A Holistic Approach to Business and Farming
“Living the dream” is a phrase we have heard often from friends who have watched us develop this farm into what it is today. Our dream is deeply rooted in permaculture ethics - Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share.
Earth Care in essence means caring for the living soil and is measured by how much life lives in the soil. For us this means only biodegradable, organic materials are added to our hop yard and gardens, such as compost and animal manure. Instead of treated poles in the hop yard, we use selectively harvested poles from our woodlot that are charred. People Care implies that if we meet the needs of our customers, our workers, and ourselves in simple and compassionate ways, the environment and everyone will prosper. Lastly, Fair Share means taking what we need and sharing what we don’t, and recognising that there are limits to how much we can give and how much we can take.
And if you know Bill and Laurie, you will also know that they are very connected to the land and deeply committed to sustainable economic development. It’s a path they were both on as individuals before joining as a couple, and one they now share and proudly use as a foundation for their business. In fact, they offer permaculture workshops and consulting services as part of their business, and fully recognize that that the goal is not perfection, but progress and that making learning fun is a surefire way to success. That's why hosting live music events and beer tastings is a regular activity at Hazelton Hops!
To learn more about Permaculture, visit these websites: