Highwood Crossing Farm
Aldersyde, Alberta
Highwood Crossing is a family owned, certified organic grain farm located next to the Highwood River south of Calgary. When owners, Tony Marshall and his wife, Penny, switched over to sustainable organic farming methods in 1989, they were returning to agricultural practices that were similar to those used on the same farm by Tony's great-grandfather nearly 100 years earlier.
The Marshalls grow, among other things, organic wheat, rye, flax, canola, oats, barley, peas, hay and sweet clover. Their cold pressed flax and canola oils are produced on site. With a nutritional profile similar to extra virgin olive oil, rich in vitamin E, Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, these oils also have more pure and expressive flavours and aromas than their chemically refined counterparts.
www.highwoodcrossing.com
Poplar Bluff Farms
Strathmore, Alberta
Robert Boschman and Rosemary Wotske grow ten varieties of potatoes on their organic farm just south of Strathmore, as well as onions and a variety of other root vegetables such as carrots and beets. In addition to their farming duties, the two partners also hand deliver their products. "I really like the connectedness of it," Wotske says. "It's not just the connectedness to the farm, but to the people who are cooking it."
Brassica Mustard
Calgary, Alberta
Brassica Mustard is made by Karen Davis and Desmond Johnston, who got their start in the mustard business as they were looking to make Christmas gifts for family and friends one year. It is a little known fact that Canada is the world's single largest exporter of mustard seed, and Brassica is made using the highest quality Alberta grown mustard seed and local honey.
www.brassicamustard.com.com
Sooke Hills Trout
Vancouver Island, B.C.
Jack Nickolichuk and family have been growing rainbow trout in man-made lakes on their thirty-seven acre farm in the Sooke Hills near Victoria. The fish are fed top quality feed that is free from antibiotics, hormones and medicines.
|
Sylvan Star Cheese
North of Red Deer, Alberta
John and Janny Shalkwyk started a Holstein dairy farm near Sylvan Lake in 1999 after farming in Holland for 30 years. Their first gouda was made in 1999, and only one year later Sylvan Star won best in its category at the Canadian Dairymen's Show in 2000.
According to Schalkwyk, "The difference is the feed for the cows. I like to feed the cows a lot of alfalfa and grass. That is better for the cheese the fat of the cream in the milk will be softer than with barley or corn. The softer fat will give better aroma, and more flavour in the cheese."
Grainworks
near Vulcan, south east of Calgary
The Smith family homesteaded their farm near Vulcan in 1912, which was one of the first in Alberta to receive organic certification in 1986. They not only raise their own organic crops (wheat, barley, flax and oats) but they also market grains and legumes for other Alberta organic growers.
We use their coarse ground cornmeal for our polenta, lending it a hearty texture and flavour. The garbonzo beans, lentils and quinoa from our menu are all organic products from Grainworks.
www.grainworks.com
Broek Pork Acres
Calhurst, Southern Alberta
Allan and Joanne Vanden Broek raise their hogs outdoors on pasture without growth stimulants, antibiotics or animal byproducts. The varied diet their hogs consume help to make the pork more nutrient rich and we also believe results in a better tasting dish.
www.broekporkacres.com
Spring Creek Ranch Beef
Vegreville, Central Alberta
Part of the Highland Alberta Beef Alliance, all cattle from the Kotelko family operated ranch are never fed or administered antibiotics, growth hormones or animal-byproducts.
www.springcreek.ca
|
