FiddleHead Nursery
Kimberley, Ontario, Canada
July 2024
Meet Ben Caesar, the heart and soul behind FiddleHead Nursery. Ben is a true steward of the land whose warmth and boundless passion breathe an abundance of life into every corner of his thriving nursery. FiddleHead is a permaculture plant nursery located in Kimberley, Ontario that specializes in edible, perennial plants, and designs low-maintenance, productive gardens. Ben’s journey into permaculture gardening was not merely a career choice but a calling—a commitment to cultivate a vibrant sanctuary that now after 13 years, the community cannot help but flock to. Join me in exploring the web of practices and principles that define Ben’s profound connection to FiddleHead Nursery.
What initially drew you to working with the land? Was it a gradual progression over time or was it something you always knew you would do?
I’d had a dream of homesteading since childhood. I’ve always loved nature, and spent much of my youth exploring the streams and swamps near my home in Elmira. A home surrounded by nature seemed like a dreamy prospect, so when the opportunity came along to buy a hobby farm I jumped at the chance. I was nervous, to be sure, to start a business growing plants and to try to make a living from the land, but I haven’t looked back. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made, and I feel tremendously lucky to be doing what I do.
Can you share a pivotal moment or experience that shaped your decision to pursue permaculture gardening?
When I first moved to Guelph in 2003, Ahren Hughes called me up out of the blue to ask if I’d like to help him plant a field of nut trees. His dad had worked with my dad, so we’d heard of each other but hadn’t met in person. I eagerly agreed, and we’ve been friends ever since. It was Ahren who introduced me to permaculture, and the idea that an edible landscape can be designed to act like a natural ecosystem. Ahren’s a wonderful person, and he inspired me to become a permaculture gardener. Meeting him was a pivotal moment in my life.
Are there any individuals or mentors who have inspired or influenced your approach to farming or life in general?
I have a number of ‘gurus’ who’ve changed the way I garden and see the world. I’m a bookish guy, so all of them have written books I’ve found transformational. The most influential for me has been Samual Thayer. He’s one of the most respected writers in the foraging community, and his books detail not just the practical aspects of identifying and using edible wild plants, but also an intricate philosophy of how humans should integrate themselves with the natural world. Another of my literary heroes is Martin Crawford. He’s the director of the Agroforestry Research Trust in England. He’s done more than any other to articulate the design strategies involved in creating edible ecosystems. His books make a very complex topic accessible. The other guru I’ll mention is Eric Toensmeier. He’s a writer and researcher on perennial agriculture, and has written extensively on how a global shift from annual to perennial farming could help sequester vast amounts of carbon while building soil and growing nutrient-dense food. He also wrote the first book on perennial vegetables, which has greatly influenced the diverse range of crops I grow at the nursery.
How do you feel your work has contributed to your community or the environment?
I enjoy knowing that I’ve enabled many gardeners to grow more food for themselves. Any food produced outside of the industrial farming system is a win for the environment and human health. The adoption of perennial vegetables requires a mind-shift; many people have plants in their ornamental gardens that are used as vegetables in other parts of the world. All we’re lacking is the knowledge about how to use them. So I’m heartened to know that I’ve inspired others to start using their perennial vegetables in the kitchen.
How does permaculture contribute to environmental stewardship?
Permaculture is a design system that places humans squarely within the natural world; it serves as an example of how we can emulate natural systems to provide for ourselves. It increases the resilience of the landscapes that surround us, as well as our own health. However, it’s important to note that it’s not a systemic solution; the destruction of the natural world is happening at such a whirlwind pace that I believe we all need to be putting pressure on governments at all levels to protect and restore the ecosystems upon which we all depend. Grassroots approaches like permaculture can contribute meaningfully to ecological stewardship only within the context of top-down environmental protection.
Do you often have helpers and/or volunteers on your farm? Can you tell me how that impacts your day to day? Is it important for you to have help?
I’ve welcomed volunteers from all over the world from the beginning. I’m a host for Wwoofers (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms); they come for an education, and help out with running the business in exchange for room and board. It’s been really wonderful to meet like-minded people from various backgrounds and cultures, and they’ve been instrumental in the daily operation of the nursery. I wouldn’t be able to do it without the generous contributions of these volunteers.
Do you host or provide any educational experiences for the community? If so, tell me more about those opportunities.
I run workshops on designing edible landscapes about once a month during the growing season. The workshops are 3 hours in length, and go into detail about how to use permaculture design to create low-maintenance gardens that mimic the structure and function of natural ecosystems while providing food and other useful products. I also run a workshop on plant propagation every August, and offer 20-minute tasting tours of the gardens, where I offer samples of some of the strange and wonderful vegetables that grow here.
Apart from permaculture, what other passions or interests do you have that influence your life and work?
I have a deep love of nature, so I frequently go hiking on local trails and canoeing in local rivers. I’m also a carpenter, (which is how I make my living in the winter). I love natural building and using reclaimed materials, and I’m fascinated by passive solar design. I’m a literature buff, and love the arts in general. I’m involved in some local environmental movements, such as the fight to save the former Talisman ski hill from a proposed large-scale subdivision. I’m also a co-founder of the local Strong Towns group, which seeks to encourage appropriate and sustainable growth patterns by changing municipal planning rules and by-laws.
Is there a piece of advice or a lesson learned that you’d like to share with others who are interested in sustainable living or permaculture farming?
I always encourage new gardeners to start small. Gardens take a lot of work, but can be created on any scale, so planting and managing a small patch in the first year will give one the confidence to expand the next year. A lot of people are intimidated by the idea of ‘edible forest gardening,’ as if you have to plant a whole forest of edibles to get started. This isn’t the case at all; it can be as simple as planting a black currant bush and a few sorrel plants (for example) and learning how to make use of them in the kitchen.
When you look back on your journey so far, what achievements or moments are you most proud of?
I’m very pleased with the results of planting seedless grape vines in the greenhouse for shade, fruit production and beauty. I’ve always loved seedless grapes, and these vines have out-performed my wildest expectations.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for your farm and your personal growth? How do you envision your role in the broader movement towards sustainable agriculture and living?
I’m not interested in growing my business, to be honest. The scale of this operation is small, and I like it that way. I’m able to operate it without much stress, and my needs are modest, so I’m happy with things as they are. However, I love experimenting with new plants, and I always have building projects in mind, so I do feel as though I’m making steady progress.
Ben picking berries off one of his fruit trees
