Nestled in the rolling hills of Lanark County, Honeybee Homestead is on 275 acres of the unceded traditional Omàmìwininì (Algonquin) territory.
We share the space with Pat Furlong and Laurie Brownlee, the main stewards of the land, of Elphin Gold Farm.
Honeybee Homestead serves families seeking to deepen their relationships with ecosystems, landscapes, and Earth Beings we co-habitat with, build skills, and have a whole lotta fun while doing it!
Most activities and camps are for kids and youth, The Homesteader Series is for adults to build skills and family events are sprinkled throughout the year.
With gardens, forests, wetlands and fields, the landscape is home to many wildlife habitats and inhabitants plus home to a domestic herd of cows, a flock of hens and a farm dog.
Everyone is encouraged to learn with and from the land and to receive the teachings that they need at that time.
So…what’s in a name? Why Honeybee Homestead?
Fun fact.
The Greek origin of Melissa is honeybee. Pretty cool, eh! And did you know, the founder’s first name, that’s ME!, is Melissa?
Sooo, the story goes…
Naming The Homestead was on my mind. One morning, as I sat at the kitchen table, in the liminal space between finishing my breakfast and moving onto what’s next, out of the corner of my eye, a Valentine’s Day card made by one of the kids in The Hive caught my attention. It had a bee on it and said, ‘Bee mine’. Ah-ha! In that instant, knowing the Greek origins of Melissa, of course, Honeybee Homestead was born.
“Melissa’s calmness and down to earth personality set a positive tone and provided a welcoming environment for my child who couldn’t wait to get ‘back to camp’ the following day. You know it’s a good thing when your child says, ‘Mommy, I’d like to spend two weeks at camp with Melissa next summer instead of just one!’ An amazing experience to say the least and a wonderful opportunity to explore all that nature has to offer. Highly recommend! ”
Hi, I’m Melissa
the Honeybee that lives and breathes life into The Homestead. I’ve flown a distance to be here, from the suburbs of Toronto, to city living, to becoming a permanent resident and rural bumpkin. I’m so grateful to have landed here, in Lanark Highlands, and to call this place HOME!
Growing up in the suburbs of Toronto, I had no idea it would lead me to homesteading. Then again, homesteading can happen just about anywhere, as it’s more of a lifestyle and a mindset in modern days, rather than being attached to a certain landscape - at least that’s how I see it.
I fell in love nature and working with the land after a farm internship in 2009. With each season, my relationship deepens. Befriending plants, learning ways to be more self-sufficient, and creating and living life on my own terms, continues to be part of my journey.
Before moving to Honeybee Homestead, community development and arts facilitation were my jam. I worked with groups of children, youth, adults, and seniors, across the country and abroad, in gardens and kitchens, after-school groups building life skills, teaching adaptable and community dance classes, and leading children’s arts and dance camp at MERA Schoolhouse in McDonalds Corners for two years.
In more recent years, foraging and finding ways to give back to the land have stoked my internal fires. My teachings are from the knowledgeable folks at The Sacred Gardener, Chris Outdoors, and many herbalists at Heartwood Herbal Gathering - plus endless books, podcasts and on-going courses. Connecting with the plant people is one of my doors to staying in connection with the world at large.
My insatiable curiosity has me enrolled indefinitely in the School of Life. I’m always researching, learning, and approaching life as an experiment. It keeps things spicy and feeds me! When you visit The Homestead, you’ll get to see these many facets.
No matter what I find myself doing, connection and relationships are at the heART.
I can’t wait to meet and play with you!
First Aid + CPR Certification, last certified June 2022
Vulnerable Sector Check
BA International Development - Rural and Agricultural Development, University of Guelph