In 1995, when Tom Waller and Allaine Nordin first saw the bottom land and south-facing slopes of Elm Tree Farm (under the March snow), they knew they had found their new home. Gardening began that spring, and today, seven different gardens follow the contours of the soil, each with its own distinct character.
“Home-style organic produce” is the way Tom and Allaine describe the wide variety of vegetables they produce. Tom and Allaine grow their vegetables using Demeter Biodynamic Certified protocols. They work hard to achieve vibrant, living soil that is rich in minerals. These efforts are clearly evident. “The more nutritious the soil, the more flavour the food has,” say Tom and Allaine.
They offer a CSA (basket drop-offs in Sharbot Lake and Ottawa), restaurant deliveries; this is their third season supplying Beckta in Ottawa, and new this year, a farm store serving the local community. Elm Tree Farm is Demeter certified and a CRAFT host farm.
Members of: the Ontario Society for Biodynamic Farming and Gardening, Canadian Organic Growers, Savour Ottawa, Organic Council of Ontario, and the National Farmers Union. Tom is also a board member of Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario.