Faces of GoodWork
Juniper Turgeon, Ecological Farmer & Entrepreneur

“Following graduation in 2001 and later in 2003 in my early 20's from environmental studies and restoration ecology, I was on the hunt for a job that fit my environmental ethic and passion to do something good for the world. I came across GoodWork and applied for my first flurry of eco jobs.

I got a job as an environmental educator at the Toronto Botanical Gardens and following that at EcoSource in Mississauga. Being able to find these people, jobs and places molded my entire world including lifelong connections, friendships and even my life partner.

Years rolled by and I moved and changed positions but I always looked for jobs still through GoodWork. In 2005-2007 I worked for Canadian Organic Growers and Just Food (formerly Ottawa Food Security Council).

After starting my own farm and needing to hire like-minded staff, I turned to GoodWork again and it has been the only place we have ever posted and we have found all of our (over 85) farm staff almost entirely through this channel for the past 16 years.

To say GoodWork has impacted my life is an understatement. You have made a place where people trust that we are working towards a common goal which is doing good for nature, the planet and its people.”

– Juniper Turgeon, 2021

About Juniper Farm

Juniper Farm is made up of a diverse landscape of annual vegetable gardens, perennial beds, animal pasture, beehives, forested woodlands, meadows, ravines, wetlands and streams. This particular farmland throughout generations, has seen many incarnations of informal organic agriculture, before being purchased and established in 2010 by Juniper Turgeon and Alex Mackay-Smith. Prior to that, the two farmers had established Juniper Farm on another smaller parcel of land in 2006. This is the story of their journey into farming; with enthusiasm and trust the journey continues.

Juniper and Alex approach farming from an organic and biodynamic perspective: based on enlivening relationships between humans and the earth, while transforming the practice and culture of agriculture to renew the vitality of the earth, the integrity of our food, and the health and wholeness of our communities.

At Juniper Farm we serve our greater community by growing vegetables, fruit, meat, and eggs. We sell through multiple venues, create our fermented foods line, and offer experiences and connection to the farm through various events, dinners, festivals, workshops, and artistic partnerships.