NFU-O Member Profile: Alberto from Nature’s Apprentice Farm

National Farmers Union – Ontario Newsletter
The Rural Voice | October 2025

Stepping foot onto Nature’s Apprentice Farm in Pakenham, ON, the first thing that becomes apparent is the steady sound of birdsongs – a reflection of the farm’s values of balancing a healthy ecosystem with a productive agricultural business. 

Alberto Suarez Estaban is a farmer, researcher, instructor, and the owner-operator of Nature’s Apprentice Farm. Originally from Spain, Alberto grew up helping his grandparents on their farm, where he developed a deep fascination for the natural world. After spending 10 years in academia gaining a BSc in Biology, a MSc in Conservation Biology, and a PhD in Ecology, he embarked on his journey in regenerative agriculture. 

With the acknowledgement that his land access journey is not necessarily a viable means of entry for many others, Alberto explains, “we were extremely privileged to have a person in the family with a larger farm who was willing to engage in a severance process and sell us the 6.5 acres that we now call home. I don’t think we could have ever afforded such a nice piece of land otherwise.” 

Alberto’s appreciation for the land can be seen in the various features he implements to sustain biodiversity. Through the Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) incentive program managed by the local conservation authorities, he was able to receive financial support to create a quarter acre wetland and is currently in the process of turning one acre of hayfield into a native prairie. 

Bird houses and pollinator patches can be found throughout the farm, bringing in an abundance of Tree Swallows, Eastern Bluebirds, House Wrens, Monarch butterflies, Swallowtails, solitary bees, beetles, wasps, and all kinds of other insects. Water barrels and a large cistern collect rainwater from every roof on the farm and are used first before supplementing with well water. Hedgerows are spaced out throughout the fields, consisting of native wildflowers and shrubs such as dogwoods, serviceberries, ninebarks, and chokeberries. These hedgerows attract a tremendous amount of life to the farm, and provide invaluable natural pest control and soil amelioration. A root cellar, compost area, solar panel, agroforestry patch, food forest, and laying hens are just a few more examples rounding out the farm’s regenerative features. 

Alberto chose to join the National Farmers Union of Ontario because it was the agricultural organization that best aligned with his values. He also participates in farmer-led research projects with the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario where they explore the labour and yield benefits from growing squash under mulch, as well as the use of thick layers of leaves for grass suppression and agroforestry preparation in hay fields.

Speaking to the ethos of the farm, Alberto explains, “Agriculture works because of biodiversity, from soil microbes to pollinators to predators. We focus on attracting life to the farm… I find sharing a small percentage of the crop with creatures is much less stressful and costly than trying to kill things.” Contrary to some assumptions that farmers have to choose between prioritizing sustainable practices or making a profit, Alberto notes “our yields are actually higher than the Ontario average across many crops, sometimes, like with carrots, our yield is more than double”. 

Nature’s Apprentice Farm sells their products through direct consumer a-la-carte ordering, salad subscriptions, a You-Pick berry patch, a You-Pick flower patch, and to local retailers. They also provide gardening consultations, have a newsletter for the public to keep up to date with on farm happenings, and have a membership program with special benefits for people who want to support what they do. For those who are interested in seeing these ecological features in action, farm tours are offered on Saturday afternoons and can be booked on their website: naturesapprenticefarm.ca. 

Nature’s Apprentice Farm successfully showcases the positive synergies between agriculture and biodiversity conservation. A connection worth supporting! 

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Written by:

Jessica Tong, Land Access Coordinator

jessica@nfuontario.ca (705) 738-3993 x 103

Reach out to Jess for questions about land access!