Letting the Land Lead

Friday, May 22, 2026

Water stewardship at Topsy Farms

By Jeanine Moyer

On the west end of Amherst Island near Stella, Jacob Murray is reshaping the landscape at Topsy Farms with a clear goal in mind: improve how water is managed on the farm while strengthening the land for the long term. Through the creation of wetlands and water retention ponds, Murray has expanded wildlife habitat, added reliable water sources and enhanced the resiliency of his farmland — all while keeping the farm productive and true to its roots.

“Our goal is to leave the farm and land better than the way we found it,” says Murray, co-owner of Topsy Farms. “Building water retention areas lets me give the water on our land what it wants — wetlands where they naturally want to be and water retention ponds where water naturally wants to sit.”

Rooted in values

Founded in 1972 as a commune by a self-described ‘group of hippies’ that included Murray’s father, Topsy Farms has long prioritized land stewardship and harmony with nature. That philosophy continues today with the 450-acre farm collectively owned by Murray, his mom, and siblings, with Murray managing the farm’s day-to-day operations.

Topsy Farms currently operates as both a working farm and a nature preserve. Murray raises sheep, rotating them through pastures while also growing hay. The farm is also home to a value-added venture, The Wool Shed, an on-farm store that sells wool products made from the sheep, including blankets, bedding, yarn and sheepskins, as well as handmade items. Over time, The Wool Shed has become a popular destination for tourists and locals and has expanded its offerings to online shoppers with an online store, www.topsyfarms.com.

While the farm has diversified and grown its public presence with its wool retail, Murray remains focused on maintaining the farm’s core identity. “We’re grateful our wool products help us keep the farm a farm,” says Murray. “That farm-gate business and direct connection with people supports everything else we do.”

Water retention by design

The farm’s location on Amherst Island adds another layer of responsibility to land management decisions. As Murray points out, being situated on an island means he must be extra diligent about water management. One of the top priorities of the farm’s recent water retention project was to minimize the impact of the farm’s needs on local water levels and to reduce the risk of flooding into nearby properties.

That goal led to the creation of a series of strategically placed settling ponds designed to hold water on the landscape and act as a natural groundwater filter. Multiple ponds were dug during the project, some reaching depths of up to 15 feet. Native trees, grasses and shrubs were also planted to support habitat development and improve water quality.

The wetland retention project was completed in 2025 as part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s (Sustainable CAP) Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP).

“This project has always been in the back of my mind, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the Sustainable CAP program,” says Murray. “Completing it brings me so much joy because it has improved the beauty of the landscape and the sustainability of our farm.”

Farming in harmony

While the original purpose of the project was to retain moisture for the fields and create new sources of water, the results extended well beyond those goals. Murray says wildlife moved into the new water areas within weeks of construction, and biodiversity across the farm increased almost immediately.

“The success of this project was measured by how fast nature — ducks, tadpoles and frogs — moved into our new wetlands and made it their home,” says Murray.

The benefits were also felt by the farm’s livestock. Murray notes that access to additional in-field water sources had a positive impact on the flock, something he tracks through what he calls his “sheep happiness index.” With a focus on water management and quality, many of the ponds now have solar pumps to draw water for the flock.

Project implementation was not without its challenges. Murray says bedrock close to the surface made it difficult in some areas to reach the prescribed depth required for the ponds. However, the rock removed during excavation was repurposed as liners for the new ponds, helping stabilize the structures while making use of materials already on-site.

Murray says the entire process — from application through to the final RALP report — was seamless, thanks in large part to the support he received along the way. He relied on guidance from the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) and on connections to Ducks Unlimited Canada and the local conservation authority.

Through those partnerships, Murray says he drew on local knowledge that not only helped him complete the project but also deepened his understanding of the land.

“By building natural wetlands and water retention areas, I’m able to realize a long-term goal of using nature to filter nature,” says Murray. “It feels so good to improve the landscape, the lives of our animals and ourselves.”

Looking ahead, Murray plans to continue expanding wetland and pond enhancements at Topsy Farms, further strengthening the balance between agricultural production and environmental stewardship — a balance the farm has been working toward since its founding. BF