We believe that aspiring farmers deserve real access to land, and that communities deserve dedicated spaces for creativity and well-being.
When both are nurtured, livelihoods and a sense of belonging can grow together
Who are we?
Roots Farm & Retreat is a land-based initiative located in Eastern Ontario, operating both as a cooperative and a not-for-profit organization.
Together, we care for shared farmland as a space for opportunity, learning, and connection. The cooperative provides long-term land access and shared farm infrastructure for emerging and equity-seeking farmers, prioritizing BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, and women farmers. The not-for-profit develops accessible, artistic, cultural, and land-based programming that strengthens community well-being.
Though distinct in structure, both entities are grounded in the same belief: land can be a driver of equity, creativity, and collective resilience.
Our mission
A few years ago, we made a small investment in a farm that quietly transformed our lives. Working the land, moving outdoors, and breathing fresh air became much more than a livelihood, it became a form of medicine. The rhythms of planting, tending, and harvesting brought us clarity, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose.
What began as a personal healing journey quickly grew into a deeper calling: to create a space where others could access those same benefits, especially people facing the pressures and isolation of urban life, or systemic barriers in agriculture.
In 2022, we purchased 75 acres of land outside Cornwall, Ontario, between Ottawa and Montréal, with the intention of building something more than a farm. We envisioned a shared landscape where underrepresented farmers could root their businesses, and where community members could gather around creative, cultural, and land-based wellness experiences.
Roots Farm & Retreat was born from that vision — a place where the land supports livelihoods, restores connection, and invites everyone to reconnect with themselves, with others, and with the earth.
Our Story
A few years ago, we made a small investment in a farm that quietly transformed our lives. Working the land, moving outdoors, and breathing fresh air became much more than a livelihood, it became a form of medicine. The rhythms of planting, tending, and harvesting brought us clarity, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose.
What began as a personal healing journey quickly grew into a deeper calling: to create a space where others could access those same benefits — especially people facing the pressures and isolation of urban life, or systemic barriers in agriculture.
In 2022, we purchased 75 acres of land outside Cornwall, Ontario, between Ottawa and Montréal, with the intention of building something more than a farm. We envisioned a shared landscape where underrepresented farmers could root their businesses, and where community members could gather around creative, cultural, and land-based wellness experiences.
Roots Farm & Retreat was born from that vision — a place where the land supports livelihoods, restores connection, and invites everyone to reconnect with themselves, with others, and with the earth.
Our family
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Didier Boucard
Founder and administrator
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Sheena Ben-David
Coordinator and project manager
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Fimo Mitchell
Wellness coordinator
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Chantal Vincent
Retired Certified Accountant
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Joey Brisson
Maintenance and infrastructure specialist