Strawberries are in and off to a good start!

by admin on May 14, 2012

We’ve replaced all our strawberry plants on our farms with new disease-free stock.  This means they will be producing like gangbusters come July!  The last time we put in berries, we did an experiment: with landscape fabric and without.  The surprising result was that the berries grown with plastic mulch tasted better!?  A little research revealed that the sweetness is partly determined by the heat units that the plant experiences.  Berries in plastic mulch heat up more, and develop a better flavour.  The good news is that there is good quality plastic mulch on the market that is guaranteed for 20 years, and with good care should last even longer.  Many years of yummy berries coming your way!

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Rhubarb Custard Bars

by admin on May 4, 2012

A proven method of motivating field hands and volunteers through wet and cold spring days on the farm is to show up with warm rhubarb custard bars.  I think it will work wonders on most of your loved ones if you have some gardening work to get done.Or you could just make them without ulterior motives.

This recipe is from our friend Ciara at Kildara Farm.  It is written up in style on Heidi Fink’s blog, Lip Smacking.

http://www.chefheidifink.com/blog/baking/rhubarb-custard-bars/

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Full Steam Ahead!

April 7, 2012

Northbrook Farm is once again a hive of activity with farmers, farmhands and apprentices out in full force.  The soil is drying up so we’ve been able to turn over a few patches here and there.  The greenhouses are burgeoning with seedlings. We’re starting to seed spring crops in the ground like radishes, spinach and [...]

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“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”

March 17, 2012

I always think of this line from Anne of Green Gables when I look at my emerging seedlings, so perfect and hopeful.  We spend all winter planning for a new season, fresh with no mistakes in it.  And then real life happens…greenhouses that get too hot, late frosts, slugs, deer… But this month, as the [...]

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Gratitude, Part 2

March 13, 2012

This winter has been a whirlwind ever since our book, All the Dirt, was released in February.  In all the hussle and bussle, we’ve let a couple of very important “thank yous” slip by.  On February 12, we had a wonderful book launch party in Victoria.  What made the event so great?  The family, friends, [...]

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Gratitude

March 13, 2012

Last Friday we went to Vancouver for a book launch event.  What fun!  First, there was the thrill of getting off the island and seeing our good friends in “The ‘Couve”, then there was the event itself.  We were overwhelmed both by how many people came, and then by their level of engagement and enthusiasm.  [...]

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“All the Dirt” in Vancouver

March 9, 2012

Hello Vancouverites! We’re coming to your city to launch “All the Dirt!”, our new book about growing food, working together and making a living from farming.  Its filled with practical advice, personal stories and lots of inspiration.  It’s a fun read, and we’re excited to share it with you! Heather, Rachel and Robin of Saanich [...]

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Organic Certification papers done!

March 5, 2012

This is a familiar winter scene on the farm.  Last week it was crunch time as everyone was finishing off their planting plans for the season, crop rotation maps, and other record spreadsheets.  Here’s a picture of Heather, Lisa (our crop manager) and Rachel making last minute adjustments to our seed crop plans for the [...]

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Learn About Cuban Agriculture This Friday

February 29, 2012

UVic’s Geography department with the Community Based Research Lab, the SOGS (Society of Geography Students), and the department of Sociology are pleased to co-present: “Travelling from Agri to Culture”: The secrets of Myko on Rural Innovation in Cuba by Dr. Humberto Ríos Labrada Friday, March 2nd: 3-5pm Geography dept, Social Sciences and Math Building UVic [...]

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A very sad day for organic farmers and our supporters

February 28, 2012

While I was at the Guelph Organic Farming conference in January, there was a very excited and victorious vibe circulating about a class action lawsuit that was being filed against Monsanto by organic seed growers, farmers and food safety organizations in the US. Canadian farmers were also involved with fundraising, research and support “This one [...]

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An Event We’re Excited About

February 25, 2012
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All the Dirt Events in Calgary and Edmonton

February 9, 2012

Heather is heading back to her home province of Alberta to talk about farming and food, and to share “All the Dirt”.  She’ll be in Calgary at Shelf Life Books, 7pm on Feb 21, and in St. Albert at Hole’s Enjoy Centre between 11am and 3pm on Feb 26.

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All the Dirt Book Launch

January 24, 2012

We’re so darned excited about this book, and about this book launch.  We’re also very grateful to Spinnakers.  When we asked them if they might consider hosting this event, this is what Ali said: “Are you kidding?  We’d love to!  That’s what we’re all about!”  So please come enjoy some music and some nibbles.  Buy [...]

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Kid’s Science Experiment Converts Her to Organic

January 18, 2012

This video is short, persuasive, and super duper adorable. http://youtu.be/exBEFCiWyW0

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Starting the New Year in Style

January 2, 2012

Check out these harvesting aprons that we got for Christmas! They go right down to our ankles to keep us dry when we’re hosing down veggies in the frigid winter temperatures. We remain dedicated to fashion while we get your veggies clean! Happy New Year to all!

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The Greens Keep Coming!

December 14, 2011

Here’s a video of Heather washing Pac Choi that went to our box subscribers yesterday.  We still have lots in the field, and we’re doing a big harvest for the Downtown Market this Saturday in Market Square -11am to 4pm.  Hope to see you there! http://youtu.be/GaY44iheRA8

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Support for Sustainable Agriculture

December 4, 2011

I’m at the tail end of a lovely couple of weeks in North Carolina where I’ve been visiting family.  I spend time here each winter, and I generally think of the political culture as quite conservative.  I would not assume that an environmentally sustainable local food culture would be high on the agenda in this [...]

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We’ve come a long way, baby!

November 30, 2011

I felt such blessed validation when I brought in an order of mixed kale and chard to Cook Culture yesterday and had about 10 people gathered round, oohing and ahhing about how beautiful it was, asking where they could get more.  Ten years ago, it seemed that people would cringe and gag or at least [...]

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