Christine Whelan FEO, September 29, 2022, VOL. 4 ISSUE 3
For close to 30 years, I CAN-T.E.R., located at 1234 House Road, on the western outskirts of Ridgeway, has been providing inclusive therapeutic educational and recreational farm-based programming on its 87 acres of grassland, wetland, forest, farmland, and trails, all environmentally and sustainably farmed and managed.
Karen van der Zalm, Executive Director of I CAN-T.E.R. since 2015, shared that they are very excited to now provide this extension of experience.
“Our programs have primarily focused on equine experiences for individuals facing barriers that include recreational therapeutic riding, cart driving with miniature and draft horses, equine wellness experiences, summer day camps, group outings, horse groom apprenticeship and employment training.
“We have seen firsthand the positive and life-changing impact the horses, the farm and all I CAN-T.E.R. offers have had on individuals who enter our farm gates.
However, she stated, only the farm can be seen from the front. “Most think it’s just therapeutic riding, but it’s so much more.
A Time of Change
“During COVID, we began to look at what the community needed and will need to recover from the pandemic. As many of us realized, it was the return to simplicity and nature. We also had to quickly create new revenue streams for I CAN-T.E.R. to recover financially from the impact of the lockdowns. We wanted to stay within our mission and not lose sight of what we do here on the farm.”
Through a core group of dedicated staff, talented contractors, countless volunteer hours, grants, and extremely generous donations, I CAN-T.E.R. repurposed two outbuildings and converted them into spaces for Farm Stay Retreats and Group Camping.
The Buildings
“We have a Barn Yard Cottage that accommodates two, with electricity, fridge, outdoor kitchen, and a covered deck that overlooks Beaver Creek and the farm yard. It would be a great writer’s retreat, not elaborate but quiet.
“We are also offering overnight stays at the Creek Side Cabin, a private two-room off-grid cabin with solar lighting and a wood stove along Beaver Creek’s edge. This one is more rustic. There’s no running water. There’s solar lighting and a pot belly wood stove. It’s got beautiful, outdoor space that’s cleared and gorgeous and private.”
“The last one we’re offering is a group campsite out on our fifty-acre walking trail system that has wetlands, grasslands, and a clearing. It has a shelter, five picnic tables, and a camp area with a firepit for tents on a beautiful naturalization site. It would be suitable for a family that wants to go camping as a group, naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts.”
In addition, through the David S. Howe Grant and the Niagara Community Foundation, the fifty-acre trail system was enhanced and expanded to offer a year-round nature centre that includes recreational activities like hiking, bird watching, cart driving, sunflower trail, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Karen added, “The birding here is incredible, for spring and fall migration.”
Educational Component
“Along with the farm stays, we are really trying to bring in the educational and nature component. We would like to offer people little seminars, say if they’re interested in learning more about horses or grooming. We also have an organic garden plot. Maybe they want to do some outdoor cooking.”
Karen listed a wide variety of hands-on activities guests can choose from egg collection, vegetable planting and harvesting, foraging, outdoor cooking, tree planting, native plant identification, habitats and ecosystems. In addition, they will be offerings for hands-on experiences with the amazing horses that will include grooming sessions and cart rides.
“We have to keep the educational component. We are a registered charity.” She explained I CAN-T.E.R. is not about offering Airbnb services.
The Experience
While now is a good time to connect with I CAN-T.E.R. to start looking at next year, Karen reminds Fort Erie, this year is not yet over.
Currently, there are nine therapy horses and a hen house for organic egg production. They also have several small-scale organic garden plots where they grow produce and cut flowers for community farmers’ markets.
Karen shared, “This year we’ve gone to the Stevensville and Port Colborne Farmers’ Markets with our goods. We’ll be expanding our gardens to twice the size next year. We’re very excited about that. This will provide more opportunities for people to participate in gardening. They can also choose tree planting.”
I CAN-T.E.R. is totally environmentally sustainable. “There would be restrictions on what could be brought in. We really want to promote minimalist living and have little impact on the environment. Learning how to camp sustainably is really important. For instance, we’ll have a no water bottle policy and people, as in other campgrounds, will have to take their garbage with them.”
The farm stays are available on weekends only, two-night stays. “We’re so busy during the week.”
Challenge
“Our gardens have everything you need for the weekend.” They’ve challenged people to not bring anything for the weekend.
“In the one cabin, there is no refrigerator so it’s like when you go camping, you have a cooler.”
These are essential life skills.
Karen explained their future intentions. “We are doing a trial launch this year. Next year, what we want to do, is for three weekends out of the month have the cabins rented and then for the fourth weekend have a sponsorship. So, it would go to an organization or charity to offer an experience for people who otherwise would not be able to go camping or to a cabin.
“We haven’t connected with other organizations yet, but that’s where we’re going.”
At the end of the day…
At the end of the day, after I CAN-T.E.R.’s gates close, there’s a whole world going on back there. The pastures, the forests, the wetlands, the gardens, the creek and the ponds are still humming with activity. “There is beauty all around I CAN-T.E.R., from sunrise to sunset and beyond and we want to share that with those who crave it and need it in their lives.”
Karen took a moment of gratitude and expressed it to those who helped make it all happen. “I want to thank all the volunteers that have been helping and those providing generous donations.”
The first phase of the Beaver Creek Restoration Project, a tree-planting project that brought Sustainable Fort Erie, Sassafras Farms, and the Ridgeway Sparks and Brownies together in partnership back in the spring is just wrapping up. Karen shared that they are going to re-apply for the next phase and try to make it all the way to Ott Road, from House Road to Ott Road.
I CAN-T.E.R. would like to invite the community for a pre-booked farm tour and nature hike on Thanksgiving Sunday, October 9th and Monday, October 10th from 10:00-4:00. Cottages and campsites will be open for viewing, and there will be a campfire and opportunity to visit the horses, along with a free draw for a one-night stay in each.
There will be two offerings, a morning tour from 10:00-12:00 and an afternoon tour from 2:00-4:00. Tours are on a suggested donation of $25 per group.
Those interested in booking a tour can email karen@icanter.ca
You can also find I CAN-T.E.R. on Facebook and view their website at www.incanter.ca
Photo provided by Karen van der Zalm
