"We both believe that, pretty as nature is, the most beautiful thing growing on a farm is PEOPLE!"
Last week I had the chance to visit Salt of the Earth farm, a new ecological community farm in Kingston and meet the gracious Charles Summers. At times a one man show, this lad and his partner Morgan Alger are the able bodies that get things going along with generous help. A native at heart, Charles's kindred spirit brought him back home from Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley, with a mind filled with farming knowledge and experience to transfer to the heritage lands of Kingston.
Located on Highway 2 East, just a hop skip and a jump away from downtown Kingston, Salt of the Earth farm has been blessed with a wonderful start and progression having only started in August 2013. Inspiration, passion and the fondness to work with friends and neighbours, local businesses and other farmers, have been key elements in growth to building a sustainable agriculture in the region.
The property on which this farm sits on is quite vast and the amount of work/love that goes into it, is immense. Don't expect it to be your typical run of the mill farm. What you will see are draft horses, organic farming practises and inputs and pasture-based animals. There's plenty of room to move around, roll around in the dirt (if you are a pig of course!) and simply wander in with an open curious mind.
Charles helps put into perspective that food truly has become an industrial commodity and we should appreciate the craft of farming itself. Let's just say, there's a reason why certain items have seasons yet let's admit it we still go to the grocery store and buy the brightest strawberries in winter. We take for granted what mother nature has graced us with. Since living in Kingston, my passion and knowledge for local foods has expanded tremendously and am glad that folks such as Charles are leading the way in aspiring the local food economy.
Still confused? This might help:
Salt of the Earth offers farm goods in the form of the Community Supported Agriculture model. Consumers pay in advance for eggs, vegetables and meat, which are offered on a regular basis throughout the growing season: vegetables and eggs on a weekly schedule, and meats by the side and quarter as they become available.
This system ensures them, as farmers, of an outlet for their production and operating capital. It ensures you, as a consumer, of a reliable, and high quality source of food you can trust. They invite you to not only invest in your health and a neighbourhood farm, but to visit, participate and get involved in the exciting and endlessly interesting process of farming.
What They Offer:
Garden Shares | Fresh Vegetables
A seasonal selection of the freshest garden produce, grown by horse power in living soil. Runs June-November and costs $25/week for subscription customers.
Free Range Eggs
Bright yolks, thick shells, real flavour. Run on fresh grass, fed locally grown grains. $5 per dozen for subscription customers.
{Check out my post about the Free Range Eggs that I kindly received from Charles - eggs benny anyone?}
Grass Fed Beef
Custom raised for our patrons to the highest standards of health and human treatment. No weird stuff for $5/lb.
A few of my favourite shots:
To learn more or sign up with Salt of the Earth Community Farm, visit www.saltofkingston.com
Or call them directly at 613-331-1078.
Salt of the Earth has an ‘open farm’ policy, and invites you to visit and participate in an agriculture that honours the land, and the people who partake in it.
Where: 1054 Highway #2, East, Kingston, Ontario
All images were taken with a Nikon D3100.
Enjoy!
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