Earth and Soul Farm

Rooted in the heart of West Nipissing, Earth and Soul Farm is a small but mighty market farm known for its commitment to sustainable local food production, community resilience, and environmental stewardship. Owned and operated by Jeannie and Donovan, the farm has spent the past eight years building a reputation as a reliable and trusted supplier of fresh leafy greens, vegetables, and cut flowers across the wider Nipissing District.

Earth and Soul Farm’s operation is thoughtfully designed to maximize production while minimizing environmental impact. Their growing infrastructure includes two greenhouses—one passive solar and one modular indoor container—and a field production unit. Together, these allow the farm to cultivate a wide range of products year-round. Whether it’s microgreens harvested weekly, seasonal vegetables, or vibrant cut flowers, their produce is sought after by local restaurants, grocers, farmers' markets, catering companies, floral designers, garden centers, and cottage industries throughout North Bay and beyond.

The farm’s mission is deeply rooted in strengthening the local food economy and contributing to community well-being. Jeannie and Donovan see farming as both a livelihood and a responsibility—to produce nourishing food while stewarding the land and environment. Their crops travel very few miles from farm to fork, significantly reducing their carbon footprint and supporting a circular economy. By purchasing from local and regional suppliers and collaborating with other producers, Earth and Soul Farm ensures that the economic benefits of their work stay within the community.

Over the years, Earth and Soul Farm has continually evolved to meet growing demand and adapt to challenges. After testing microgreens during their first tough summer as farmers’ market vendors, the farm quickly found a niche and became a consistent presence at the North Bay Farmers’ Market. They expanded into field crops, added cut flowers, and built lasting relationships with local businesses. Each week, they sell out of microgreens well before the market ends, a testament to their product quality and local support.

The farm’s most recent growth was marked by a move in 2022 to a larger property in West Nipissing, setting the stage for future expansion. They acquired hydroponic equipment to increase leafy greens production, though the system currently operates at reduced capacity while they seek additional investment to scale up fully. A loan from the Fair Finance Fund is now supporting critical next steps in this expansion, allowing the farm to enhance productivity, build resilience, and deepen its community impact.

Each week at the North Bay Farmers Market, Earth and Soul Farms regularly sells out of their microgreen offerings before the market is halfway through. They hope to expand production to better meet the high demand of their community.

One of the funded initiatives, Project Automation, will automate repetitive tasks in their hydroponic systems, freeing up four hours of labour each day that can be redirected to growing and harvesting crops. This innovation not only boosts productivity but also supports farm workers well-being by reducing physical strain. Simultaneously, Project Lean-to Greenhouse—which has already begun construction—will add another 512 square feet of hydroponic growing space. This expansion, partially funded through the Rural Agri-Innovation Network’s SNAPP program, will increase the farm’s capacity to supply fresh produce year-round to local markets.

Recognizing that farming is inherently vulnerable to disruption, Earth and Soul Farm also prioritizes financial stabilization. Like many modern farms reliant on technology, their biggest risk stems from equipment failures—hydroponic systems, cooling units, or irrigation components. Building redundancy and having backup capacity is essential to minimizing crop loss when challenges arise.

Environmental sustainability is woven throughout Earth and Soul Farm’s operations. Their hydroponic systems use minimal pesticides, protecting ecosystems while producing clean, healthy greens. They track and repurpose operational byproducts—like growing substrate, nutrient runoff, heat from LED lights, and dehumidifier condensate—to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency. Even food waste is accounted for, reinforcing their commitment to a closed-loop system.

Ultimately, Earth and Soul Farm’s vision is clear: to be a cornerstone of the local food system in West Nipissing and North Bay, providing essential nutrition while helping to build a stronger, more resilient community. With continued investment, they aim to create jobs, support local suppliers, and recirculate over a million dollars in food sales within Ontario, proving that small farms can have a big impact.