








Fair Fields is a new market garden on a scenic farm near Neustadt, ON. The farm has about 40 workable acres, all of which were in hay until this year. Few chemical inputs are used on hay which is good for organic production.
(Unfortunately, hayfields leave a legacy of deep-rooted and persistent perennial plants that have to be rooted out of the vegetable gardens over and over!)
The remaining 60 acres harbor a young pine forest along the western ridge, a gravel moraine left by retreating glaciers, wildflower meadows, old orchards, and several acres of mixed hardwoods.
At the front of the property is a beautiful spring-fed pond which
provides habitat for wild geese and ducks, and serves as a watering hole for deer.
In 2012, we are cultivating just one acre of vegetables, herbs and small fruits. This area will be expanded in coming years. We will be planting fruit trees, cut flower gardens, and experimenting with organic hop production. Next year we will install honey bee hives near the pond.
In future, we plan to have chickens and a small number of pigs, whose manure we will use in the fields. We also hope to use draft horses for fieldwork.
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