The McCully family farm was purchased from the Canada Company by John McCully in 1847. Third generation family member Norman McCully, now a Member of the Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame, dedicated much of his life to land stewardship and to the education of rural youth.

In 1996, the fourth and fifth generation members of the McCully family, including Norman's grandson David Pullen, created a family business known as McCully's Hill Farm. This business, now celebrating its 10th anniversary, has evolved into a well known source for naturally produced meats, vegetables, fruits, preserves and maple products. In addition, McCully's Hill Farm has become a source of educational and entertaining farm programming for thousands of school children and other visitors each year.

Several years ago, the family realized that in order to maintain high quality programming and to improve public access to the farm, an alliance would have to be forged with other groups and individuals dedicated to environmental and agricultural education. At the same time, several family members wished to develop a plan that would ensure the farm's existence for future generations. With support from members of the McCully/Pullen families, a not-for-profit organization known as the McCully Centre for Rural Learning (MCRL) was developed and will be governed by an independent board of directors.

In the last few months, an alliance has been formed with The Rural Learning Association (RLA), an Ontario group dedicated to the revitalization of rural communities. The relationship with RLA will allow all donors to the McCully Centre project to receive charitable tax receipts for their contributions.

 

Partners:

Rural Learning Association

The Ontario Trillium Foundation

Thames Talbot Land Trust

 

The overall purpose of the MCRL is to contribute to the sustainability of rural Ontario by ensuring that all age groups can learn about and experience the relationship between food, farms, the environment, and rural communities in the context of a working family farm. Building on the well developed partnerships and programming at the McCully family farm, the MCRL hopes to help sow the seeds of positive change at this critical time in the history of rural Ontario.

Timetable for the McCully Centre Project:

Phase 1 - 2005/2006
Research, business planning, community partnership development, continuation of school and group programming, and curriculum development.

Phase 2 - 2006
Transfer of farm business from McCully/Pullen family to the not-for-profit McCully Centre for Rural Learning. Transfer of farmland to the Thames Talbot Land Trust.  Design work and fundraising for capital improvements.

Phase 3 - 2006-2008
Design of outdoor learning centre and amphitheatre. Construction of visitor centre with demonstration kitchen, educational displays, meeting rooms and washroom facilities. Development of sustainable energy displays including solar and wind power.

MISSION STATEMENT
The McCully Centre for Rural Learning provides a learning environment devoted to inspiring awareness and action on the related issues of local food security, family farms, environment and rural communities.