Pamoja means “together” in Swahili

Growing food, farmers and community together.

Pamoja Canada is a not-for-profit that teaches young people to farm, brings healthy organic food to families who need it, and opens the farm gate to anyone who wants to help.

Donate today Volunteer with us
A young woman smiling in a green vegetable field
A smiling young farmer in a straw hat
100 acresof organic farmland in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario

Good food, and the know-how to grow it, should belong to everyone.

We work to build food sovereignty and food security in our communities by connecting people with land, farming skills and fresh, organically grown food. Everything we do runs on a not-for-profit basis: every dollar goes back into our programs.

Food access

Community food programs and distribution that get fresh, local food to people facing barriers to it.

Farm education

Hands-on training, workshops and mentorship in organic farming, gardening and sustainable food production.

Youth & community

Volunteer days and learning experiences that bring students, families and neighbours onto the land.

Partnerships

Working alongside farmers, schools, community groups and businesses to build resilient local food systems.

A young man tending seedlings inside a greenhouse
Three smiling children outdoors

Youth farm training

Our flagship program puts young people on a working organic farm, learning by doing. They leave with real skills, a feel for the land, and maybe a future in food.

  • Organic growing methods
  • Soil health and composting
  • Seed starting and greenhouse work
  • Planting, tending and harvest
  • Environmental stewardship
  • Mentorship from working farmers
Ask about the program

A growing season with Pamoja

Participants follow the farm through the year, so they see how food actually comes to be, from bare soil to a full crate.

  1. Gloved hands planting a seedling in dark soil

    1Spring

    Soil and seed

    Preparing beds, building compost and starting seedlings.

  2. A farmer carrying seedling trays in a greenhouse

    2Early summer

    Planting out

    Moving young plants from greenhouse to field, row by row.

  3. People working together among rows of cabbage

    3Summer

    Tending and learning

    Watering, weeding and watching what the plants need.

  4. A wooden crate full of tomatoes and peppers

    4Fall

    Harvest and share

    Bringing in the crop and getting it to tables in our community.

Two farmers holding a crate of fresh vegetables
Fresh zucchini, peppers and tomatoes

Fresh food that reaches every table

Too many families can’t easily get fresh, healthy food. We’re working to change that, locally.

  • Community food programsSharing organically grown produce with people and neighbourhoods facing barriers to food access.
  • Farmer partnershipsWorking with local farmers and agricultural groups to move more good food into our communities.
  • Learning about foodWorkshops on healthy eating, food systems and why local, sustainable food matters.
Long green crop rows stretching to the horizon under a blue sky

Rooted at Pamoja Farms

Our programs take place at Pamoja Farms, a 100-acre organic farm and community co-operative in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, northeast of Toronto. It’s a working farm, which makes it a classroom like no other.

100 acresOrganic practicesCommunity co-operativeKawartha Lakes, ON

Get involved

There’s a place for you here, whether you’ve got an afternoon, a classroom full of students, or an organization that wants to help.

Gloved hands planting in fresh soil

Volunteer on the farm

Individuals, families, students and groups are welcome to plant, harvest and help with community food days.

Sign up to volunteer
A smiling woman holding freshly harvested greens in a greenhouse

Partner with us

Schools, community organizations, farmers and businesses: let’s build programs together.

Start a partnership
Rows of young crops on open farmland

Give a gift

Donations fund youth training, seeds and tools, and fresh food for families who need it most.

Make a donation

Let’s grow something together

Questions, ideas, a group that wants to visit? We’d love to hear from you.

Or call us at 1-888-416-7967

Where we farmPamoja Farms, Kawartha Lakes, Ontario
Our farm partnerpamojafarms.ca