As residential development creeped closer to their family home in Clarington, Shelley Willis and her husband Matt sought a more peaceful, rural setting for their young family. They found their ideal spot with a home on a five acre parcel on Tapley ¼ Line where they relocated just as the pandemic settled in.
A certified teacher, Shelley took some time off to homeschool her own children and also ran a child care service at their new home. A few years ago she returned to the classroom but held on to some of the activities she launched during her time at home.
Her business, called Clementine James Acres, takes full advantage of the property, which is populated by a variety of small animals including goats, pot-bellied pigs, chickens, ducks and a dog. Fences divide the areas, but for the most part the animals enjoy each other’s company and mingle together around points of interest- particularly new visitors.
While most of the animals are pets, the many of the ducks and chickens end up for sale in freezer bags. In addition to whole frozen birds, the hobby farm also sells chicken and duck eggs, wool fleece, goat-milk soap, dryer balls and tallow.
Shelly also rents chick-hatching kits to schools and seniors’ homes that come with fertilized eggs, an incubator and educational supports designed to build a better understanding of the hatching process. All hatched eggs come back to the property where the chicks live out their lives.
Shelley is eager to share this rural experience with other youngsters, and operates a few weeks of day camps each summer. Participants spend most of the day outside playing games and hanging out with the farm’s friendly animal occupants, having fun and learning a bit about their food supply along the way.
In good weather, Clementine hosts one hour outdoor yoga sessions surrounded by friendly, playful goats. To learn more, visit their Facebook page at Clementine James Acres or their Instagram @clementine-jamesacres.