Valerie Dawnstar is principal of Thorndon Farm and a native of Oswego (on the shores of Lake Ontario). Her early years were spent gardening with both her parents. As she grew, her gardens also grew, planting the seeds of interest in all aspects of the natural world. At one time a nurse, she has become a dedicated proponent of permaculture and edible forest gardening earning a Permaculture Design Certificate (2007) and going on to study Teaching Permaculture Creatively with Dave Jacke (2009). Linked with fellow permaculturists on an international basis, she continues to study and disseminate concepts of permaculture and edible forest gardening, having obtained a certificate in Holistic Management with Central New York RC&D (2011).
Thorndon Farm is sprouting into an eighteen acre demonstration farm. Saskatoons, apple, pear, paw paw hazelnut and heartnut trees have been planted with the plan to plant more and to put honey bees there.

February 17, 2011

studying Holistic Management, building shelter, winter study of my nascent farm