My Personal Environmental History
July 18, 2026 By: Julia Morgan
Over three generations, my family’s relationship with the environment evolved from necessity-driven resourcefulness to reliance on modern agricultural methods and ultimately to regenerative land stewardship and local food production.
My grandparents immigrated to Canada from Italy and England and settled in Toronto’s west end. Their experiences during the Great Depression and the Second World War influenced how they viewed food, money, and resources. While raising eight children, they minimized waste by planning meals carefully, reusing leftovers, and making the most of everything available.
Despite living in the city, my grandparents maintained a small backyard garden to supplement their food supply. They purchased food from local markets and butcher shops instead of relying primarily on large supermarkets. Neighbours exchanged food and supported each other during challenging periods. Their relationship with the environment was shaped by necessity and survival, not by contemporary environmental concepts. They also lived near the Beaches, which gave them access to Lake Ontario, open spaces, and the natural world. Food, land, and other resources were valued because they supported the family and could never be taken for granted.
I was born in Toronto, but when I was about four years old, my parents moved our family to an apple orchard north of the city. This was a major change for them. They had no farming background, so they relied on farm stores and agricultural representatives for advice. They also adjusted to heating the house with a fireplace and gradually learned unfamiliar rural practices.
On one occasion, neighbours offered to bring rabbits to our home. My parents assumed they were offering live pet rabbits, but were surprised when the rabbits arrived already skinned and prepared for consumption. This incident illustrates how disconnected our family was from food sources at first, even after relocating to a rural area.
During this period, the agricultural methods recommended to my parents were described as modern, scientific, and innovative. Synthetic fertilizers and pest-control sprays were promoted as solutions to increase production, manage pests, and enhance efficiency. As newcomers to farming, my parents relied on the guidance of farm stores and agricultural representatives, who were regarded as knowledgeable authorities. Their decisions reflected prevailing agricultural perspectives rather than intentional neglect of environmental concerns.
Following this guidance, my parents routinely applied fertilizers and sprays to the orchard. Over approximately fifteen years, the health of both the orchard and soil visibly deteriorated, and subsequent testing revealed that the apples contained unsafe levels of chemical residues. Ultimately, the orchard was removed. Subsequently, my parents introduced sheep to graze the grass on the ten-acre property, anticipating that the lambs would provide both food and income. However, some of the animals, the land, and even a couple of family members experienced health problems. In retrospect, previous chemical exposure may have contributed to these issues.
Over time, the property transitioned from a working farm to a meticulously maintained lawn. My parents became increasingly reliant on grocery stores and large retailers such as Costco. Although they remained in a rural setting, their food sources became largely disconnected from the local environment.
Observing these changes profoundly influenced my environmental values. I witnessed an orchard, originally intended to provide food and income, become reliant on external inputs and ultimately deteriorate. Although I did not fully comprehend these developments as a child, the experience later shaped my perspectives on agriculture, food production, and land stewardship.
Having a son with a rare metabolic illness heightened my awareness of these concerns. His medical needs made food quality, affordability, and accessibility particularly significant for our family. I became increasingly conscious of food origins, production methods, and the connection between soil health and human health.
This experience motivated me to study soil health, organic land management, and regenerative agriculture. I began raising a small flock of sheep and implemented rotational grazing practices. Caring for the sheep provided a deeper understanding of the interconnections among soil health, vegetation, livestock, wool, and food production.
I also began developing a closed-loop system that minimizes waste. The sheep graze the pasture and return nutrients to the soil through their manure. Usable wool is spun into clothing, while surplus wool is processed into soil pellets or used as garden mulch. We prepare bone broth from the bones, and the spent bones, food scraps, and other organic materials are incorporated into the vermicompost. Composting worms convert these materials into nutrient-rich castings, which are returned to the land to support soil organisms and promote healthier plant growth. I use these castings to grow some of my own food and share natural soil amendments with others. Whenever possible, I purchase food directly from farmers, thereby strengthening the connection among consumers, producers, and the ecosystems that sustain them.
Living near the ocean has further transformed my relationship with the environment. I am learning responsible methods for harvesting crabs and seaweed. The ocean is now a source of food, recreation, and education, rather than merely a scenic backdrop. These experiences have reinforced the importance of using resources responsibly and protecting aquatic habitats to ensure the continued availability of fish and shellfish for future generations.
Reflecting on three generations, it is evident that each relationship with the environment was shaped by historical, economic, and cultural contexts. My grandparents valued food and minimized waste due to poverty, war, immigration, and the challenges of raising a large family. My parents adopted agricultural methods that were promoted as progressive and efficient in their era. My own approach is informed by concerns regarding food quality, soil degradation, biodiversity, and long-term ecosystem health. I have adopted several of my grandparents’ practices, such as reducing waste, growing food, purchasing directly from farmers, and sharing resources with others. Simultaneously, I integrate these practices with contemporary knowledge of soil biology, regenerative agriculture, and ecosystem health.
In the future, I intend for my relationship with the environment to be guided by responsibility rather than control. I plan to continue improving soil, raising animals using regenerative practices, harvesting food thoughtfully, supporting local farmers, and teaching my son that humans are integral to nature. My family’s history demonstrates that environmental decisions can impact land, animals, and people long after they are made. Therefore, I aspire for my actions to leave the land healthier for future generations.