What was the initiative?

Kai was working with the farm program of Camp Amy Molson, a summer camp dedicated to providing beautiful outdoor experiences to under-privileged Montreal youth. Here Kai led a number of ecological building projects catered to the needs of the farm, and more generally contributed to the outdoor education programming and sustainability.

What was the community connection?

Kai had been involved in community organizing in Montreal for a few years, in particular with youth-oriented projects, and was looking for a way to merge that work with a budding passion for gardening and practical land-based resilience more generally. Camp Amy Molson has a deep connection to many youth and families in the city and Kai saw the farm program as a wonderful opportunity to bring himself and other young people who typically only exist in urban environments into nature to practice meaningful ways of connecting to the land.

How was it innovative?

Kai incorporated a number of ecological building methods in the farm projects that many people aren’t yet familiar with, such as cob/adobe as well as pounded tire walls. For example he found adobe to be a very effective way to get youth in particular involved and inspired with building. Additionally, Kai participated in creating educational programs at the farm that didn’t exist before such as the five-day long farm camp.

What is Kai doing now?

Kai continues to work with the farm program at Camp, and has recently finished his 2^nd annual Farm and Wilderness Camp. Kai and his team are currently working on a new farm site, and are busy terra-forming the land into an integrated food-forest, including vegetable gardens, fruit and nut trees, mushroom logs, and animal habitats.