About Course
Learn to create a resilient home, thriving property, and sustainable lifestyle in this 7-day retreat filled with rich learning, hands-on training, and personal growth. Whether you’re aiming to transform your existing property, hunting to buy property, or looking to create a career in sustainable living, this course is for you. Gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make the most of any landscape, optimize a home within it, and create a lifestyle of abundance. Walk away ready to transform your property and lifestyle, or advance your career in sustainability.
During this course, we have numerous hands-on activities planned including building a rainwater tank system, composting bays, garden beds, and planting an orchard. Basic tool safety and use will be covered, with additional optional opportunities to use power tools and take on labor-intensive tasks. Students will be provided several exercises to work on their property plans including a larger site plan, a garden plan, and a food forest plan. The course will be facilitated by Academy Founder, Kenton Zerbin, and two featured instructors – a renowned holistic chef and a lifestyle coach.
The Chef is none other than Doris Fin, a local Holistic Chef who is driven by a nourishment-first mindset, impacting community, and creating momentum. She believes in keeping her friends close and her farmers closer and is a dynamo instructor. Learn efficient prep and kitchen hacks, foraging for wild ingredients for our plates and drinks, and how to eat inspired by the seasons. Prepare to be nourished – body, mind, and soul.
Our lifestyle coach is Deniz Demirel, owner of Straight Fin Farms. Deniz hosts the FAIL Series, a lifestyle coaching group that assists individuals in discovering their purpose, community, and balance through the RISE program. During this course, we will share some of the key concepts and tools used by the RISE program, including fireside chats where we can all share lessons from our own journey.
Immerse yourself in the fundamentals that will prepare you for a future in sustainable living, whether you’re looking to consult, teach, or simply create a thriving, self-sufficient property.
NOTE: The Attainable Sustainable 101 program is the first step towards advanced pathways, including Attainable Sustainable 201 (Permaculture Design Certification Course) and Attainable Sustainable 301 (Teacher Training).
COST & FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLANS:
Join our life-changing retreat for as little as $416.17 a month! We offer flexible payment options, including 3-month and 6-month plans, so you can focus on your journey, not your budget. Available upon request. Contact us at “Admin@AttainableSustainableAcademy.com”
You may also register for the retreat in a 1-time payment of $2497 CAN (Register on this page).
WHEN:
This week-long course runs May 25 – June 1, 2025.
Check-in on Sunday, May 25, before 2 PM.
Check-out on Sunday, June 1, by 11 AM.
WHERE:
The course is being held at “Straight Fin Farm”, about 90 minutes northeast of Toronto. It’s a beautiful 34-acre property that is 1/3 forested, 1/3 waterfront, and 1/3 homestead with mixed pasture. The farm is also a budding animal sanctuary with resident deer, 3 pond turtles, a local beaver, bee hives, an array of birds, and more. Straight Fin Farms aims to demonstrate healthy and profitable methods of growing food, emphasizing biodiversity. Its mission is to balance nature and offer a retreat for reflection and personal growth.
The nearest town, Bobcaygeon, is 9 minutes away and offers a public beach, food, and all amenities. The closest major airport is Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
The address for Straight Fin Farm is:
1091 Kawartha Lakes County Rd 24, Dunsford, ON K0M 1L0
AMENITIES & FOOD:
Registration includes:
Complimentary, healthy, delicious, in-house meals made from quality local ingredients. Vegan and omnivore diet options provided. Please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance of any dietary preferences/restrictions so the chef can be prepared to accommodate. Last-minute requests may not be accommodated.
Complimentary camping space. There are plenty of available spaces to place your tent.
Complimentary Camper / RV parking. (No utilities available).
Two outdoor bathroom units equipped with hot showers and composting toilets.
OPTIONAL: Students may opt-in for a bell-tent upgrade for $100/night. Express your interest in the comments section of checkout and the host will connect with you directly.
NOTE: Students may choose to find alternative accommodations off-site. There are BnBs in the region and the town of Bobcaygeon 9 min away.
Additional amenities include:
- Water access, floating docks, & kayaks. Lifevests are included and must be worn to use kayaks.
- Hot tub – available only at set times to be determined by the property owner.
- Sports equipment including mini-soccer nets, Slammo/Spike-ball, and more.
- Mowed walking trails around the property.
- Firepit and seating.
SCHEDULE:
May 25 – Arrival Day
- 12:00-1:45 PM: Check-in! Set up your tent, relax, and explore the property.
- 2:00 PM: Orientation, followed by dinner at 5 PM, and evening recreation.
May 26-31 – Class Days
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast
- 9:00 AM: Classes begin
- 12:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:00 PM: Classes resume
- 5:00 PM: Dinner
- Evening: Optional activities (socializing, recreation, yoga, meditation, etc.)
May 31 Evening – Graduation Party & Dinner
- 5:00 PM: Dinner
- 6:00 PM: Graduation Ceremony
- 6:30 PM: Entertainment
- 10:00 PM: Wind-down
June 1 – Goodbyes, Networking, & Checkout
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast
- 9:00 AM: Networking & Community session
- 10:00 AM: Pack-up & Clean-up
- 11:00 AM: Check-out
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
Upon completion of the course, students are provided with 1-year access to “Attainable Sustainable Academy” ($1500 value). This includes mini-courses and recordings of the core content.
What to Bring: Proper footwear to work and play in, clothes for all weather conditions, sunscreen, hat, work gloves, water bottle, bug repellant, additional snacks and food as wanted, and your tent/sleeping set up. Bio-degradable soap/shampoo (Dr. Brommers) will be provided, please only bring and use natural products if you wish to use your own.
This is a hands-on retreat event with an emphasis on community. This includes assisting (and learning from) the chef, group clean-ups, and other day-to-day tasks for a learning and living retreat to run smoothly.
