Hereward Farms opens its 2026 community giving to public nominations

Hereward Farms has donated nearly $30,000 from $10 field admission fees to local causes since 2020, and now the East Garafraxa farm is asking residents to nominate the next recipients. The farm is also inviting other businesses in Dufferin County and Centre Wellington to match or add funds.

Why it matters: - Hereward Farms has turned a small visitor fee into meaningful local grantmaking, with nearly $30,000 directed to community organizations since 2020. - The 2026 effort could widen the impact if local businesses join in with matching gifts or added donations. - The farm is putting decision-making in the hands of residents, which could steer money toward the most urgent local needs.

What happened: - Hereward Farms said it will ask the public to nominate local charities, non-profits and community organizations for its 2026 giving initiative. - The farm is also inviting businesses across Centre Wellington and Dufferin County to help match or supplement the funds. - The giving comes from the farm’s $10 field admission fees. - The farm is based in East Garafraxa, Ontario.

The details: - Since 2020, Hereward Farms has donated nearly $30,000 from admission revenue to organizations in Dufferin County and Centre Wellington. - Past recipients have included Family Transition Place, local food banks, the Alzheimer Society, Headwaters Healthcare Centre, Wellington Pregnancy Care Centre and the SPCA, among others. - The 2026 nominations are open to organizations working in food security, family support, mental health, seniors, youth, animal welfare and other community needs. - Community members are being asked to comment on Hereward Farms’ 2026 callout on social media and include the organization’s name and why the funds would matter. - Businesses interested in participating can contact Hereward Farms at hello@herewardfarm.com. - Hereward Farms is a 250-acre lavender and sunflower farm that also sells Canadian-made skincare and home products. - The farm’s property includes the year-round Lavender Lounge + Boutique and hosts seasonal field experiences, workshops and community events. - Hereward Farms started with 40 lavender plants and has grown to thousands of lavender plants and hundreds of thousands of sunflowers.

Between the lines: - The initiative blends local philanthropy with a community vote, which can make the giving feel more personal and transparent. - Thurgood-Burnett is trying to keep the effort simple, avoiding a formal charity structure or large fundraising event. - The business challenge suggests Hereward Farms wants the program to evolve from a single-business donation model into a broader local effort. - The farm’s framing ties customer visits directly to community impact, which may strengthen loyalty among visitors who want their spending to stay local.

What's next: - Hereward Farms will collect nominations over the coming weeks and review which organizations should receive support. - Local businesses can contact the farm directly to discuss matching funds or other contributions. - The farm expects the 2026 giving total to grow if additional businesses join the effort. - The community will help determine where the next round of funding lands.

The bottom line: - A $10 admission fee has already become a nearly $30,000 local giving engine, and Hereward Farms is now asking the community to help decide how much bigger that impact can get.