What we do & Why we do it
We do what some people may call 'swim against the stream'. We farm our fields organically, meaning working the land without using any chemical pesticides and herbicides. We are part of a minority of farmers today (unfortunately).
We spend a lot more hours on the fields than conventional and GMO farmers to try to control the weeds as best we can. Timing, as to when to go on the field and when not, is a very important factor for the turn-out of our crops, especially with weather fluctuating ever so quickly these days. Its always very risky to manage combating the weeds (with the equipment we have) before it is too late. Some years the time frame available to work the land before the rain comes is very small, and next thing you see is our fields looking like a jungle, haha!
Weeds bring a lot of stress and doubt sometimes. They come in all 'shapes and sizes'. Some are tall and hide our crops below enabling them to reach their full potential. Some are very thick and strong and make our combine work very hard (constant breakdowns). Some carry seeds that are similar in shape and size to soybeans (difficult to sort/separate). Some are very juicy and like to stain our grain (lower our grain value). Some are beautiful and decorate our field. Its always a surprise which weed will dominantly grow each year.
So why do all of this extra work and add all the pressure and stress if we could seed our seeds, and when weeds peak through simply spray them away?
We feel that soil and water are precious things, they are the basis to life. We have compassion and respect to the micro-organisms who work countless hours to make our soil healthy and rich. Most importantly, we accept nature's rhythm and its way of 'doing things'. And so we believe it is safe for us to say that we more so go with the stream, with the flow of nature, rather than against. We honour everything about this world and don't want to interfere with its nature.
Bakery
We simply have a passion for bread. Traditional sourdough ensures a more easily digested bread, thus a more healthful bread.
We only use the best ingredients. No additives or preservatives. Sink your teeth into a hearty crust baked in our traditional brick oven. Experience all the freshness, flavour, and aroma of a quality bread. Taste the Passion!
Why Sourdough?
It's easy to digest. It's full of health. It's made with love.
The fermentation of sourdough is a similar process to that of wine, cheese and yogourt. The distinctive taste of this bread is from a controlled fermentation of quality organic rye flour. The lactobacillus present in sourdough is a vital component, which revitalizes living matter, minerals and trace elements.
The fermentation is carried out by a natural culture of airborne yeast and lactobacillus that live in symbiosis, and support those enzymes to transform the flour components into aroma, colour, CO2, elasticity in the soft heart of the bread and give it a naturally and relatively long shelf life.
Sourdough works like a little biological production center transforming flour into a tasteful treat, containing organic acids, enzymes and minerals, which are essential for balanced health.
To eat fermented food is more important than ever before. It brings balance into the majority of people's diets, often composed of foods such as animal products and sugar, which lower the body's pH.
"There's an urban myth that if you want to loose weight, you shouldn't eat bread. But the truth is, bread is one of our biggest sources of grains and has a number of healthy benefits." ~Prof. Terry Graham
Our Oven
Our hand-constructed custom brick oven has many advantages:
The nature of our breads' crusts depends on the oven. Our traditional brick oven bakes a very palatable tasty crust which is part of the allure of a delicious loaf of bread.
It generates a moist, yet intense, heat, allowing it to rapidly form a crust that effectively seals the loaf, locking in freshness and the bread's aroma.
Our baking techniques, combined with our natural sourdough create a bread that has;
~ a warm golden colour
~ a hearty textured crust
~ a moist light crumb
~ an aroma that awakens the appetite
~ a taste that returns enjoyment to a meal
~ a naturally longer shelf life without any additives or preservatives
Come See Our Traditional Brick Oven!
Our Ingredients
The only ingredients we use in our breads are: Flour, Water, Sourdough, Sea Salt, Yeast (less than 1%), making all of our breads “vegan".
Our Flour
Our flour is ADA free. ADA is a chemical commonly used in North America to artificially inflate the dough, likely bloating our bellies! This is why our breads are denser, and though they may seem 'more expensive' you are receiving more. When comparing prices, be sure to look for price per kilogram, as volume and size is often misleading.
Spelt, as well as Rye, contains a moderate amount of gluten. It is theoretically not suitable for celiac disease...though...we have had some of our celiac and gluten allergic customers tolerate out Rye/Spelt breads! Sometimes we believe that our gluten allergic customers can eat our bread because the sourdough breaks down enzymes and makes the gluten digestible and enjoyable.
Rye is a natural preservative and allows retention of nutritional values and taste. Fermentation of this sourdough bread allows neutralisation of phytic acid (enzyme found in rye), preventing its dangerous decalcifying properties and transforming them into a B vitamin.
An important feature of the Organic Rye and Spelt Flours, is that they are ancient graines and their gluten DNA differs that of the DNA of wheat.
That is why we recommend wheat-free bread for any diet - gluten sensitivities, allergies, diabetes, and any digestion related illness.
Our Water
The Water we use is from our farm's deep drilled well. It is fresh and filtered. Of course, we regularly make sure to get its quality tested by the Health Unit.
Our Salt
The Sea Salt is obtained directly through the evaporation of sea-water. It undergoes minimal or no processing, and therefore retains trace levels of minerals, like magnesium, potassium, calcium and other nutrients.
Our Farm: Back To The Roots
We are an organic cash crop farm, planting a variety of different crops.
We sell organic rye and wheat seeds independently as well as offer seed cleaning services (contact us if interested).
We raise free-range chickens and ducks on the farm. Eggs and duck meat available in our store.
What Do We Plant?
Currently we practice a 5 year crop rotation with spring wheat, winter wheat, winter rye, oats, corn, soybeans and most recently, black beans. We plant organic potatoes on a small scale as well.
Organic Free Range Eggs
Our chickens roam around the farm wherever they wish - their freedom is limitless. Digging up worms and insects and sometimes stealing the corn seeds off the field (oops) - their taste is exquisite...and it goes to show from the delicious eggs they lay.
Certified Organic Potatoes
Potato peels are really nutritious - brimming with potassium, B vitamins, vitamin C, iron, calcium, and phytochemicals. As such, potatoes are best consumed with their peels ON. Get these organic! The kinds we produce are:
Yukon Gem (yellow), Gold Rush/Russett (white), Red Chieftain (red), Almera (yellow) and Agria (yellow).
The Dirty Dozen
The most pesticide-laden fruits and berries are apples, strawberries, peaches and blueberries, as well as imported nectarines and grapes. If the latter pair are left off the list, the first four and six vegetables make up the 10 worst offenders among nonorganic produce. Among vegetables, the most pesticides were found in celery, spinach, potatoes, bell peppers, lettuce, and both kale and collards, which were grouped together. Like the fruits, these include some of the most popular supermarket produce items.~ ewg.org
Organic Free Range Duck Meat
Born and raised on our farm, our Muscovy Ducks have walked nothing but green grass for most of their life. They have been kissed by the sun, showered by the rain, and dried by the wind through the seasons. Having the chance to swim in our pond has given them a real taste of farm and country life.
Their bellies have been fed with organic grains, left-over bread from the bakery which we soak in water, kitchen table scraps, and of course, delicious and fresh bugs who cross their path!
Birds average on 3-8 lbs.
Check back in September for pre-ordering.