Help Maggie and Johann Move on
Donation protected
Whole Circle Farm and Maggie and Johann Kleinsasser have supported their community for many years, growing amazing, nutritious food, educating new farmers and bringing their knowledge of stewardship and love into the community. As Whole Circle comes to a close, help support Maggie and Johann transition to a new home and get started with their next phase. Over the years, Maggie and Johann have poured all of their energy, love, and funds into Whole Circle Farm, into education, and into the community, and haven't kept much for themselves, so we'd like to take this opportunity to show our gratitude by giving back and helping make something great happen for them!
As you may know, the Whole Circle Farm property was put up for sale by the landowner some time ago, which caused uncertainty about the future of the farm business. For over a year, many different people and groups have been involved in trying to raise funds/find investors to purchase the property so that Maggie and Johann could stay there and continue to run Whole Circle Farm. However, after many meetings and proposals involving various investors and supporters, it has become clear that, unfortunately, the purchase of the land will not be possible.
As a result, Maggie and Johann are currently in the process of selling their equipment, infrastructure, and livestock, and preparing to relocate. They aren't yet certain where they will go or what they will do next, but, as always, they trust that the universe is unfolding exactly as it should.
Who are we?
We are a group of mostly former farm managers (2005-2017) who have lived, worked, loved, and learned at Whole Circle Farm. Our group is called Friends of Whole Circle Farm.
MEET MAGGIE AND JOHANN!
Maggie and Johann Kleinsasser are two of the most amazing farmers (and people!) we know. They have been farming their entire lives, but in 2002, they founded their own farm business, Whole Circle Farm, on rented land near Acton, Ontario, Canada. They farm organically and biodynamically, and they have trained dozens of young people to farm sustainably over the years.
WHY WE LOVE THEM, AND THE FARM
Maggie and Johann are incredibly special people. They have farmed since childhood, and they understand the true meaning of farming and community. They founded Whole Circle Farm in 2002, and they have devoted themselves to teaching and training young people to farm sustainably ever since. They have mentored dozens of new farmers over the years, many of whom have gone on to start sustainable farms of their own, and many of whom view Maggie and Johann as their "second parents", even many years later. In fact, the group that has formed to raise funds for the farm is comprised mainly of former farm managers that were mentored by Maggie and Johann over many years (2005-2017).
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF WHOLE CIRCLE FARM
Whole Circle Farm is a true, wholesome, old-fashioned farm, in the sense that it produced virtually everything that a farm can possibly grow or raise: cattle, pigs, chickens, eggs, grain, hay, vegetables, fruit, herbs, seeds, honey, and maple syrup. Because of this incredible diversity, the farm interns and employees always had an amazing farming experience: they could pursue anything that they were interested in learning, and Maggie and Johann had a deep wealth of knowledge and expertise to guide them.
Many of these interns went on to start their own farms, food festivals, apiaries, and bakeries, all focused on promoting the importance of locally grown food and spreading the wisdom of Whole Circle Farm.
In addition to their openness and willingness to educate new farmers about organic and biodynamic farming methods, Maggie and Johann also have so much to offer in terms of their unique perspective on life in general. I don't think anyone who has spent significant time with them can say that they weren't changed in a meaningful way just by knowing Maggie and Johann. They are just fundamentally good people, they don't know how to be anything else. They are generous to a fault: they will give, give, give, even when this means that they won't have enough for themselves later. They see the world in terms of abundance, not scarcity, they see the good in all people, no matter how difficult this may be, and they infuse joy into everything they do. They also have an amazing capacity to learn, to change, to adapt, to accept, to love. They have been (and continue to be) an inspiration to so many.
The farm has produced an abundance of delicious, nutritious, and sustainable food over the years, for hundreds and hundreds of people. Whole Circle Farm has had a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program for many years, sometimes throughout all four seasons of the year. The farm has attended many popular farmers' markets, including the Georgetown Farmers' Market and Toronto's Wychwood Barns. There is also a farm store on the property, where people can come and buy farm products anytime.
WHERE YOUR MONEY WILL GO
Your money will support Maggie and Johann as they transition to a new phase of their lives. We will be giving the money to them to use as they require to make the move from Whole Circle Farm to a new home and new phase.
