Certified Organic Farms in Perth-Waterloo-Wellington
The PWW region makes an important contribution to organic agriculture in the Ontario context. Overall, 10.4% of Ontario’s organic farms are located in the PWW area according to 2006 (most recent) Agricultural Census data. You can read a detailed report here to learn more about organic agriculture in the region.
COG PWW completed an acreage census of the region's certified organic farms in 2010 and found that there are nearly 10,000 acres incertified organic production in PWW.
Click on the links below to learn more about the people who grow our local organic food. For a complete list of certified organic farms in PWW and surrounding area, consult our Local Organic Farm Directory.
More coming soon...
August’s Harvest
On 50 certified organic acres just ten minutes outside of Stratford, Warren Ham and family have been producing garlic, shallots, Saskatoon berries and other produce for 20 years. In 2010, they started a CSA. They are also well-known for their preserves – various sauces, purees and glazes – and even pickled garlic flowers. See more at their website.
Fieldstone Farm
Bruce and Nancy Hunter run a diversified operation on their 165 certified organic acres. Growing a variety of crops like sunflowers, sweet corn, and an assortment of field crops, they also raise pork. Formerly a bed & breakfast operation, they now rent out a century home on their property to vacationers. Find details on their website.
Golden Acres Farm
Though their farm is 100 acres, the Fleischauer family only needs half an acre for the 34 varieties of garlic they produce. They also grow spring onions and dill for Pfenning’s store, and process garlic powder on-farm. They have very limited quantities though and only have product available at the Stratford Garlic Festival.
The Hahnderosa
Bruce and Diane Hahn farm over 100 acres near Monkton. They grow field crops like spelt, soybeans and mixed grains, along with raising beef cattle.
Hoover’s Maple Syrup
The Hoovers have been tapping syrup for many years. They have 50 acres of certified organic sugar bush and are expanding the number of taps they have in that lot every year. They also raise beef cattle and grow some grains on another 50 certified organic acres of their property. Learn more on their website.
Joyeview Farms
Joan and Philippe Joye specialize in certified organic chicken, but also grow organic cash crops. Their chicken is available at farm gate or at retail locations under the brand Field Gate Organics.
Mervin & Miriam Gingrich
Currently operating a much larger farm, Mervin and Miriam’s organic focus is a 7-acre section of vegetables, which they market directly through farm gate sales and food box-type programs like LOFT and Bailey’s Local Foods.
Organic Oasis
This mixed family farm has been running a farm store since 1991 and has been certified since 1993. Their store not only offers the variety of on-farm-produced goods such as produce (including many year-round options thanks to their greenhouses), meats and eggs, but also options like dairy, grain products and some non-food products to round out the offerings. To make your trip even more worthwhile, they offer seasonal u-picks and often give tours as well. See more on their website.
Passmore Family Farm
Bob and Carol produce certified organic beef and pork on 75 acres near St. Marys. Their products are available at farm gate, as well as at some local stores and restaurants.
Soiled Reputation
Our local Food Network celebrity, Antony John – aka The Manic Organic – produces a variety of gourmet greens and heirloom vegetables on 20 of his 40 certified organic acres near Sebringville. He supplies a number of area restaurants, and does farm gate sales as well. See more (including Antony’s art work and his blog) on their website.
Kingwood Farm
Mike and Debbie Loepp started farming commercially six years ago. They have 77 acres in organic production, most of which is in mixed grains (corn, spelt, and others). Their remaining five acres produces a range of field and greenhouse produce.
Ann Slater Fresh Organic Vegetables
Ann grew up on the dairy farm where she still lives and runs her own farm business today. She started market gardening in the 1970s, growing vegetables organically and selling most of them on a street corner in the centre of St. Marys and from the farm gate as a summer job through high school and university. She has always farmed organically and became certified in the mid-1990s. While many CSA customers do not require certification, Ann feels that it is important to put some solid standards behind her “organic” label and likes to contribute to the wider organic community.
Koert Organics
Dave Koert has only been working as a farmer for a couple years, but his CSA boasts 150 different varieties of fruits and vegetables! He grew up on a farm and now farms three acres on his uncle’s property. You can follow him on his blog at http://dkorganicfarms.blogspot.com.
More coming soon…
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"We have lawyers, doctors and accountants; we really should all have our own farmer." - Margaret Webb |