Modern Pioneering on the Canadian Prairie

For years his name has come up in conversations. Topics like sustainability and heritage gardening have become regionally synonymous with his name. In a world that is far too dependant on fossil fuels, there are a few key individuals throughout Manitoba who are creating a change in the way that we live. David Neufeld is living by example, and he’s more than willing to share. The Neufeld farm, Room To Grow has evolved  into a bit of a mecca for sustainable living information and development.

Neufeld is a Boissevain area local. He grew up on the land, and that’s where the “seeds” of sustainability began to germinate. Located in the Turtle Mountains is Room To Grow, a sustainable living farm that focuses on a natural lifestyle as well as sharing ideas and information about respectful food growing and economic fairness. The farm consists of two family homes, a guesthouse, a pond-house, a greenhouse, and an outdoor garden on a one hundred and sixty acre property. 

The purpose of Room To Grow is to live, use, and make a living on the land while respecting and adding to the diverse wildness of the surrounding area. 

Neufeld and his partner Magdalene (Maggie) Andres have travelled the world extensively, and spent 8 years living in South Africa while working for the Mennonite Central Committee. During their time with the MCC, they had their four children. A combination of life in Africa and a one-year family road trip throughout Central and North American has created a very strong family bond. As the children have grown older, they have begun to take a greater interest in life on the farm. The family has witnessed the strain that the global population is putting on the ecological world. Their travels have provided them with a wealth of insight.

From day one, the property's development was focused. Solar panels were recycled from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and capacitated energy into recycled car batteries. There was enough natural energy to run a radio, lights, water pump, and even a clothes washing machine. The fascination with the fact that people can survive off of natural sources of energy quickly prompted Neufeld and his family to source a Whisper 1000 wind turbine from Duluth, Ontario. It was affixed to a recycled, seventy foot FM radio tower found in nearby Boissevain. Bear in mind that all of this development began in 1991, and at that time information and resources were scarce to say the least. 

David Neufeld showing off
 his homemade maple syrup

Early development of the property was unhindered by any kind of zoning or building permits. The property falls outside of Boissevain’s jurisdiction, and so no permit is required. Room To Grow is allowed to evolve naturally as does the surrounding landscape. The guesthouse was constructed over a five year period from straw bales and plaster.

"Sustainable building is very much an art, and one that works best with materials that can be found locally", says Neufeld. 

Building with straw, for example is a great option for life on the prairies, however; areas like Vancouver island are far too humid and result in rotting. On the coast, wood chips are plentiful and offer the moisture protection which straw cannot provide. 

At the Room To Grow farm, time notably seems to slow to a more natural pace. The family's approach to the development of the property is very meticulous, and yet elegant in it’s simplicity. Less truly is more.  His kitchen table also doubles as an office in the main house, which is built from an old church. 

There is a sparkle in his eye as he tours his property, littered with tangible examples of sustainable buildings. David Neufeld is a man of vision. His greenhouse business is now thriving. With the knowledge that has accumulated in the local area, the community continues to grow. Neufeld’s pioneer days have created a ripple effect throughout the the province. Sustainable, off-grid housing is increasingly becoming a lifestyle option as people become more globally aware. The price of land continues to escalate throughout Canada, making the financial viability of sustainable options a wholesome alternative for home ownership. People are seeking his knowledge. 

Neufeld proudly smiles as he looks out over the pond from the future vantage point of his retirement home. An Earth Ship constructed of rammed-earth tires, straw bales, and plaster is a project on the near horizon. South facing, the ship will capture the morning light against her adjoined greenhouse. Solar panels positioned to her aft will capture the nourishing sun’s energy thus sustaining power through an endless voyage of sunrises and sunsets. As the surrounding land evolves at the pace of life, so too does the Neufeld’s way of living.

A visit to the Room To Grow farm is a life experience that is hard to forget. Neufeld's pioneering spirit, and the fruits of his hard labour are very inspiring. Anyone interested in living off-grid, building sustainably, and organic gardening would be well advised to learn by example from David Neufeld and his wonderful family.

~ Scotty Gwyer