more than a farm
At the foundation of the “More Than a Farm” vision is the utilization of a farm as a means to develop and share practices that honor the earth and the interconnectedness of all living things. Our greater goal is to create a movement that goes beyond our farm, and serves as a model to build more resilient, caring, and sustainable communities in the Great Lake Erie Southern Shore (GLESS) Bioregion and beyond.
Register for Summer Camp!
Sign your child(ren) up for one or multiple weeks of summer camp at Kelly’s Working Well Farm. Our self-directed model means every week is unique and each camper can develop their own relationship with the farm and other campers. Register here: Camp Registration Form
For more information go to Summer Camps.
Upcoming Events
Help us say “Good-Bye Porta-Potties!"
If you have driven by the farm you have probably seen the giant back-hoe used to dig sewer and water lines for a real bathroom, as well as a sink and temperature controlled space for some minimal food processing and storage. If we can raise the funds, we plan to finish this project early in the spring so we can say good-bye to the porta-potties!
Over the history of the farm we have operated on a shoestring, funding our infrastructure developments largely through summer camps and a few generous donations. Now we need your help to make our dream come true: a beautiful space to process and store products of the farm, and educate folks about how food can be grown regeneratively, giving back to the soil more than we take from it and thus literally nurturing life from the ground up.
Thus far, this project has cost over $50,000 for the permits and installation of the underground infrastructure and driveway extension. We will need another $50,000 to complete phase one this spring. Please consider donating to the farm to enable us to move forward and realize this major step in creating a community hub to educate about and support the local food system.
For more information on these projects and events go to Workshops, Special Events and Opportunities
Green Roots Convergence
Thank you to reporter Sue (Reid) Pinkerton, photographer Michael Steinberg, and the Chagrin Valley Times for such a nice article on the Green Roots Convergence!
Green Roots Convergence offered deep dives, stand-alone wisdom, knowledge and skill-sharing sessions, facilitated community conversations, participatory art, music and performance, food, kids activities and more!
Making cob during the Natural Building Intensive of the Green Roots Convergence
Permaculture Panel during the Permaculture Intensive of the Gren Roots Convergence held at Kelly’s Working Well Farm
KWWF and CVLC on TV!
Thanks to Jack Shea and his crew from Fox News 8 for coming out to do a story about our situation! After the judge determined that our educational programming does qualify as agritourism, Bainbridge Township has decided to appeal that decision. This makes it harder for us to resolve the remaining fire code citations with the fire inspector continuing to claim that he is not qualified to inspect the buildings for which he issued those citations. Go to Public Awareness Campaign for updates and to learn more.
Kelly’s Working Well Farm is an educational permaculture farm dedicated to the community. We raise a wide variety of animals, and grow a diverse array of perennial fruit and nut trees and shrubs, plus herbs and an annual vegetable garden. The farm also showcases several structures using local materials and natural building techniques.
Sign up for the More Than a Farm/Kelly’s Working Well Farm newsletter below to keep updated on farm events, activities, initiatives and collaborations.
We are open to the public year round to host your agriculturally oriented organization, activity or event. Whether it’s a farm tour, an educational workshop presented by farm staff or other members of the community, or your own programming, contact Kelly (kellyworkingwell@gmail.com) to make arrangements.
Some of the activities available at the farm are: seasonal harvesting and processing of berries, medicinal weeds, herbs, flowers, fiber, meat (chicken, lamb and pork); making jams, tinctures, salves; spinning fiber into yarn or cordage, basket weaving; plant propagation; mushroom cultivation; “herding” chickens and collecting eggs; and much more! Contact us to arrange a tour or activity for your family or group.
Through our partnerships with like-minded organizations we are dedicated to building a more beautiful, healthy, inspiring community.
Read more about our work to weave a bioregional network of communication, cooperation and collaboration along the Great Lake Erie Southern Shore (GLESS).
Notice: The Farm is available only for agricultural and agritourism activities open to the public. Fire Code violations may exist on this Property. No agritourism activity shall be held within 10 feet of any of the structures including the yurt, pavilion, tree barn, red cottage, library and farm-store.