AgriCultural PlacemakingR.E.A.L. Community Ecosystems. R.E.A.L. Community Experiences.
The Four Pillars
Read more about our projects below.
Our Mission
The HopeTowns Initiative aims to restore the historic, cultural connection between heritage main streets and their surrounding agricultural watersheds, through the programmatic delivery of destination experiences combining Agriculture, Architecture, Art and Hospitality.
We will create geographically-specific, vertically-integrated, R.E.A.L. Food Ecosystems that: restore health to our soil and water; provide dignity and prosperity to farmers and workers; and encourage economic, social, and cultural vibrancy in rural communities.
We will prototype the HopeTowns Community Model in Port Hope, Ontario. Our vision is to replicate it across a nationwide terroir/merroir network.
1. Agriculture
Goals
- To transition watershed agricultural lands to Regenerative practices, field by field and town by town.
- To grow our food in a way that builds the health of our soils, thereby sequestering carbon and replenishing our fresh water supply.
- To vertically integrate production and supply chains, town by town.
- To create local demand/market, town by town.
Integrated Land Project
The Integrated Land Project helps landowners see regenerative agriculture as part of a complex conservation plan. In partnership with the Michael Young Family Foundation, The Kawartha Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy of Canada, and the Canadian Centre for Land Conservation.
The Lakeshore Eco Farm and Lodge
Just on the western edge of Port Hope with 4200 feet of pristine waterfront, this project will include a multi-enterprise regenerative farm, educational programming, and an on-farm culinary eco lodge.
The Emily Lake Eco Ranch
This project will convert 700 acres of industrial farmland into a regenerative grazing operation. This system will then be integrated into a 2500 acre Eco Ranch with education and hospitality extensions. In partnership with South 50 Farms.
2. Architecture
Goals
- To envision and support progressive growth in our communities.
- To preserve and restore heritage built environments in our communities.
- To incorporate restored structures into the civic vibrancy of our communities.
- To build sustainable transportation infrastructure in our communities.
- To integrate sustainable and beautiful contemporary design into our historic architectural fabric
Port Hope Lakeshore Project
With the support of the Michael Young Family Foundation, and with the leadership of the celebrated urban design firm, brookmcilroy.com, HopeTowns will be working with community stakeholders to create a vision plan for the sustainable future of our community.
The Port Hope Music Hall
With the support of Shen Family Foundation and in association with the Architectural Conservancy Of Ontario, HopeTowns is restoring one of the most precious and vital heritage assets in town to its original glory and purpose.
3. Art
Goals
- To create, in each community, a year-round destination festival of Visual, Verbal, Musical and Culinary Arts.
- To provide our community with education and professional development programs in Visual, Verbal, Musical and Culinary Arts.
- To create a “Circuit” of democratic arts between our various HopeTowns communities.
4. Hospitality
Goals
- To establish highest quality R.E.A.L. Food and Beverage opportunities for the community and its visitors.
- To create, in each community, a unique hotel experience that capitalizes on the heritage built and natural environments of the community.
- To create a Wellness Centre that serves the community and is embedded into the R.E.A.L. Food and Lodging experiences of our visitors.
- To create a Terroir/Merroir Network of R.E.A.L. Communities across Canada.
The Main, 66 Walton Street, Port Hope
Our first Port Hope enterprise is this café’/bistro/gallery space, located in a lovingly restored storefront on the finest nineteenth century main street in Canada.
The Lakeshore Eco Farm and Lodge
Just on the western edge of Port Hope with 4200 feet of pristine waterfront, this project will include a multi-enterprise regenerative farm, educational programming, and an on-farm culinary eco lodge.
Our Team
The HopeTowns Initiative is a not-for-profit Canadian corporation. Its mission partner, HopeTowns Community Ventures (HCV), is a registered Canadian Charity #(749569133RR0001)
- Shelley Ambrose – Board (HCV)
- Laura Antonik – Website
- Sarah Copeland – Food
- David Crombie, O.C., O. Ont – Advisor
- Jake Deacon – Operations
- Carmen Djunko – Horticulture
- Roger Garland,C.M. – Board (HCV)
- Lee Higginson – Photography
- Gillian Kerr – Chair (HCV)
- Jamie Kennedy, C.M.- Advisor
- Alan Leung – Architecture
- John Lounds - Advisor
- Sam Marinucci, CPA – Board (HCV)
- Graeme Page- Fundraising
- David Pamenter – Legal
- Albert Schultz, C.M. – Vision
- Jamie Sculthorpe – Agriculture
- Eleanor Shen – Board (HCV)
- Doug Simpson – Strategy
- Rod Stewart - Restoration