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Easter is special to us, a time of faith, and hope. We cherish our time with family in this season of renewal. May your Easter be blessed with family as well.
In the windows of opportunity that the weather is giving us we are slowly but surely getting everything moved up from Markham. Our school tour instructors are in helping us to get ready for a new season. School tours begin the first week in May. Our forest trail is coming along nicely and will be a beautiful walk, a nice break from the hectic pace of everyday life.
We are also getting organized for our auction sale Monday May 19th, Victoria Day here at our home farm in Greenbank. Blending the two farms has left us with excess equipment and supplies. This will be a good opportunity to see a farm auction as we are also having an open house. Check out our progress.
We'll be working steady getting ready and will be officially open for the season with strawberries - pick your own and fresh picked. You can find the boys at the farmers markets beginning in May.
We'll soon have our special events for the season posted on our website. Sign up for our e newsletter so you can be notified of the details. In this year of transitioning our events will be the main times we are open although you are welcome to book school and camp tours and birthday parties.
Stay in touch. We're just a little drive away for a whole lot of country!
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Friday, April 11, 2014
Warmth and sunshine are the ingredients for a smile
It sure is easier to be happy when you have an amazing day like today. The snowbanks are finally losing their battle and are succumbing to the inevitable spring melt. We knew it would happen one day.
With the thaw we are able to bring up more of our outside buildings and equipment as they are released from the grip of winter. The train, playhouse and puppet theatre have arrived home to Greenbank. There is still more to do but these were definitely milestones and farmer Jim is starting to relax just a little bit.
Couscous, one of our goats you love is now a mom. She had a bouncing baby boy Wednesday April 2nd and he is growing like a weed. Oh the energy of youth.
We will have an auction sale here in Greenbank Victoria Day Monday May 19th. Come and join us as we will also have an unofficial open house so you can see what we've been up to.
Our official opening for the season will be for strawberries approx mid June.
School tours begin the first week of May. There are spaces still available. This year we are beginning tours for the high school level.
We're organizing a calender of events for the season. Stay tuned for complete details.
A little drive for a whole lot of country.
With the thaw we are able to bring up more of our outside buildings and equipment as they are released from the grip of winter. The train, playhouse and puppet theatre have arrived home to Greenbank. There is still more to do but these were definitely milestones and farmer Jim is starting to relax just a little bit.
Couscous, one of our goats you love is now a mom. She had a bouncing baby boy Wednesday April 2nd and he is growing like a weed. Oh the energy of youth.
We will have an auction sale here in Greenbank Victoria Day Monday May 19th. Come and join us as we will also have an unofficial open house so you can see what we've been up to.
Our official opening for the season will be for strawberries approx mid June.
School tours begin the first week of May. There are spaces still available. This year we are beginning tours for the high school level.
We're organizing a calender of events for the season. Stay tuned for complete details.
A little drive for a whole lot of country.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Spring - A time for optimism
The first full day of spring is living up to our expectations of warm, sunny weather with a fresh breeze blowing. It is what keeps us optimistic that winter will eventually end. It has been quite a roller coaster ride of temperatures this past winter and it doesn't look like that will stop with the predictions of snow for tonight.
Farmers are eternally optimistic. They have to be as weather plays such a major role in their success. Signs of such optimism here on our farm include:
Farmers are eternally optimistic. They have to be as weather plays such a major role in their success. Signs of such optimism here on our farm include:
- On a cold day in February we ordered our seeds for the new season and we are adding some flowers to our mix of crops this year. It's nice to have a small indulgence to pick up the spirits.
- Dan has been organizing his CSA and is now open for member sign ups. That to can be an exercise in optimism as you look out the window at the snow and ice. What better way of saying yes to all this cold ending than to sign on for a summer full of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- The boys are registering for their farmers markets - they will start up in May
- We're booking tours for our school tour program which begins the first week of May. We are consolidating our activities from the Markham farm into our Greenbank farm, enhancing what we have to offer here. We've added a couple of nice warm rooms that will help us be more weather proof should the spring continue on the cold side.
Take a moment to listen for the birds singing, get out of the wind and feel the strengthening warmth of the sun on your face, look past all the dirty snow banks to see the grass beneath peeking through and enjoy the lengthening of the days.
