Neil Lawrence – President
Neil is a small animal veterinarian working near North Bay, ON. He grows fruits, veggies, mushrooms, and insects in an effort to reduce his carbon footprint and to feed his family a nourishing diet. Chickens and bees, along with a couple of dogs and cats, help populate his homestead. Neil grew up on Manitoulin Island and still has family ties to Kagawong.
Ashley Manitowabi
Ashley, his three children and spouse hail from Kaboni (Wikmemikong) where they live a homesteading lifestyle on mother earth. Ashley was brought up with practical know how, like harvesting from the land, planting, and building. Ashley is actively involved in his community, engaging other farmers and sharing their stories. Ashley can often be found encouraging others on the path of food sovereignty, sharing traditional indigenous and permaculture knowledge with others. Ashley completed a premaculture design course Manitoulin Island in the spring of 2016 with Permaculture Institute of Eastern Ontario. Ashley is currently the Tranformations Program Director at Debajehmujig Creation Centre in M
Kyle McDermid
Kyle McDermid is a Certified Fitness Coach, certified CrossFit Trainer, entrepreneur and owner/operator of Vitality Health & Fitness in Mindemoya, Ontario. He is a lifelong resident of Manitoulin Island, only leaving to complete his diploma in Police Foundations at Humber College in Toronto, Ontario. Kyle is passionate about healthy eating and physical activity and places an emphasis on functional movement with regards to his coaching style. He gathers fulfillment through supporting others on their journey towards improved health and well-being. His experience as a gardener has grown over the years and he does his best to consume locally-grown, whole foods as much as possible and is an advocate for sustainable food systems.