347036 Mono Centre Rd., Mono, Ont.
Asking Price: $4,450,000
Taxes: $4,047.95 (2025)
Land Size: 52 acres
Agent: Carolyn Scime, Chestnut Park Real Estate
The backstory
In 2019, Alexis Levine stood in farmland northwest of Toronto and saw potential in the bucolic landscape.
“It was just a hayfield with a beautiful river,” Mr. Levine says of the 52-acre parcel carved from one of the area’s original farms.
Mr. Levine, a Toronto-based lawyer, was searching for a new pursuit beyond Bay Street. He also wanted his three children to experience life in the country.
The town of Mono, near Orangeville, Ont., was part of the traditional territory of several groups of Indigenous peoples, including the Ojibway and Mohawk tribes.
In the 1800s, settlers from the British Isles began farming the rugged terrain.
Owner Alexis Levine established Avalon Lavender Farm on his 52-acre plot of land at 347036 Mono Centre Rd., Mono, Ont., His 31,000 plants produce English and French varieties of the herb.MITCHELL HUBBLE/Modern Movement Creative
The property on Mono Centre Road had not been a working farm for about 45 years when Mr. Levine visited, but before that time it was used for raising cattle.
A stone in the foundation of the barn recorded the proprietor as “S. Burns” and the date as 1891, he says, adding that the Burns name is well-known in the township.
Mr. Levine decided to tackle the restoration of the heritage barn and the renovation of the somewhat rustic farmhouse that had previously been updated in the 1970s.
“It needed a bit of love,” he says of the two-storey brick home.
He was also looking for a new venture for the land.
As he researched various crops, he learned that lavender is versatile, well-suited to the climate and doesn’t attract mosquitoes.
“It’s beautiful to look at and beautiful to smell,” he says.
The 3,271-square-foot house has been renovated throughout with new bathrooms, kitchens and wide plank flooring. Today the home has five bedrooms and four bathrooms.MITCHELL HUBBLE/Modern Movement Creative
The farm today
In order to establish Avalon Lavender Farm, Mr. Levine planted 31,000 plants producing English and French varieties of the herb.
During the summer, the farm is open to visitors for activities that include yoga, picnics, photoshoots and high tea. Some of the guests prefer to relax on day beds in the lavender fields, meander through the mature woods, or wander the trail along the Nottawasaga River that runs along the southwest border.
Mr. Levine restored the barn and turned the upper level into a shop where visitors can purchase the botanical soaps, oils, sprays, honey and mementoes made on the farm.
People also hand out treats to the four friendly rescue horses the family has taken in.
“That’s the only work the horses have to do.”
The barn’s ground level has a polished concrete floor with radiant heating, where Mr. Levine has held fetes and celebrations, including a family wedding.
Toronto Bee Rescue manages the honeybee colony.
“We have a little north of one million bees taking care of our farm,” Mr. Levine says.
The farming operations also make the property eligible for various tax breaks. There is a “phased in” tax of $807,000.
The farm opens 42 days each year, but Mr. Levine says the seasons could be extended with pumpkins in the fall or tulips in the spring.
“The rest of the time it’s just our family home.”
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The 3,271-square-foot house has been renovated throughout with new bathrooms, kitchens and wide-plank flooring. Today, the home has five bedrooms and four bathrooms.
Mr. Levine winterized the summer kitchen and upgraded the electrical and plumbing systems.
The layout works as one single-family home or two self-contained units.
There’s a swimming pool in the back garden and a tennis court next to the barn. The property also has a Celtic stone circle and a geodesic dome for sleeping under the stars.
The family planted 500 trees, including several dozen fruit trees, and a half-acre vegetable garden.
Mr. Levine describes rural life as an amazing experience for his children, who are 12, 10 and 7 today.
“They get to go out to the chicken coop we put in and grab eggs in the morning.”
The kids attend the local Mono-Amaranth Public School, which offers English and French immersion programs.
As for Mr. Levine, he commutes to his law practice in the city most days. During the summer, he hires about 16 local workers to keep things running on the farm.
Mr. Levine is selling the business along with the home and grounds, but he adds that the setup is flexible enough for new owners to create their own vision.
The farm works very well as a simple family home, he says, but his hope is that a buyer with an entrepreneurial spirit will continue to welcome visitors and keep the lavender blooming.
“We love what we’ve built here.”
Mr. Levine says one of his favourite parts of the day is to let the horses out to the pasture in the evening and relaxing alongside them in the tranquil setting by the river.MITCHELL HUBBLE/Modern Movement Creative
The best feature
When he’s hanging out at home, Mr. Levine says, one of his favourite parts of the day is to let the horses out to the pasture in the evening. He enjoys relaxing alongside them in the tranquil setting by the river.
“It’s a beautiful moment,” he says. “The sun is going down and they can graze on the grass.”