Thank you!
Friends of Whole Circle Farm
P.S. Click here to see a short video of farm highlights, and click here to see testimonials from previous interns and employees.
(Click the "back" button to return to this page.)
As you may know, the Whole Circle Farm property was put up for sale by the landowner some time ago, which caused uncertainty about the future of the farm business. For over a year, many different people and groups have been involved in trying to raise funds/find investors to purchase the property so that Maggie and Johann could stay there and continue to run Whole Circle Farm. However, after many meetings and proposals involving various investors and supporters, it has become clear that, unfortunately, the purchase of the land will not be possible.
As a result, Maggie and Johann are currently in the process of selling their equipment, infrastructure, and livestock, and preparing to relocate. They aren't yet certain where they will go or what they will do next, but, as always, they trust that the universe is unfolding exactly as it should.
Who are we?
We are a group of mostly former farm managers (2005-2017) who have lived, worked, loved, and learned at Whole Circle Farm. Our group is called Friends of Whole Circle Farm.
MEET MAGGIE AND JOHANN!
Maggie and Johann Kleinsasser are two of the most amazing farmers (and people!) we know. They have been farming their entire lives, but in 2002, they founded their own farm business, Whole Circle Farm, on rented land near Acton, Ontario, Canada. They farm organically and biodynamically, and they have trained dozens of young people to farm sustainably over the years.
WHY WE LOVE THEM, AND THE FARM
Maggie and Johann are incredibly special people. They have farmed since childhood, and they understand the true meaning of farming and community. They founded Whole Circle Farm in 2002, and they have devoted themselves to teaching and training young people to farm sustainably ever since. They have mentored dozens of new farmers over the years, many of whom have gone on to start sustainable farms of their own, and many of whom view Maggie and Johann as their "second parents", even many years later. In fact, the group that has formed to raise funds for the farm is comprised mainly of former farm managers that were mentored by Maggie and Johann over many years (2005-2017).
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF WHOLE CIRCLE FARMWhole Circle Farm is a true, wholesome, old-fashioned farm, in the sense that it produced virtually everything that a farm can possibly grow or raise: cattle, pigs, chickens, eggs, grain, hay, vegetables, fruit, herbs, seeds, honey, and maple syrup. Because of this incredible diversity, the farm interns and employees always had an amazing farming experience: they could pursue anything that they were interested in learning, and Maggie and Johann had a deep wealth of knowledge and expertise to guide them.
Many of these interns went on to start their own farms, food festivals, apiaries, and bakeries, all focused on promoting the importance of locally grown food and spreading the wisdom of Whole Circle Farm.
In addition to their openness and willingness to educate new farmers about organic and biodynamic farming methods, Maggie and Johann also have so much to offer in terms of their unique perspective on life in general. I don't think anyone who has spent significant time with them can say that they weren't changed in a meaningful way just by knowing Maggie and Johann. They are just fundamentally good people, they don't know how to be anything else. They are generous to a fault: they will give, give, give, even when this means that they won't have enough for themselves later. They see the world in terms of abundance, not scarcity, they see the good in all people, no matter how difficult this may be, and they infuse joy into everything they do. They also have an amazing capacity to learn, to change, to adapt, to accept, to love. They have been (and continue to be) an inspiration to so many.
The farm has produced an abundance of delicious, nutritious, and sustainable food over the years, for hundreds and hundreds of people. Whole Circle Farm has had a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program for many years, sometimes throughout all four seasons of the year. The farm has attended many popular farmers' markets, including the Georgetown Farmers' Market and Toronto's Wychwood Barns. There is also a farm store on the property, where people can come and buy farm products anytime.
WHERE YOUR MONEY WILL GO
Your money will support Maggie and Johann as they transition to a new phase of their lives. We will be giving the money to them to use as they require to make the move from Whole Circle Farm to a new home and new phase.
Thank you!
Friends of Whole Circle Farm
P.S. Click here to see a short video of farm highlights, and click here to see testimonials from previous interns and employees.
(Click the "back" button to return to this page.)
Fundraising team: Friends of Whole Circle Farm (2)
Leslie Moskovits
Organizer
Acton, ON
Ali English
Beneficiary
Jocelyn Leney
Team member
