Growing through the generations

Heidi Mungal checks her vegetable patch.

Brenda Moser

Advocate Correspondent

As a child growing up in this area, I never fully appreciated the true value of living in a rural area.

While we weren’t too far from the town of Simcoe, venturing there was a ‘treat.’ Your circle of friends included the kids across the road and the ones we used to say were ‘just a stone’s throw away.’ They were a small circle of friends but the best ever.

Agriculture and tobacco made up a large number of the local farms and farmers, but as growing tobacco slid by the wayside for many, they chose to branch out while keeping the family farm in the family and operational. We are fortunate to have a ‘reinvented’ tobacco farm close by that now serves many purposes and the owners wear many different hats.

Heidi Mungal, owner of Generations Marketplace and Learning Centre, and her family have been offering a wide variety of events and classes from their fifth-generation family farm at 200 Concession 13, Townsend. The interest continues to grow as we become more conscious of what we eat and where it comes from.

This year will mark the seventh season for Generations Marketplace with lots of things to do for all ages. The business is ‘growing’ - to say the least.

“We will be re-opening in May and will offer tours and hands on learning experiences. The newest addition to our lineup is a beginner homesteading course for those who are looking to start their self-sufficiency journey.

“Lots of people want to learn how to homestead but it can be quite overwhelming so we’re offering an eight-week course to provide them with all of the knowledge needed to get started on this journey.”

They run classes all year long.

“In the winter we like to partner with Sawaya Gardens to offer a warm, large, comfortable space to run our workshops. Coming up, we will be offering workshops and classes on sourdough making, fermentation, from scratch hygiene products, freeze drying, soap making and more.

“Right now, we are running two kids baking classes and will run a young chefs and gardeners class starting in May.”

Heidi explained, “We focus on sustainable farming practices… Our mission is to educate and inspire individuals of all ages.”

When they re-open in May there will be some changes to their store hours but they will continue to provide tours, events, classes and good food for the community.

“There will be animal and garden tours, wagon rides, visit with the baby animal days, and a large event in the fall with information coming out soon for all of these.”

In February you can sign up for their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) where you pre-pay to receive weekly produce boxes right from their farm from June to October.

“They are very popular as we have a large variety of items that we grow on the farm, so no two weekly boxes are ever the same,” adds Mungal.

If you would like more information on any or all of their classes and events you can find it by checking their website at www.generationsmarketplace.ca, on their Facebook page or on Instagram.

“If you have any questions you need answered send me an email,” said Mungal.

WATERFORD SEEDY SATURDAY

Mungal is excited to partner once again with Jenn Thompson to put on the upcoming Waterford Seedy Saturday 2026 Garden and Homestead Market.

“There will be something for everyone. You will also be able to purchase preserves from my booth,” said Mungal.

The Seedy Saturday event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Waterford District High School, 227 Main Street South, Waterford. It’s a great way to see the resources available, support local and connect to others with similar interests.

The event runs from 12-5 p.m. and the entry fee is a canned good donation. There will be 70 plus vendors as well as guest speakers and a seed exchange. You can check out some of the vendors by checking out the event on Facebook. It is a definite must to attend if you are an avid gardener or are just wanting to take that first step to living a healthier life. Kudos to Jennifer Thompson, Heidi Mungal and their volunteers for all of their hard work in the planning and organizing of this event.

More and more people have become conscientious about what they eat and where it comes from and Heidi is more than willing to answer your questions. A visit to Generations Marketplace and Learning Centre is a great way to spend a family outing. Check out the classes offered on their Facebook page. You can also get more info on their website (generationsmarketplace.ca). Be sure to sign up before they fill up. If you would like to talk to Mungal, be sure to stop by her booth at Waterford Seedy Saturday.