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FAMILY FARMING
The Scott Family (John, Josie and their 8 children) is committed to a family-friendly pattern of agriculture - low-petroleum, chemical-free, safe and economically viable.
OUR HISTORY
In 2006 we are celebrating our 10th anniversary as a farm - our 10th grass! In 1996 we moved from the city of Ottawa to create a family enterprise where we could all work together.
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Located 10 km from the village of Pakenham in the Madawaska watershed, our farm has rich clay soil created many centuries ago when this was the sea-bed of the Champlain inland Sea. Immediately to the south and west of us lies the rock and forests of the Canadian Shield . Our land is in what ecologists call a key transition zone where the interface of field, forest and water maximizes biodiversity. We enhance that diversity by farming with multiple species of plants and animals.
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OUR PHILOSOPHY
“A small family farm. A family that sells directly to you. An ecologically sustainable
model of agriculture based on sunshine and pastures. And good-tasting, nutritious meat for your household.”
We believe that grassland agriculture is key to healthy food and a healthy ecology. We do not till the earth but have the entire farm in permanent pasture and hay.
We have a strong commitment to sustainable agri-culture. We are active in both Canadian Organic Growers and the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario. We follow organic practices but choose not to be certified by one of the third party certification bodies. Globally, organics now means no more than the absence of synthetic imputs. It has lost its original wider commitment to being local , sustainable and supporting a network of small family farms. We urge consumers to go ‘beyond organic’ - to buy their food from local farms that follow the patterns of nature and most especially, those who return to grass as a means of healing the land.
We see ourselves as stewards, not owners, of our land and animals. We treat our livestock with respect and gratitude, giving individualized care and attention. Allowing them to live on pasture, even in winter, is key to their low-stress, natural habitat.
A special focus of interest for our farm is to provide the best information on nutritional and health issues. Research evidence is strong that grassfinished meat, eggs and dairy is very important in the human diet. We support the principles taught by the Weston Price Foundation
( see Resources) . We see our work as part of the Slow Food movement that aims to enhance a regional, artisan approach to food.
We are cognizant of the importance of the politics of food. Through the Nationals Farmers Union and other organizations, we add our voice to those who oppose the corporatization of our food, the loss of food sovereignty in Canada and the destruction of small family farms. We do not believe the globalization trends are inevitable and believe our farm and your support for it can make a powerful political statement. We also want to stand in international solidarity with small, sustainable family farms around the world who are being destroyed by Western, industrial agri-business.
We also believe in direct marketing our food - to allow a direct interface between farmer and consumer.
OUR FARMING METHODS
Rotational Grazing: At first glance our farm appears only as a wide expanse of grass. But closer inspection reveals two central elements of management - a gridwork of electric fence that subdivides the pastures into small, daily paddocks and a network of polypipe that allows us to bring fresh water to each paddock. These two simple technologies allow us to rotationally graze, moving animals daily to fresh grass. We aim to mimic the migrations of bison, caribou and other large herbivores by using high livestock density and frequent movement. Harvesting grass by this intensive, sequential pulsing style is the best way to invigorate pasture growth and creates the optimal diet for livestock. This method keeps grass at a lush vegetative stage and spreads manure evenly.
No synthetic inputs: We use no commercial fertilizers - only compost made from our animal manures. We use no herbicides, pesticides or other chemicals on our fields. We use no antibiotics, hormones, anti-parasitic medication or any other drugs on our livestock. We use no GMO’s- genetically modified seeds or products. The only products brought onto the farm ( grain for pigs& poultry, kelp, salt ) are from organic sources.
Seasonal: We also follow the patterns of nature by being seasonal, following the ebb and flow of our grass growth. We do have meat from our larger beef steers in the Spring and summer, but most of our beef and all of our other meats are only available in the fall. We do not market our meat during the winter.
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