As we conclude the year, the GreenReach family would like to extend our deepest appreciation to everyone who has supported us on this journey. It’s been a truly transformative year as we turned years of study and conceptual design into a living, breathing farm. From the moment we began renovations behind the Bell Tower, we’ve been met with open arms by the community. Along the way, we’ve made new friends, found community champions, and felt the warmth of Gananoque’s spirit. Thank you! To close the year, we wanted to share some of our favourite moments – fun, moving, and uniquely Gananoque.
International Inspirations
We do our best to provide a personalized tour to every visitor at the farm. During these tours, we highlight some of our favourite produce and showcase what makes farms like ours unique. Authentic Italian arugula is always a crowd-pleaser – its peppery bite brings memories of culinary adventures flooding back for many.
These tours often spark conversations about “real” food, flavours, and the stories behind them. Over time, these shared experiences have shaped our farm’s offerings. Bok choy, Swiss chard, tomatoes, strawberries, kale, and more have joined our repertoire, all inspired by the stories and tastes shared by our visitors. We cherish these connections and hope our produce becomes part of your stories too.
Unexpected Treats
Throughout the year, we’ve been delighted by the gifts and creations from our community. From Turkish stews to pestos, purées, dressings, and even wine, these thoughtful and delicious surprises, made with or paired with our produce, have been both heartwarming and inspiring.
Historic, Heroic, Family History
We take pride in educating every person who visits our farm, sharing the story of who we are and why urban agriculture matters. In return, we’ve been privileged to learn about the incredible family legacies of our visitors. Hearing stories of heroic Canadians and historic family milestones has been humbling and rewarding. These connections deepen our appreciation for the community we serve and remind us why we do what we do.
Sowing Community Seeds
Barring a rookie error on our behalf, the produce grown at our farm is very tasty. The romaine is sweet and crunchy, the mustard greens are crisp and spicy, and the arugula is awesome. Over time, we’ve earned the privilege of growing tomatoes from seeds provided by one young couple. Pomodoro seeds, directly from Italy, were originally traded for freshly grown garlic. These seeds are from a personal collection, to be grown at GreenReach and shared with the community.
I Don’t Like Salads!
This is how we were greeted by a husband when delivering fresh salad greens ordered by his spouse. After an awkward pause, he softly admitted, “I’m now enjoying salads five nights a week.”
Caprese on a Budget
GreenReach hosted Engineering and Biotech students from St. Lawrence College in early November. They joined us for a farm tour and a lecture with the Chief Economist from the Ministry of Agriculture. The GreenReach team provided Caprese salads made with our fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and a balsamic reduction. Following a short hesitation at the serving counter, the line quickly became longer than pre-ticket sales for a Taylor Swift concert.
Trust Me. You’ll Like It!
Nearly every person to visit the farm has had a tour, including a sampling. We like to provide a little snippet of one of our mustard greens as an example of the impact of controlled environment growth. The mustard greens are crisp, light, and flavorful with a nose-clearing kick. When the GreenReach team conducts tours, we ask if the customer is okay with “heat” and caution them to try a small bite.
However, as visitors who’ve experienced the full tour invite friends and family, they often take on the role of tour guide themselves. They do a thorough job educating their guests until it comes to the mustard greens. Samples get larger, and the cautionary note often disappears. The resulting reactions, language, and laughter are truly entertaining.
GreenReach Champions
The GreenReach team has been busy – growing, touring, educating, researching, developing new growing technology, and even lecturing at Queen’s University. We couldn’t have accomplished all that we have this year without our GreenReach Champions. These dedicated individuals are committed to sharing the GreenReach story with everyone they know. They don’t ask for permission; they simply walk into the farm, grab a handful of our postcards, and away they go. Our vision of providing the community with fresh, four-season produce has been taken up by this passionate group.
Thank you for making this year unforgettable. Thank you for welcoming us into the community. And thank you for making our little farm, your little farm. We look forward to growing together in the year ahead, creating new memories, and sharing the bounty of fresh, local, and sustainable produce with you all. Here’s to another year of innovation, community, and connection. Happy New Year from the GreenReach family!
