Mission Statement, Goals & Objectives

Mission Statement

We have come together at Everdale Learning Centre to create an exemplary, not-for-profit facility for co-operative education. We strive to demonstrate, in practical ways, the enormous promise of sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and alternative building methods. We shall provide a variety of hands-on educational experiences (such as intensive apprenticeships, short courses, workshops, and school field trips) for people of all ages, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are committed to forging partnerships with other educators and working together democratically, in an open, questing spirit.

Statement of Goals and Objectives

We have come together to revive Everdale Place (Canada's first free school) by establishing an exemplary project of co-operation in sustainable living. Over the course of several years, we intend to:

• Fulfill Everdale's educational mandate by offering a variety of hands-on educational experiences (such as workshops, seminars and apprenticeships) to teach best practices in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and alternative building methods; and by creating working demonstration models o­n site to showcase environmentally sound technologies.
• Return the fields to cultivation, replenish the soil and grow fruits, vegetables and herbs o­n a working certified organic farm; promote the health of the land by planting indigenous trees and shrubs, providing a diverse habitat for insects, birds and animals;
• Repair the buildings and retrofit them so that they are more energy-efficient;
• Forge partnerships with progressive food organizations to grow crops for urban food programs and open market sale;
• Form co-operative relations with local citizens, both farmers and food-consumers, contributing to our community; and,
• Work together in an egalitarian, questing spirit in the best traditions of Everdale School.