Background

Ben Polley, a geographer with a keen interest in energy efficiency and eco-building materials, founded Harvest Homes in 2000.

Ben focused his early career on improving energy efficiency in Canada's cold winters and hot summers. He worked for DML Control Inc, a world leader in energy management computer systems. In 1999, Ben won a prestigious national award for energy savings in the commercial/industrial sector. At the same time, all through the 90s, his attention was on the burgeoning practice of straw bale building. He learned the building techniques from industry pioneers in Canada, Chris Magwood, Peter Mack and Tina Therrien. In 2000, he made the leap and created Harvest Homes.

Since its inception, Harvest Homes has worked on over 20 straw bale homes, a hotel, summer homes, offices and commercial buildings in Canada and Central America. Ben is an advocate for the straw bale building movement, educating self-builders and construction industry professionals through seminars and hands-on workshops. He is Advisor and Instructor for Seventh Generation Community Projects, Everdale Environmental Learning Centre, and Pangea Partnership, the Ottawa-based NGO, which operates primarily in Nicaragua. As well, Ben is advisor to both Seventh Generation Community Projects and Everdale Environmental Learning Centre.

Harvest Homes has crews that operate in the GTA, Southern Ontario, Bruce Peninsula and Muskoka areas of Ontario. The crews combine the best of local tradespeople, professionals and experienced straw bale builders. They provide quality construction work and informed consulting for new straw bale homes and retrofits.