our story
There's no farm like Wellspring.
Located in the lush region of Glengarry county in Eastern Ontario, the McRae family has called a hundred acres home for nearly two hundred years. Today's family has been working as a team to farm using natural methods, free of all pesticides and fungicides for over twenty years. The land is situated near Haudenosaunee (Mohawk) territory, and we honour the presence of the Mohawk people and their long-standing relationship to the land that we now call home.
Gardening means a lot more to us than growing food. It's a way of life that connects us to the land. We work hard for our food, and in return we're nourished by delicious vegetables. We want to share the joy of Wellspring with you so that you too can grow your own food naturally.
We are always learning more about gardening, and inspired by new ideas and techniques, and we hope to collaborate with other passionate growers in the years to come.
what we do
Our Unique Approach
We use simple, efficient use of technology, combined with effective hands-on techniques. We work hand in hand with nature every step of the way, and engage tilling and crop management practices that have a low impact on the earth. We strive to enhance the health of the earth rather than deplete it.
We've been working with increasingly unpredictable weather conditions, and so far our system has fared well during extreme heat and wet conditions.
Allium
We've been growing vegetables from seed to harvest for decades. We specialize in organic garlic, and meticulously monitor our seed. Garlic has become a gourmet staple in many kitchens, while its chemical properties boost the immune system and strengthen heart health.
We also raise root vegetables, tomatoes, greens, and herbs that are hardy to our Canadian climate and
resilient in the wake of climate change. Our garlic and root vegetables are excellent crops to store away all
winter long.
Fields
Long ago, our fields sat
underwater when the Champlain Sea existed. When the water receded, it left behind rich minerals, creating incredibly fertile soil.
Coming in 2018, our fields will be planted with specialty grains. Some of the fields will also become orchards and pasture for grazing animals.
Forest
A big part of our farm
isn't farm at all...
It's trees!
Our 80-acre bush is a sanctuary for wildlife and home to diverse species of hard and soft-wood, as well as plants that we forage according to the season.
We will begin select-harvesting our trees for specialty wood products and maple syrup.
dreaming big
This is just the beginning. We continue to introduce perennials and choose resilient crops that will be able to withstand the effects of climate change in the years to come.
Workshops
There are few things more satisfying and empowering than the ability to grow your own food. We have a lot of experience under our belts, and we want to share our knowledge with people of all ages and abilities.
Community
Consider Wellspring a community hub where you can come to learn and to share your skills - skills we all need in a complex world.
find wellspring
An hour south of Ottawa and an hour east of Montreal, twenty minutes north of the Trans-Canada highway.
Contact us by phone or email if you're interested in a growing, learning, buying opportunity, or to arrange a visit.
