A planned Barrett Centre move will take Durham College’s urban-agriculture operation from Ajax to the college’s Whitby campus after its current lease ends next September.
The Chronicle, Durham College and Ontario Tech University’s student newspaper, reported the relocation in an October 13 feature about the centre’s Fall Farm Open House. The move is new information beyond the already reported October 8 open house.
Ajax farm has operated since 2023
The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture opened on Harwood Avenue North in 2023. It combines student learning, food production and public education about farming and local produce.
Horticulture and agriculture students grow vegetables and herbs at the site and collect honey from the centre’s beehives. During the harvest season, produce has been offered for sale on Thursdays.
The October 8 open house included farm activities, a vegetable tempura demonstration, honey information and advice from Durham Master Gardeners. It also gave community members a final fall-season opportunity to visit before winter.
Centre expects to leave Ajax in 2027
Strategic Initiatives manager Carey Yeoman told The Chronicle that the lease will end next September and the centre will relocate to Durham College’s Whitby campus.
The report does not specify the exact Whitby site, the size of the future growing area or an opening date after the move. Those details remain to be announced.
Farm manager Craig Kelman said the centre intends to hold a community farewell in Ajax, potentially with a corn roast in the first week of August next year.
The Barrett Centre move will shift a hands-on learning operation from an Ajax neighbourhood to the college’s Whitby campus. Until the lease ends, the Harwood Avenue farm remains the centre’s current location.
