Crop Mob at Heart's Content Organic Farmstead

Last Sunday Environment Hamilton tagged along on a Crop Mob organized by Mac Farmstand to Heart's Content Organic Farmstead.  Volunteers with a desire to learn more about organic farming were given the opportunity to spend a day on the farm.  We started out with a tour of the farm.

 After the tour we spent the day pulling weeds until it started raining.

During the rain we took shelter inside and helped prepare garlic for the market.

Heart's Content is an interesting farm which already operates through farmers' markets and through their CSA, which delivers weekly or bi-weekly shares that members pick up at Homegrown Hamilton, the Brantford Farmers' Market or at the farm.  Farmer Richard Turnstall also works as a Naturopathic Doctor and runs his clinic at the farm as well. 

Heart's Content is working to move beyond the confines and limitations of modern industrial farming and our greater economic system.  Their newest project is a community land trust where they are planning to buy and preserve land just outside of the green belt with help from community bond holders who will see a 4% return on their investment in the form of organic food.  For more information contact Ella Haley at ehaley1[at]gmail.com.

Sit, Enjoy, Listen, Relax at Ancaster Farmers Market

Ancaster Farmers Market is unique in the extent to which they make their market a complete experience for Ancaster's many locavores.  As well as a wide selection of farm vendors Ancaster also hosts many ready to eat prepared items and provides plenty of seating and tables to enjoy it all.  A particularly popular spot is a wrap around bench built from salvaged lumber around one of the market's towering trees.

While chowing down on some delicious delicacies patrons enjoyed some fantastic live music.  The first act was Mike McCurlie playing some fantastic covers including some skillful renditions of Tom Waits tunes that were especially appreciated by an anonymous Environment Hamilton summer intern.  Mike normally performs with his group Banned from Heaven.  The second act, Mark Fletcher switched it up with some Celtic music played on the Scottish smallpipes, the mandola and an Irish flute.  Mark often plays alongside his band Rant Maggie Rant.

At it's heart, Ancaster is an authentic farmers market and now is the time to pick up fresh produce.  Berry Fresh Farms are harvesting some new additions including peaches and corn!

Waterhall Farm is also a regular in Ancaster.  As regulars to the Hamilton Eat Local blog know, Environment Hamilton will host a bus trip to Waterhall on August 18th at 10:30 am.  Visit Homegrown Hamilton to purchase your tickets before they sell out.

Normally, access to the farmers market is off 37 Halson Street between the Church and the Parish Hall every Wednesday from 3-7pm.  However, on July 25th, 2012 the market will be located behind the Ancaster Public Library in the Village Green Park.

We Love Fenwood and Scotscraig Farms!

Despite thundering storms first thing in the morning Rural Routes participants came out in droves on Saturday.  Our first stop was Scotscraig Farm.

Malcolm and Cam along with their two industrious farm workers Kim and Elysia pose in front of our heroic HSR transportation after generously showing our group around the farm.  Some of their organic veggies are grown in a greenhouse while others are grown in their fields.

Scotscraig also raises some farm animals including chicken and sheep.

 

After Scotscraig we made our way over to Fenwood Farm where Carol showed us how they raise chickens, turkeys, emus and grow soy.

First we saw the emu which is a real strange bird that sounds like the tyrannosaurus rex in Jurassic Park and live in female dominated family structures where the male birds spend most of the time sitting on large emu eggs.

We also got to see the turkey chicks which will be ripe and ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Fenwood Farm was nice enough to BBQ some turkey hot dogs which the farm dogs were quite interested in.

Don't miss our next Rural Routes bus trips to Waterhall Farm on August 18th and Alpacas from Eighth and Mud on September 8th (date changed from September 1st!).  As usual, tickets are available at Homegrown Hamilton, 27 King William Street.  The bus departs at 10:30 am sharp outside Homegrown.