About us
How we started
Neighbourly is still in its early years – just a toddler, really! It was founded in 2022 by a local individual with a big vision of farm co-ownership and enough money to launch it by buying the land (two farm properties, side by side – which is how the name arose).
Since then, the vision has been slowly manifesting with the arrival of each new household.
The first years were focused on improving the housing options, and now we are busy getting the word out to more ecological farmers and entrepreneurs about this little village growing in Grey County.
How it works
To us, “land access” must offer:
- secure and affordable onsite housing
- long-term land agreement
- opportunity to recoup investments in infrastructure
The organizational framework has been carefully developed to balance rights and responsibilities, independence and community, freedom and commitment. It is not trying to suit everyone who just wants to live on the land. More about that here.
The consensus among the folks already there is that the village aspect of it feels enriching and rewarding, a benefit of being there, not an inconvenience or restriction.
who we are
I became a farmer to pursue my interest in growing good food, feeding and growing community, and nourishing the soil.
Nice Things Farm
Maxine is an experienced organic market gardener growing vegetables, herbs and flowers. She moved to Neighbourly in 2024 with her partner Craig and dog Coco to start up her own enterprise.
Maxine started out with one acre in cultivation, and was out planting garlic a month before she even moved in.
You can find Maxine at Georgetown Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings, May through October.
Follow Nice Things Farm on Instagram.
Christian and Ally are first-generation farmers who felt the call to align their lifestyle in a way that mirrored the inner connection they were experiencing with the world. They operate a mixed regenerative livestock operation consisting of cattle, pigs, and chickens.
They believe in being self-sufficient and sovereign. By taking responsibility for what we require at a basic level, farming reminds us of the simple truth that when we do the best we can every day with a free spirit, our life experience is rich in and of itself.
Our intention is to honour the circle of life by farming in nature’s image.
Magda
Because communal living at Whole Circle Farm could sometimes be challenging, we found it helpful to integrate the practice of non-violent communication.
Johann
We did a lot of new farmer training, and taught gardening, preserving and cooking skills to many enthusiastic young people. I am a fairly good mechanic and can fix most things except for electrical stuff.
Johann and Magda Kleinsasser are elders and caretakers of the land and other living beings at Neighbourly since 2022.
Johann grew up in western Canada on a conventional farm. His grandmother, an experienced midwife, was an active gardener who saved seeds and planted by the moon. In 1979, Johann moved to Community Farm in Ontario. He learned organic gardening under the guidance of Fred Kemp, and about biodynamic farming from Bernard Hack.
Magda moved with extended family from Alberta to Ontario when she was five. She learned sewing, crafting, gardening, seed-saving, and preserving.
During 2002-2018, Magda and Johann operated Whole Circle Farm, where they had cattle, pigs and chickens, and supplied a 200-plus member CSA.
How we started
Neighbourly is still in its early years – just a toddler, really! It was founded in 2022 by a local individual with a big vision of farm co-ownership and enough money to launch it by buying the land (two farm properties, side by side – which is how the name arose).
Since then, the vision has been slowly manifesting with the arrival of each new household.
The first years were focused on improving the housing options, and now we are busy getting the word out to more ecological farmers and entrepreneurs about this little village growing in Grey County.
How it works
To us, “land access” must offer:
- secure and affordable onsite housing
- long-term land agreement
- opportunity to recoup investments in infrastructure
The organizational framework has been carefully developed to balance rights and responsibilities, independence and community, freedom and commitment. It is not trying to suit everyone who just wants to live on the land. More about that here.
The consensus among the folks already there is that the village aspect of it feels enriching and rewarding, a benefit of being there, not an inconvenience or restriction.
who we are
Nice Things Farm
“I became a farmer to pursue my interest in growing good food, feeding and growing community, and nourishing the soil.”
Maxine is an experienced organic market gardener growing vegetables, herbs and flowers. She moved to Neighbourly in 2024 with her partner Craig and dog Coco to start up her own enterprise.
Maxine started out with one acre in cultivation, and was out planting garlic a month before she even moved in.
You can find Maxine at Georgetown Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings, May through October.
Follow Nice Things Farm on Instagram.
“Our intention is to honour the circle of life by farming in nature’s image.”
Christian and Ally are first-generation farmers who felt the call to align their lifestyle in a way that mirrored the inner connection they were experiencing with the world. They operate a mixed regenerative livestock operation consisting of cattle, pigs, and chickens.
They believe in being self-sufficient and sovereign. By taking responsibility for what we require at a basic level, farming reminds us of the simple truth that when we do the best we can every day with a free spirit, our life experience is rich in and of itself.
Magda
“Because communal living at Whole Circle Farm could sometimes be challenging, we found it helpful to integrate the practice of non-violent communication.”
Johann
“We did a lot of new farmer training, and taught gardening, preserving and cooking skills to many enthusiastic young people. I am a fairly good mechanic and can fix most things except for electrical stuff.”
Johann and Magda Kleinsasser are elders and caretakers of the land and other living beings at Neighbourly since 2022.
Johann grew up in western Canada on a conventional farm. His grandmother, an experienced midwife, was an active gardener who saved seeds and planted by the moon. In 1979, Johann moved to Community Farm in Ontario. He learned organic gardening under the guidance of Fred Kemp, and about biodynamic farming from Bernard Hack.
Magda moved with extended family from Alberta to Ontario when she was five. She learned sewing, crafting, gardening, seed-saving, and preserving.
During 2002-2018, Magda and Johann operated Whole Circle Farm, where they had cattle, pigs and chickens, and supplied a 200-plus member CSA.