Growing community

Growing up in the rolling hills of Bonshaw, Soleil Hutchinson has always had a special relationship with the land, though she didn’t imagine she’d end up cultivating a farm and a life just a few kilometers from where she grew up.

“I earned a degree in environmental studies and then spent some time WWOOFing (volunteering on farms and homesteads for room and board).” During her time exploring the western parts of the United States, Soleil fell in love with Portland. “This was before the show, Portlandia,” she chuckled, “and it had everything I could dream of.” Living just outside the city, she enjoyed both rural and urban life, cycling into the city from the farm where she was staying. 

In 2008, she came back to PEI to be closer to family. At that point, she thought she’d be here for a few years. “The Island was (and is) so full of potential and I had the room to create the life I wanted to live.” Now, 18 years later, Soleil has become a household name for many folks who enjoy the fruits (or vegetables, as it were) of her labour at Soleil’s Farm. I don’t usually take quotes from people’s websites for these profiles but paraphrasing this one wouldn’t do it justice: Soleil’s Farm is “committed to playing in healthy soils, building strong communities, and growing the tastiest organic vegetables right here on beautiful Prince Edward Island!”

In typical PEI fashion, Soleil’s strong connections and relationships made it possible for her to start, build, and grow in the way that she has. “I realized that I was interested in being part of the something that was just starting here. Though I could have just moved right into the lifestyle in Portland, I was seeing that PEI was starting to grow our local offerings in new ways and I wanted to be part of that.”

We reminisced about those days nearly 20 years ago when there was basically one microbrewery, one independent coffee shop, and a handful of restaurants. “How lucky are we that so many people have since built such incredible offerings in our community?!” Soleil is deeply committed to creating and supporting local. “I’m proud of what we are creating and building together.”

As she continued building the farm, Soleil realized that some of the changes that needed to happen were systemic. Now, she spends time volunteering as a board member with the PEI Farm Centre and the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women. “I’m drawn to meaningful work that allows us to show up as a whole being in support of our community.”

“I’m also involved with Growers Station, which is a local food hub dedicated to supporting people who farm by supporting us in selling wholesale to local restaurants.” As PEI’s first cooperative food hub, Growers Station also cultivates mentorship opportunities for people who farm. “It is hard work and deeply rewarding to learn and share with the farming community across PEI.” 

Like many of us, Soleil is also concerned about sustainability and the future of our beautiful Island. “Though we are known as Canada’s Food Island, we also have extremely high rates of food insecurity among the people who live here.” Soleil is so passionate and generous with her time and knowledge, sharing what she knows with folks who want to learn. “We need people to get interested in growing, whether it’s making a small garden in their backyard or a large-scale farm.”

“I became so serious as a teen, and I carried that seriousness with me into adulthood. I’m glad I’m learning to be sillier and more playful now.” Though farming is hard work and their team works incredibly hard, they have built a lovely connection where laughter and play is also encouraged. “We have many team members who come back year after year, and we have built many inside jokes over time.”

While her career in farming keeps her busy, Soleil has also been contemplating the notion of success as busyness, noting that being rich isn’t so much about money but about having time to do the things we love. “First and foremost, I am a person. I am a person who farms. I’m also a person who loves spending time with friends and family, eating delicious food, playing board games, and getting back into hobbies that I enjoy.” Soleil has been re-engaging with fiber arts, playing banjo, and exploring some of the things she enjoyed when she was younger. “I also really value my ‘stare time’ where I can just be in the moment and allow my mind and heart to drift, ponder, and dream.” Soleil reminded me that we can dream the life we desire into existence.