Our
Sustainable Homestead
Farm

Nestled in the historic farming community of Cormack, Newfoundland, Mark and Lauralee began their journey toward self-sustainability in 2012, when they purchased their 6-acre homestead. With a passion for sustainable living and a desire to lower their carbon footprint, they carefully built their homestead using locally sourced lumber and repurposed materials. This has become the heart of their FarmStay Bed and Breakfast (established in 2020), where visitors can immerse themselves in authentic farm-to-table experiences and witness sustainable farming practices firsthand.

Commitment to Sustainable Farming and Local Food Security

At Upper Humber Settlement, Mark and Lauralee are deeply connected to their community and are committed to contributing to local food security in Newfoundland. In 2020, they proudly registered their homestead as a small farm under Newfoundland and Labrador’s farming regulations. Their farm practices focus on growing food naturally, without the use of harmful pesticides or herbicides. Through regenerative agriculture and permaculture methods, they are able to grow fresh, healthy produce while reducing their environmental impact.

A Journey Toward Permaculture and Regenerative Agriculture

Mark and Lauralee’s dedication to sustainable farming extends beyond their homestead in Cormack. After working abroad and studying permaculture design principles, they have carefully applied these methods to their farm. The Settlement NL embraces innovative agricultural techniques, such as no-dig gardening, regenerative farming practices, and water harvesting systems. These practices allow them to grow nutrient-dense food while improving soil health and conserving water.

Farm-to-Table Experiences and Cultural Culinary Tours

Mark and Lauralee are proud to share their rich farming heritage through cultural culinary experiences at their FarmStay B&B. Guests can enjoy the flavors of Newfoundland with farm-to-table meals prepared using fresh, seasonal ingredients grown on their property. Whether you're enjoying a hearty breakfast made from their farm-fresh eggs or learning about the history of the land, the experiences at Upper Humber Settlement will leave you feeling more connected to the region’s farming roots.

Reducing Waste and Promoting Sustainability

At Upper Humber Settlement, sustainability is at the core of everything they do. Mark and Lauralee are constantly striving to reduce waste by using mindful packaging and repurposing materials whenever possible. They are continuously exploring new ways to minimize their environmental footprint and promote sustainability in their farming practices and daily operations. Their journey toward self-sufficiency is ongoing, with each day bringing new opportunities to improve and innovate.

Fresh, Local Produce Delivered to Your Door – Join Our CSA Box Program

At Upper Humber Settlement, we believe in providing our guests and community members with the freshest, locally grown produce possible. Our CSA Box (Community Supported Agriculture) program is the perfect way to enjoy seasonal vegetables, farm-fresh eggs, herbs, and more—all while supporting sustainable farming practices right here in Cormack, Newfoundland.

Subscribe for a Farm Box

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No Dig Crop Beds

No Dig Gardening is Permaculture method of farming that was made famous by Charles Dowding. No dig gardening is very simple. Effectively, it's where you don't use a fork or spade to disturb or loosen the soil in any way, no digging. This method creates a great environment for micro-organisms, fungi and worms to thrive. Together, they work to feed the plant roots and enhance soil biology.

Regenerative Argiculture

Using a repurposed camper our hens have been living a nomadic lifestyle on the farm. Every 10-14 days we would pack their camper, roll up their electric solar powered fence and relocate them to a new section of the feild to forage new bugs and pasture, without wearing down the fields. The field as never looked greener as the chicks continue to amend the soil, adding manure and aerating the ground as the go. In the Fall, they get to enjoy old crop beds, eating pests and veggie leftovers.

Chemical - Free Commitment

We are committed to growing food Naturally without the use of pesticides or herbicides. It takes a lot of extra hard work but nature thanks us and so do our customers. Using row covers, companion planting, salt water, beer traps, and natural mulches such as wood chips and straw we work hard to prevent pest invasions and reduce the growth and spread of weeds

Permaculture Zoning

We have designed our small sustainable farm implementing the principles of Permaculture Zoning. Zoning a homestead, or small farm is a way in which you design and place the elements of your farm according to their needs and daily use.

Simply put, the more often you need to visit, use or work on a farm element the closer it must be to your residence, in our case, closer to the B&B. The less demanding a farm element is the further is may be from your primary zone, including foraging and wildlife ecosystems.