Welcome to Thistle House Farm
Thistle House Farm is a unique homestead located in Mount Pleasant, Ontario, serving the Brant County, Haldimand, and Norfolk Regions in Ontario. Our farm is starting plans to begin in Spring 2025, to offer nature-based therapeutic care farm day programs for seniors suffering from dementia, educational programs for youth interested in biodiverse microfarming, and animal care for therapeutic benefits. Additionally, we will provide ability to book appointments and sell a variety of farm products to help support our day programs. Our unique selling point lies in our diverse day program activities, including raised garden beds, sensory gardens, seating areas, and animals such as egg-laying chickens, goats, and miniature highland cows.
Opening Hours
Sunday - Monday
Closed to public
Tuesday - Thursday
Open 9am – 4pm
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Senior Day Programs
9am – 2pm
(includes lunch)
Friday
Open 10am – 4pm
(To Public and School Trips)
Saturday
Open 10am – 4pm
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Family Volunteering
Youth Volunteering
Garden Policy
At Thistle House Farm, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our visitors and participants. Our garden policy is designed to ensure a pleasant and secure experience for everyone. We encourage all visitors to respect the natural environment and wildlife, and to adhere to safety of our people, plants and animals. We encourage farming and gardening activities, and for all clients and family members to take part in our activities such as weeding, watering, harvesting, cleaning and of course hanging out with your therapy animals. We ask that you reach out to any of our staff members if you have any questions or concerns or need help with your assigned activities! Happy growing and healing.
Safety Guidelines
We take safety on the farm very seriously especially since some of our clients are visiting us from vulnerable groups. There will be first aid kits, health and safety instructions and emergency procedures at the ready should anything arise.
Any sharp or motorized equipment will not be available except some regular garden tools for harvesting vegetables.
There will always be staff available at a 3 to 1 ratio for our Senior Day Programs and a 7 to 1 ratio for our Youth Programs.
All of our staff are trained in basic first aid, CPR, WHMIS, and Dementia Education from Alzheimer's Society Canada.
For our clients' safety we recommend wearing weather appropriate clothing to keep warm and dry during our activities. Some shelter is provided but this is intended to be outdoor farming and gardening activities.
We have an Intake Process for our Senior Day Program that includes an Intake form designed to ensure there is basic foundational Activities of Daily Living criteria for all of our Senior Day Programs with maximum one person assist abilities. Our Seniors suffering with Dementia that do best on a care farm would be in Early to Middle Stage Dementia to ensure they can realize the benefits of the care farm program.