Warm, sunny days will come again and winter will be left behind. It happens every year. After the winter we've had, spring and summer season will be that much more appreciated.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Cold Enough?
As with many of you we have felt the frost quakes, had difficulty starting cars and tractors and generally griped about the cold. We've been working diligently in the market trying to keep the apples and the water pipes from freezing.
Our moving has been hampered with the cold weather as most things are frozen into the ground. Let's hope for an extensive January thaw.
One benefit of this cold is the possible reduction in some of our non-native invasive insects. Maybe this may be the temperature that will kill many overwintering in the soils and trees.
Thank you to everyone for your support, fond memories shared of time spent on the farm and your willingness to visit us in Greenbank. I will soon be sending out our first e newsletter for all who have signed up.
You are welcome to drop into the market while we are packing up. We will keep some apples including our honey crisp apples, on hand and our boxed cider along with our preserves and honey. Please call ahead with any special orders for pies as we will only bake them upon request. Variety is becoming limited as I am not renewing my inventory until after our move. We will be answering the phone and checking messages, please call the market number at 905-887-1087.
We will also continue our school tour program in Greenbank. To book a tour call 905-887-1086
Stay safe and warm.
Our moving has been hampered with the cold weather as most things are frozen into the ground. Let's hope for an extensive January thaw.
One benefit of this cold is the possible reduction in some of our non-native invasive insects. Maybe this may be the temperature that will kill many overwintering in the soils and trees.
Thank you to everyone for your support, fond memories shared of time spent on the farm and your willingness to visit us in Greenbank. I will soon be sending out our first e newsletter for all who have signed up.
You are welcome to drop into the market while we are packing up. We will keep some apples including our honey crisp apples, on hand and our boxed cider along with our preserves and honey. Please call ahead with any special orders for pies as we will only bake them upon request. Variety is becoming limited as I am not renewing my inventory until after our move. We will be answering the phone and checking messages, please call the market number at 905-887-1087.
We will also continue our school tour program in Greenbank. To book a tour call 905-887-1086
Stay safe and warm.
Friday, December 13, 2013
An Invitation to our Customer Appreciation Days Dec 14th, 15th and 21st, 22nd
We are truly thankful for the support expressed by our customers; the stories you have told us, the place that the farm has had in your lives. Some of you have already brought in pictures for our memory board.
It has been 27 years of making the effort to connect with you and share our joy of farming. You have been telling us through your stories that it has been a worthwhile one. Many of you will keep in touch and make our Greenbank farm a new tradition.
We want to thank you. The next two weekends we will have cookies and hot cider for refreshments as we chat about the times past and future. There are specials on many of our products to help make stocking up for Christmas and winter more economical.
Our apples are a big reason why many of you come in this time of year - they are all on special for $1.50/lb including the Honey Crisp apples.
Our e newsletter will be starting up soon and we will keep you posted on the move and what we are up to. It will be a very busy winter and spring this year.
Come in for a visit, dress warmly. The atmosphere in the market is warm and welcoming but without a major source of heating the temperature is just a bit warmer than outside.
It has been 27 years of making the effort to connect with you and share our joy of farming. You have been telling us through your stories that it has been a worthwhile one. Many of you will keep in touch and make our Greenbank farm a new tradition.
We want to thank you. The next two weekends we will have cookies and hot cider for refreshments as we chat about the times past and future. There are specials on many of our products to help make stocking up for Christmas and winter more economical.
Our apples are a big reason why many of you come in this time of year - they are all on special for $1.50/lb including the Honey Crisp apples.
Our e newsletter will be starting up soon and we will keep you posted on the move and what we are up to. It will be a very busy winter and spring this year.
Come in for a visit, dress warmly. The atmosphere in the market is warm and welcoming but without a major source of heating the temperature is just a bit warmer than outside.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Christmas Trees are Here
The snow is here early and everyone is off to an early start. It seems time speeds up when preparing for special occasions.
We have beautiful Fraser and Balsam Fir trees along with pine and spruce. Our courtyard is transformed into a forest - oh the smell - awesome! The wet fall has kept the trees lush and green. Along with the trees we have garland and wreaths to help you make your home look and smell special.
A cup of hot apple cider is waiting for you in the market. Lynda has been making up our Christmas cookie trays and pies are in the oven baking.
Traditions - they are what connects us all.
