Farmers Directory Part Three

This project has and will continue to be about creating meaningful relationships between people and the food they eat, the land on which it is grown, those who grow it, and the faces behind our favourite restaurants.

Many of our actions have a direct effect on the planet. As a result, we need to take care of the environment, and this should be a concern and responsibility of every one of us. In the end, the consumer needs to make the right choice. Our hope is that our project will encourage you to think more carefully about the food choices you make.

Small farms struggle to survive, and new ones are few, as the costs associated with land and equipment are very high. With this book, we hope that growers, farmers and consumers can learn about one another and begin working together to ensure an adequate supply of healthy food while everyone can thrive economically.

Hopkona Farms

Established in 2016. Family owned and operated by Jenn Cudmore and Rob Rombouts. Advocates for local food production and craft beer. They were looking for a small healthy piece of land for years until they found a perfect place to start a new passion project: a hop farm. They began with trial crops for a few years until they felt comfortable commercializing their first two acres. A year later, they increased their numbers by 50%. They currently grow Cascade, Centennial and Zeus. One of their happy customers is London Brewing Co-Op, who uses their locally grown hops for seasonal brews during the summer months. And they have the cutest lamb to manage field pests.  

Website: hopkonafarms.ca

Loco Fields

Loco Fields is owned and operated by Ryan and Mindy. They follow high standards of quality, socially responsible practices and are always pushing the boundaries with the variety of vegetables they grow. This includes over fifty types of vegetables and herbs, with nearly two-hundred individual varieties. They focus on specialty produce, unique vegetables and herbs, fostering great relationships with local chefs and customers and promoting sustainable practices for building a better planet for the generations to follow. You can find them every Saturday at the Western Fair Farmers Market or visit their farm, located 45 minutes northeast of London in Stratford, ON. 

Facebook: @locofields

Applemeadow Organic Farm

Certified Organic Farm and Labrador Breeders. Steve and Linda VandenBorre's farm has been in the family for forty-six years. Bought initially by Steve's parents, who immigrated from Belgium in 1956. They sell a wide range of certified organic vegetables, and their favourite part of farming is attending the farmer market and connecting with people. They are 100% dedicated to quality and show a real passion for establishing meaningful relationships through their vegetables. 

Located 45 minutes east of London in Norwich, ON. You can also find them during the fall at the Covent Garden Outdoors Market. 

Website: applemeadow.com

Blanbrok Bison

Established in 1992, Blanbrook Bison Farm is owned and operated by Bruce and Shirley Mills. Bruce has tremendous admiration for these majestic animals, which drove him to make the decision to dedicate his entire life to them. Bison was the original red meat source of our country until Europeans brought over cattle. For the past 15 years, Bruce has been spending his days taking care of more than one hundred of them, learning their behaviours and ultimately becoming one of the most experienced farmers in Ontario. Proudly recognized by the Ontario Bison Association, Blanbrook offers all different cuts of locally grown-nutritious bison meat, leather hides, horns, skulls, and robes.

Located 50 minutes north of London in St Mary's, ON.

Facebook: @BlanbrookBisonFarm

Kawthoolei Farm Organics

Certified Organic vegetables, herbs and handcrafted products. Pam Rogers grew up surrounded by her family's big gardens. She could find all kinds of vegetables and herbs, which undoubtedly played a role in developing her interest in food–good food. Pam is also passionate about helping those in need, the main reason why she's been doing social work in the Thailand-Burma border for the past 17 years. Her love for people and food was a significant factor in deciding to start her own farm, and it gives her the ability to provide quality food for people that she cares about. Pam named her farm Kawthoolei Farm Organics, which translated means "Land without Evil". On her "Land without Evil", she grows vegetables, herbs, fruits, mushrooms and more. During the summer, you can find Pam and fall at the Covent Garden Market or visit her farm, 60 minutes northeast of London at Staffa, ON.

Facebook: @KawthooleiFarmOrganics

Urban Roots

Urban Roots is a non-profit organization created by Heather, Richie, Graham and Jeremy, four strangers from four different backgrounds who have been brought together through the power of food. Their mission is to use vacant spaces to grow vegetables, bring the community together, provide food education and offer a wide range of locally grown vegetables to many neighbourhoods. They are currently located on Nolan Ave in London, but they hope to slowly expand to as many vacant spaces as possible across the Forest City. You can learn more and support what they are doing through Urban Roots Gofundme

Website: urbanrootslondon.ca

Field Fresh Farms 

Established in 2016 by Matt Marchioni. After many years of studying, working and learning from several farmers across Ontario, Matt decided to embark on his own venture. He grows a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, meat and eggs. His favourite part of the job is being in nature, but he also enjoys the meaningful relationships created with all his CSA members. His bubbly personality and passion for food are what make this farm and his vegetables so unique.

Located 50 minutes northwest of London in Ailsa Craig, ON.

Vandenborre Fruit Farm

The Vandenborre family has a long history of fruit farming. Maurice Vandenborre immigrated from Belgium in 1959 and started his first farm in 1964, the 'Vandenborre Fruit Farm'. Which expanded into the second piece of land a few years later. Today, some fifty years later, Maurice still runs his farms with the help of his daughter, Ingrid, her husband, Lino, and their two daughters –Maurice's beloved granddaughters. Their land is dedicated mainly to apples, but they also grow sweet cherries, raspberries and the most incredible peaches, the family favourites! Maurice is an icon in the apple farming industry thanks to his one of a kind self-propelled apple harvester. Designed in collaboration with a German engineer, this apple harvester allows them to avoid using the "dangerous ladders".

Located in Aylmer, ON.