Category Archives: Farm Trip

Yellowlees Farm – Honestly a Heaven on Earth

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If ever there was a place that I went to and really really really didn’t want to leave…. It was Yellowlees Farm.

It was a bright and chilly morning when we went to meet Dennis and Karen Yellowlees at their farm where they have been raising sheep for over 20 years. When we got there they were both busy in separate barns as their ewes had begun lambing. Still, during this busy time they both took time out to show us around, chat and fill us in on their farming practices .

The Yellowlees’ raise their animals in a traditional natural way. No antibiotics in the feed. No growth promoting hormones. All healthy diet and clean beautiful barns and fields. The epitome of what we look for in a farm environment.

As we were standing just inside the barn that held lambs that were a week and older with their moms some little ones kept bouncing up to us to see what we were all about. A few of these lambs were either twins or triplets and they are supplemented with bottle milk so they were the boldest thinking we might have something yummy for them. Adorable!

After a great visit we purchased some samples from Karen and headed on our way.

I am trying to find an excuse to go back an visit Yellowlees Farm – just to be there. It is beautiful, warm, comfortable and peaceful – It is hard to really explain it – you’ll just have to go and see yourself someday.

B.

Update – Feb 15 – I think it’s official – Yellowlees produces one of the best tasting lamb in Ontario. We have had a chance to taste it and also to give to some of our ‘testing friends’ to get their unbiased opinion and the jury is unanimous that it is delicious fantastic lamb. I honestly think that there is not only a connection between what an animal eats and how it tastes but also I believe that how that animal is raised makes a difference in the quality. This one is definitely a winner and we hope to be able to provide this to our customers for sure. B.

Lunar Rhythms Farm

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Organic produce anyone? This week’s road trip took us to visit Jessica and her dad Dave at Lunar Rhythms farm.

Jessica runs a CSA produce box program near Oshawa (or is it Whitby?). This is her second season of providing winter vegetables to her customers. She gave us a tour of her greenhouse that has beautiful spinach and other leafy veggies. It was beautifully warm inside the greenhouse – it probably helped that it was a sunny day – but it was so nice to see leafy veggies growing in the dirt in mid-February. That night we had a delicious fresh organic spinach salad. Delish!

I also purchased some organic garlic which most of will go into my next batch of infused olive oil! I’m so excited as nothing compares to local organic garlic. Yummmmm.

Sam got to take a walk around and met Penny and Star their two dogs as well as her first meeting with some chickens – not much interest and an almost nose touch with a BIG cow. It was pretty funny – the beautiful friendly cow was interested but Sam was to say the least a curious but rather shy! Definitely one of those times you wished you had the camera ready! Oh well, maybe next time!

Jessica answered lots of questions that I had. Nothing like talking directly to a true expert when you are trying to get educated on what is involved in growing organic and in facilitating a CSA produce box program. Hopefully we will be able to find a way to economically provide this to our customer as well at some time. It definitely would be great to be able to off our customers healthy, affordable, delicious fruits and vegetables to  complement the healthy delicious meats on their plates!

 B.

Berkshire Pork Anyone?

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This week’s farm trip took us to Paisley Ontario where we met Ashley Burke at her farm Alverstoke. Ashley raises sheep, chickens and Berkshire pigs.

Ashley took us on a tour and I must say this was one of the most beautiful barns we have had the pleasure to be in. Ashley’s holistically natural approach to raising her animals is wonderful to say the least. From the food and nutrients they eat to the pastures and barn they live in these animals live a beautiful and natural life.

It was quite a chilly wet day so all the lambs were inside and baaaing away to say hi when we entered. We went over to the side where her beautiful Berkshire pigs were – if you have not seen a Berkshire before – they are the big black pigs with the 6 points of white on them (legs/feet, face and tail). We met Dobby – her boar and her 3 sows. They were a little curious to who the strangers were but mainly I think were happy to be relaxing inside on a chilly wet day.

After the barn tour we went inside and chatted about many of the great events that Ashley is involved in on and off her farm. She has even hosted chefs in training at her farm which has made her a great learner and educator of Ontario farming. Very cool.

Another great day with a great woman at her beautiful farm!

B.

PS – watch out – those Patricia lambs are friendly but can be nippy too :-).