Our Farm, Our Home
Riverglen Biodynamic Farm is situated on 112 acres of Ottawa Greenbelt farmland. Although we are just off Carling near Moodie, you would never know. Surrounded by trees, we are nestled on the banks of Shirley’s Bay. Our soil consists largely of old riverbed deposits resulting in a rich, silty-clay soil. This heavy soil type requires a whole lot of energy to work and till, but it is generous in its ability to hold water and nutrients. Vibrant, green grass abounds everywhere on the property.
The main farmstead is centered around a 100 year old, brick farmhouse. It is a registered heritage building, where my partner Carolyn and I make our home. Interns, volunteers and other guests share the spare bedrooms over the summer . In the winter well, it can get pretty quiet around here. And you know, I kind of like it that way. Other outbuildings include three heritage, timber-framed barns dating back over 125 years and two smaller wooden buildings. Much of this infrastructure is in need of rehabilitation, which is one of our top priorities.
To keep us company, we keep five cats. They live outside in the barns and help keep rodents at bay. Our dogs Thuja and Bruno also keep an eye out for un-welcome intruders who may be trying to steal a meal overnights. Our flock of chickens have free access to the outdoors, as do the ducks and geese. What a lively bunch! We are currently breeding Shetland and Katadin sheep, for future meat production. We are also breeding Scotish Highland and Simmental cows. Both sheep and cows are on pasture during the summer and are fed hay, from our own fields, in the winter. At that time they are moved into a sheltered paddock near the barn. All these animals require our attention every single day, 365 days a year. The eggs, meat and manure production is well worth the effort.
The gardens ensure the financial stability of the farm. Over 100 varieties of vegetables are grown in succession from March until December. Careful crop rotation, companion planting and cover cropping encourages the healthy growth of plants without the need for manufactured fertilizers or pesticides. A generous application of mature compost infused with biodynamic preparations gives the soil life what it needs to make essential minerals and compounds available to plants. Other biodynamic preparations are applied directly to the fields and gardens, acting a lot like homoeopathic remedies for soil life.
Vegetables are processed at our outdoor wash station and indoor packing station. This means a cold water rinse or soak to slow the living vegetable’s metabolism. This greatly enhances produce freshness. We may use rubber bands to make bunches or plastic bags for loose greens but all other vegetables are distributed in bulk or in re-usable containers. An insulated cold room, kept at 5C, keeps produce crisp and fresh while it awaits distribution.
A permaculture orchard and garden serve as demonstration areas for our members, school groups and other community organizations. A variety of biodynamic, organic and permaculture methods combine here to create an environment where people, herbs, trees, shrubs, crops and wildlife can share the same space. We are lucky to have help from a variety of community groups in developing this long term project.
With the help of the sun’s energy, natural rythms and an enthusiastic community, this is where we make our living. Thank you for taking an interest in local, sustainable agriculture.