Before becoming a Farmer, Shawn McCarty was a Chef, a butcher, and a baker. It was from this background that slowly grew a desire to grow great food . After years of planting in windowsills, tiny gardens and borrowed nooks and crannies a small farm has emerged. Situated in quaint Jerseyville, Potager Forest Farm is growing. Using Holistic and Permaculture techniques to build fertility and health in a natural way.

I came to permaculture through the back door. Always interested in food from a very early age I have always grown herbs in pots and the nooks of my parents garden. As I gained a little (at times less) space I would grow annuals. Interested in food, around 2005 I began to research farming and production. I first discovered P. Yeomans which led to D. Holmgren and an obsession was born.

From 2005 onward I have devoured every scrap of knowledge I could find and soon my library was so large it was pushing me out the door. In 2011 my wife and I found a small place in Jerseyville, On. An acre with great southern orientation. After 2 years of observation a permaculture site plan was developed. 2014 will see major implementation of a forest garden. The Chickabee farm permaculture site design has been used for PDC certification.

40 trees

Spring 2014, trees and shrubs have arrived

Chickabee Farm permaculture site design

This is an active design with a ten year horizon. Click on the link to view the Permaculture design