Producer
Cookstown Greens
Contact: Kevin Belluz, local distributor for the Ffrench Family
Address: 6321 9th Line Essa Township, ON, L0L 2N0
Phone: 705-458-9077
Website: http://www.cookstowngreens.com
About Us
We are a family-run farm growing over 120 varieties of the best certified organic vegetables, greens, seedlings, garnishes and edible flowers.
We are located 1 hour north of Toronto, in Essa township. We have 5 heated greenhouses and 100 acres of rich, loamy soil, and have been producing healthful, organic food since 1988.
We leave part of our land untouched and use non-intensive farming methods, which contributes to our farm’s biodiversity.
Certified Organice by Pro-CertCertified by Pro-Cert
Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd. (Pro-Cert) is one of North America’s foremost national certifier’s of organic products. Pro-Cert’s certification program is recognized globally, providing international access to the products and brands they certify.
We are located 1 hour north of Toronto, in Essa township. We have 5 heated greenhouses and 100 acres of rich, loamy soil, and have been producing healthful, organic food since 1988.
We leave part of our land untouched and use non-intensive farming methods, which contributes to our farm’s biodiversity.
Certified Organice by Pro-CertCertified by Pro-Cert
Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd. (Pro-Cert) is one of North America’s foremost national certifier’s of organic products. Pro-Cert’s certification program is recognized globally, providing international access to the products and brands they certify.
Practices
We are well known for our quality and flavour and there are several factors that contribute to achieving this.
Our Soil
Our soil naturally has a higher percentage of clay, which has considerably more nutrient reserves and exchanges than sandy soil (commonly used in vegetable farming, because it’s easy to work with). This type of soil is the perfect habitat for natural life, such as earthworms, microorganisms and (good) bacteria - Our farm is full of them and growing each year! Because it is naturally more fertile and nutritious than sand soils, we import very little organic fertilizer and rely mostly on organic matter and natural processes to replenish the soil’s nutrients. Learn more about how the flavour comes from our soil.
Long, 3 Year Cover-Crop Rotations
On any given field, in year 1, we grow vegetables (to sell), and the following 2 years we grow cover crops such as clover, rye, radish or peas (what we seed depends on what type of nutrients the soil needs). This is then cut down, and left in the soil as dead matter. It is then decomposed by the earthworms and microbes, which release nutrients back into the soil. Most large, organic farmers grow cover crops, but often only in 2-year rotations. Our long, 3-year cover crop rotations ensure that the soil’s nutrients are fully replenished, and as naturally as possible. Nutrients and flavour are directly linked, and this is one significant reason why our vegetables taste so good.
Seed Selections & Growing Methods
We have spent years identifying the varieties that we can grow the best, and that produce outstanding flavours. We seed in a specific way so that we get the perfect sized vegetable. For example, most of our carrots are smaller and more slender than the exact same variety grown by another farm, this is because we are particular about the distance between each seed (less distance= skinner carrot). We continue to grow this way because it’s what our customers want.
Hand Selection & Consistency
Everything passes through our hands before it is brought inside to the fridge, or put into storage. We have high selection and packing standards and package by hand. This translates into quality and consistency - Our customers know that they will always get the same quality every time they buy Cookstown Greens.
Our Approach – Sustainability & Responsibility
As stewards of the land, Cookstown Greens consistently practices ethical and responsible standards in everything we do.
In addition to growing organically, we foster the development of a healthy ecosystem through methods such as green manure rotation, compost, and sub surface irrigation, which uses 30-40% less water than the sprinkler methods. We only irrigate a small portion of the time, and take much less than permitted. Learn more about our water supply and irrigation methods.
Our Soil
Our soil naturally has a higher percentage of clay, which has considerably more nutrient reserves and exchanges than sandy soil (commonly used in vegetable farming, because it’s easy to work with). This type of soil is the perfect habitat for natural life, such as earthworms, microorganisms and (good) bacteria - Our farm is full of them and growing each year! Because it is naturally more fertile and nutritious than sand soils, we import very little organic fertilizer and rely mostly on organic matter and natural processes to replenish the soil’s nutrients. Learn more about how the flavour comes from our soil.
Long, 3 Year Cover-Crop Rotations
On any given field, in year 1, we grow vegetables (to sell), and the following 2 years we grow cover crops such as clover, rye, radish or peas (what we seed depends on what type of nutrients the soil needs). This is then cut down, and left in the soil as dead matter. It is then decomposed by the earthworms and microbes, which release nutrients back into the soil. Most large, organic farmers grow cover crops, but often only in 2-year rotations. Our long, 3-year cover crop rotations ensure that the soil’s nutrients are fully replenished, and as naturally as possible. Nutrients and flavour are directly linked, and this is one significant reason why our vegetables taste so good.
Seed Selections & Growing Methods
We have spent years identifying the varieties that we can grow the best, and that produce outstanding flavours. We seed in a specific way so that we get the perfect sized vegetable. For example, most of our carrots are smaller and more slender than the exact same variety grown by another farm, this is because we are particular about the distance between each seed (less distance= skinner carrot). We continue to grow this way because it’s what our customers want.
Hand Selection & Consistency
Everything passes through our hands before it is brought inside to the fridge, or put into storage. We have high selection and packing standards and package by hand. This translates into quality and consistency - Our customers know that they will always get the same quality every time they buy Cookstown Greens.
Our Approach – Sustainability & Responsibility
As stewards of the land, Cookstown Greens consistently practices ethical and responsible standards in everything we do.
In addition to growing organically, we foster the development of a healthy ecosystem through methods such as green manure rotation, compost, and sub surface irrigation, which uses 30-40% less water than the sprinkler methods. We only irrigate a small portion of the time, and take much less than permitted. Learn more about our water supply and irrigation methods.