Keystone Acres is a small-scale farm located in Sheffield, Ontario. We grow a variety of fruits and vegetables which we sell at the farm stand on our property, and through this website. We do not use any sprays or chemicals on our plants. In addition to growing food, we dedicate half of our land to rewilding through planting of native species, with special consideration given to keystone species.
What is a keystone species?
A keystone species is defined as a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically. Our goal is to dedicate half of our land to growing native plants, focusing on keystone species. By bringing these species back to the land, we hope to take the first step in restoring some of the damage done to the local ecosystem.
Who are we?
We are a pair of Canadians who are passionate about our local ecosystems and decided to take action. We purchased 10 acres of land in November 2024 and currently have three projects underway:
- Market Garden – Alan is working to grow fresh, local produce using no sprays or chemicals. Alan has spent years working on his suburban gardens and is embracing the chance to expand. By growing fruits and vegetables we are able to provide a service to our community while making an impact on the environment. Purchasing our produce dramatically reduces the environmental impact compared to traditional retail by limiting chemicals, sprays, transportation, and more.
- Wetland Restoration – We are teaming up with Ducks Unlimited Canada to restore the half of our property (a little over 4 acres) to its natural wetland environment. Our property backs on to a provincially significant wetland and we look to expand the footprint to provide more space for the local flora and fauna to thrive. To learn more, check out our Wetland page.
- Seed Orchard – Brittany will be working to create a native seed orchard which will supply seeds to future restoration projects in the area. More information will be available on the seed orchard in 2026.