Our Purpose
Building resilience through a regenerative farm and living neighborhood in Point Roberts, WA
Vision
Nestled on a peninsula amidst the mesmerizing waters of the Salish Sea, Point Roberts is an unsuspecting place for the future home of one of the most innovative farms and neighborhoods in North America.
Against the backdrop of disrupted supply chains during the pandemic, local resident and former property developer Stephen Brisbane emerged from retirement with a resolute purpose: to create Point Robert’s only working farm to meet the needs of the community.
Yet, Stephen’s vision extends far beyond just any ordinary farm. His aspirations transcend conventional boundaries as the farm is guided by the foundations of ethical land, people, and animal care that seeks to showcase the potential of agriculture to help address climate change, create economic development for the community, and be a demonstration of how human habitat can harmoniously be integrated with local food production.
The Regenerative Farm
Nestled on 40-acres of fallow land north of Point Robert’s marina, a visionary farm plan is taking shape. Guided by regenerative and ecological design principles, its mission is to establish a thriving full-scale commercial farm that produces organic meat, produce, fruit, and nuts.
Through innovative strategies such as key line design and swales for water capture, diverse companion plants and trees for a lush multilayered canopy, and rotational grazing of animals, the farm aims to nourish the community with healthy food. Simultaneously, it endeavors to build nutrient-rich soil and capture carbon, embodying regeneration and resilience in agriculture.
The Neighborhood
Integrated Design
Agrihoods (agriculture + neighborhoods), a burgeoning trend in real estate development, harken back to villages where residents enjoyed close proximity to nature and fertile soil for cultivating food and medicine.
The Agrihood at Point Roberts seeks to embrace sustainable housing development, offering a glimpse into the future. The mixed-use site plan envisions two and three-bedroom homes, live/work studios, and senior assisted living, employing innovative mass timber modular construction for optimal sustainability. These eco-friendly dwellings are designed to achieve Zero Net Energy, minimizing environmental impact.
A harmonious coexistence between nature and residents is at the heart of the neighborhood plan. Homes will be thoughtfully oriented towards a central green space, adorned with edible and pollinator-friendly landscaping. This shared sanctuary fosters community connection and offers a living example of sustainable landscaping practices.
Recognizing the importance of supporting local farmers and employees, the plan encompasses dedicated workforce housing. This provision ensures that resident farmers and workers employed by businesses in Point Roberts have access to attainable housing, fostering a vibrant and interconnected community.
As the Agrihood at Point Roberts takes shape, first in using the land as an extension of the farm while construction planning takes place, it will hopefully serve as an example for future development to reimagine the relationship between housing, agriculture, and the well-being of both residents and the environment.
Do you have any ideas you’d like to contribute to the farm or agrihood? Feel free to contact us.
Embracing an integrative design approach, the Agrihood harnesses the power of water. Stormwater is captured, while wastewater is transformed into sanitary water, which will then be channeled to the farm's swales. This ingenious system not only accelerates plant growth, sequestering carbon in the process, but also provides valuable nourishment for the grazing animals, creating a regenerative and self-sustaining ecosystem.
