Unbeknownst to many, the University of Guelph has is very own self sustainable organic farm! It is run completely by an amazing lady named Martha, and many keen volunteers. The organic farm is on the east side of campus right bedside the Arboretum; you just need to follow the carrot trail to find it. I had heard about the organic farm before coming with the outdoor school class but never had the opportunity to visit it. Every Thursday in the early fall is the day of the market and is the busiest day there.
However, no matter the day, there is always work to be done on the farm. Plants need to be watered, weeded, harvested, and sold. I often would harvest vegetables and help get produce ready so it could be sold at the market on Thursdays. It was a bit strange in the beginning to be working on a farm without big machinery like I am used to, but it was a unique experience and made me feel as though I was really working with the land and I appreciated where the food was coming from at a new level. My favourite task however, was definitely selling. I loved to be able to interact with Guelph locals and other university students, and share my gardening knowledge with others as well as learn about the different types of produce grown and sold at the farm.
With over half a dozen green houses and fields galore, there is so much variety that the farm has in store. It contains all the produce you would expect to find, including: tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkins carrots of many varieties, as well as some more uncommon foods. Things like mouse melons, tomatillos, hot peppers, and sour melons, to name a few. As well as my personal favourite to sell, the magic onions. These plants have similar healing properties to aloe vera plants and as flower a beautiful orange colour in the winter. This was one of the many things I learned about on the farm from Martha. It seems like every time I go there I end up learning something new, which make me love going there so much more. As well as, this new knowledge was a great conversation starter. I also found that there were many regulars that I got to know and converse with throughout the weeks of the market. It has become a large part of many folks lives and they schedule coming to the farm every week into their busy lives. Plus, for university students, there are student prices to help make the food more affordable. On top of the fact that the food sold is already at such a great price compared to grocery stores. This is great way for people to eat more healthy in a more affordable way.
The organic farm is and amazing place to go and it reminds me of being back home on the farm. Even after completing my 10 hours, I continue to go and help volunteer there since it is a great place to be able to go and take a break from studying. It has been spectacular experience and I am so glad to have been able to find out about this little farm. I definitely plan on continuing to help out in the future and in years to come.
Nicole Corley