Many of you have been coming for all 27 years that we have been open at our Markham Farm on Kennedy Rd. Christmas is so traditional and sometimes it is the only time you visit us. Each year it seems I am reconnecting with friends, watching the kids grow and over the years come back with kids of their own. That is what makes this season so special to me.
As with life there are bends in the road and we are at a turning point in ours. After 27 years here on Kennedy Rd. we have been given notice of termination of our lease. This is our last season in Markham, the farm will officially close December 24th. Winter will be busy moving everything up to our Greenbank Farm where we will continue to be open for our strawberry, pumpkin and Christmas seasons.
There will be some changes, we haven't fully developed them. You will be able to see Dan at the Markham, Oshawa Centre and Whitby Farmers Markets along with his CSA. James is applying for the EG Farmers Market at Green Lane and Yonge St and there may be more. We will still be at the Markham Fair as well.
With that said we would love for you to visit - Customer Appreciation Days are the last 2 weekends before Christmas. Come in for a chat, bring a picture from your visits on the farm. We are making a memory board of the farm and would love for you to contribute.
We look forward to your visit.
We have beautiful Fraser and Balsam Fir trees along with pine and spruce. Our courtyard is transformed into a forest - oh the smell - awesome! The wet fall has kept the trees lush and green. Along with the trees we have garland and wreaths to help you make your home look and smell special.
A cup of hot apple cider is waiting for you in the market. Lynda has been making up our Christmas cookie trays and pies are in the oven baking.
Traditions - they are what connects us all.
Many of you have been coming for all 27 years that we have been open at our Markham Farm on Kennedy Rd. Christmas is so traditional and sometimes it is the only time you visit us. Each year it seems I am reconnecting with friends, watching the kids grow and over the years come back with kids of their own. That is what makes this season so special to me.
As with life there are bends in the road and we are at a turning point in ours. After 27 years here on Kennedy Rd. we have been given notice of termination of our lease. This is our last season in Markham, the farm will officially close December 24th. Winter will be busy moving everything up to our Greenbank Farm where we will continue to be open for our strawberry, pumpkin and Christmas seasons.
There will be some changes, we haven't fully developed them. You will be able to see Dan at the Markham, Oshawa Centre and Whitby Farmers Markets along with his CSA. James is applying for the EG Farmers Market at Green Lane and Yonge St and there may be more. We will still be at the Markham Fair as well.
With that said we would love for you to visit - Customer Appreciation Days are the last 2 weekends before Christmas. Come in for a chat, bring a picture from your visits on the farm. We are making a memory board of the farm and would love for you to contribute.
We look forward to your visit.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
October Harvest Festival Happenings
Fall is now in the air with the cool breezes and cold nights. Halloween is quickly approaching and the fun continues. Our pumpkin crop has been amazing this year - in quality, size and numbers. Our pumpkin corral just keeps filling up to give you a great selection of pumpkins.
This will be the last weekend for our October Harvest Festival. Weather permitting we will have all our activities happening including pony rides and horse drawn wagon rides. Dress for the weather, dress to have fun. We are cooler on the farm with the open fields.
Sunday October 27th is special with Geissbergers Farmhouse Cider arriving with their award winning mobile cider press. We have over 4 bins of apples to press into cider and you can view the process. Come see how it is done. The fresh cider will be available for purchase at the farm.
The apples are fantastic this year. We now have over 7 varieties available in the market, fresh picked, including Honey Crisp, Ambrosia, Jona Gold and Fugi to name a few. We also have some incredible Bosc pears.
Come and enjoy. Our farm will be open until December 24th.
This will be the last weekend for our October Harvest Festival. Weather permitting we will have all our activities happening including pony rides and horse drawn wagon rides. Dress for the weather, dress to have fun. We are cooler on the farm with the open fields.
Sunday October 27th is special with Geissbergers Farmhouse Cider arriving with their award winning mobile cider press. We have over 4 bins of apples to press into cider and you can view the process. Come see how it is done. The fresh cider will be available for purchase at the farm.
The apples are fantastic this year. We now have over 7 varieties available in the market, fresh picked, including Honey Crisp, Ambrosia, Jona Gold and Fugi to name a few. We also have some incredible Bosc pears.
Come and enjoy. Our farm will be open until December 24th.
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