Our vision is to build a community of people who want to come together to be the village that families and youth need. To connect resources and knowledge and to share space with those that want to help further our reach.
We exist to support youth and young adults to develop the courage to try new skills and the capacity to turn those skills into meaningful employment or entrepreneurial opportunities. We want them to be an active part of a larger community and be able to carry that forward with them in their future.
We do this by providing the space and the land, big enough for everyone to come together. We have a resident handy-man to help with classes, and many beautiful volunteers to offer classes for all.
We have future dreams of tiny cabin rentals, picnics, big events and more!
About OSAAT Farm
I am Tamara, and I was a farm kid. I am the Chief Idea Haver and wife to Rob (Chief Idea Doer). We have 5 amazing kids and 1 incredible grandson.
My favourite part of being raised by my grandparents was growing up on a farm. I was able to witness the joys and challenges of farm life. My days were filled with playing outdoors, the love of animals and the space to be curious and creative in the scrap pile. I built endless “robots” of gears, chains and odd pieces of metal and rubber. It didn’t matter that these creations didn’t resemble a robot, what mattered is I was having fun and developing all sorts of skills.
My grandpa was a farmer, inventor, leather craftsman, environmentalist, storyteller and my best friend. He loved a good shot of rum, playing crib and spending time with loved ones. He had a sewing room in our basement where he would sew all winter to provide the extras for the family. I would sit with him and talk and putter around for hours. I am so grateful he took the time to let me sit and be the incessant talker I was. I believe I got my love of story telling from him, down to the overly expressive faces.
My nanny took care of everything and everyone. With 6 kids and a granddaughter she was the traditional farmer’s wife. She was the most incredible cook and made the best perogies you ever tasted. She didn’t have an easy life, but she never complained. Even though she had a tiny frame she had incredible strength of men 2 times her size.
When nanny was able to enter the workforce, she took me along with her. Together we made meals and spent time doing activities and playing games with individuals in supported residential setting. At the day program we made flowers for car decorations, repaired pallets and cement yard décor.
I didn’t realize it then but from a young age, some of my group of friends had varying diagnoses that made different parts of their life challenging. Even from a young age I realized that this community needed compassionate individuals to advocate and ensure that their safety and best interests were being prioritized.
When I moved to Winnipeg it was only natural that I became involved with organizations such as the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities and Special Olympics… and so began my career in the Social Services field.
Jumping ahead to today, I have spent thousands of hours learning and advocating for rights and services for people who are falling through the cracks. It is crucial for me to draw attention to the lack of support, especially for biological families and those who’s diagnosis is “not enough” to be assisted.
My hope is that by building opportunities for connection we will all feel better supported and able to navigate our world a little bit easier. We can share what has worked for us and work together to advocate for change for what hasn’t.
Tamara Thomson
Rob is a Whitemouth boy, and he is so happy to be coming back home.
His family has always been heavily involved in the community. His grandpa owned the store and Rob spent many hours there and at his grandpa’s home helping in the greenhouse and around the yard.
During his teen years he would spend time at the community club flooding the ice and shovelling so skating and hockey could happen. In the summer there was grass cutting to do and this was how he was able to make sure there was somewhere for him and his buddies to hangout and have some fun.
He, his dad and brothers were part of the fire department for many years, with dad serving as chief for many of his 50 years of service. Mom graciously shared him with the community and was able to do so by adjusting schedules, mealtimes and family gatherings. When the call came, it was time to go, and she gave her family time too.
After Rob completed his red seal as a carpenter and began his career, he eventually moved closer to the city. He worked in insurance restoration and gained an immense amount of knowledge in all trades. Always being the guy to hang out with the “old-timers” he learned a lot about how things used to be done and how they can be done better. He still has a desire to learn and steep some knowledge from them and looks forward to coffee time in the shop.
Coming back to the rm has made him very happy. He loves being able to visit with people at coffee and catch up on the families that are here and those that aren’t anymore. He's already received a lot of information and help from local farmers as we start to add a few animals. I keep saying they are to help take care of the grass, but they are so much more to us all.
Rob, like a lot of us, learned his most valuable knowledge from outside of the school walls. The community as a whole shaped who he became, and he sees that need for our youth today. He looks forward to sharing his knowledge and time with those who want it and to learn more from the elders who still hold those trade secrets.
Rob Thomson
