innovation?
Demonstrate operating a mixed farm off the grid and expose people to friendly farm animals

How does your approach support or embody geotourism?
The one mile of ocean front and 150 acres of woodland is perserved and protected while allowing the tourist to observe and learn.

Describe your approach in detial. How is it innovative?
Being off grid and presenting friendly farm animals is a powerful draw. The parents want to see my solar and wind power and the children just love the animals.

What types of partnerships or professional developement would be most beneficial in spearding your innovation?
"Petting Farms" should be available so the children don't forget where our food comes from.

In one sentence describe what kind of impact, change, or reform your approach is intended to achieve.
slow down...treat animals with respect...walk softly on our planet

Describe the degree of success of your approach to date. Clearly define how you measure quantitative and qualitative impact in terms of how your approach contributes to the sustainability or enhancement of local culture, environment, heritage, or aesthetics? How does your approach minimize negative impacts?
We use profitability as a mile marker and unfortunetly, we are not there yet. Another important marker is the interest of the tourists and the questions that they think of.

How does your program promote traveler enthusiasm, satisfaction, and engagement with the locale?
Well signed nature trails and hands on with the farm animals. We also have campfires and tell stories of years gone by.

In what ways are local residents actively involved in your innovation, including participation and community input? How has the community responded to or benefited from your approach?
We have active volunteers from the local community. I believe we have been sucessful in raising the awareness of people to the issues of global warming. We are invited and participate in many local parades and fairs.

Describe how your innovation helps travelers and local residents better understand the value of the area's cultural and natural heritage, and educates them on local environmental issues. How do you motivate them to act responsibly in their future travel decisions?
People understand a wetland better when they are able to walk through one. Animals will be loved if the children are able to touch them

Is your initiative financially and organizationally sustainable? If not, what is required to make it so? What is the potential demand for your innovation?
This is year five and we are still loosing money, however we are confident this will be the year we break even. I believe the demand is growing each year.

How is your initiative currently financed? If available, provide information on your finances and organization that could help others. Please list: Annual budget, annual revenue generated, size of part-time, full-time and volunteer staff.
Our operating costs are about $10,000.00 and last year we took in $6,900.00. All the staff are volenteers.

What is your plan to expand your approach? Please indicate where/how you would like to grow or enhance your innovation, or have others do so.
First we must break even. Our expansion will be to have buildings available for large groups to conduct retreats.

What are the main barriers you encounter in managing, implementing, or replicating your innovation? What barriers keep your program from having greater impact?
Money is the biggest issue by far. We want to provide a clean farm with facilities and that costs money.

What is the origin of your innovation? Tell your story.
Judy, British by birth, was born in Hong Kong and spent her formative years traveling overseas with her family. Jim, from London, Ontario, served with the Canadian Armed Forces for 22 years. They met in Cyprus in 1981 where Jim was on U N duty. After early retirement Jim moved to Guelph into civilian life. As the result of a series of downsizing and in the wake of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center they became disillusioned with the life they were living. A yearning for a simpler and more basic lifestyle became important and the purchase of 150 undeveloped acres on Prince Edward Island became the birthplace for Pioneer Farm. Guided with respect for nature and the environment, they have created this living exhibition. When you visit us you will have a glimpse into the way farms may have operated in bygone days but with a twist, Pioneer Farm embraces modern technology, which puts nature first. You’ll enjoy learning about our off-grid farm on beautiful Prince Edward Island. Adults and children will delight in meeting our community of animals. Learning stations provide interesting information on how farm animals can be raised with care and respect, introduction to our wind and solar power system, and all the facilities of the farm for trails and picnics.

Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers' marketing material.
see #1 above

Please write an overview of your project. This text will appear when people scroll over the icon for your entry on the Google map located on teh competition homepage.
Pioneer Farm is 150 acres of secluded oceanfront woodland. We use only wind & solar power to live an environmentally responsible lifestyle, while promoting a balance between technology and nature. Come and visit us to experience some of life's simple pleasures and learn about living with renewable energy. We offer: Alternative Energy Information & Tour Guest Cabin - Stay & Experience Life on Pioneer Farm Petting Farm Animals Wagon / Sleigh Rides Llama Treks (Take A Llama To Lunch) Picnic Provided! Nature Trails For Hiking / Snow Shoeing Market Garden Vegetables & Homemade Preserves Custom Designed Group Activities

Contact Information
Mrs. Judy Bertling
Co-Owner
Pioneer Farm Ltd.
RR 2 O'Leary Prince Edward Island
pioneerfarm@pei.sympatico.ca