Belleville Farmers Market

A local farm with historical network from PEC to Richmond Hill, Bala, Napanee, and Port Hope. Approximately 5 acres arable farm gardens and orchards, on hilly, clay / loam A spring fed creek at base of garden is used for irrigation. Learned with farmers who plowed whole fields walk-behind mode, full blazing sun notwithstanding. Squirrelled for apples at 8 (the astute farmer paid the 8 year old a man’s wage!!) Originally, certified organic; we continue with overall organic practice, despite so few staff Use chemical fertilizer, but no herbicide. We grow 4 kinds of pears, 14 + (many) varieties of apples; blue grapes, raspberries, rhubarb, garlic, kale, tomatoes, peppers, beets, carrots, potatoes, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, pumpkins. We offer dry cedar and dry ash as kindling and firewood. To provide desired pairing of certain fruits/produce, we work in cooperation with trusted farmers for supplemental honey, strawberries, raspberries, apples. Farms have come a long way from when I worked for 50 cents an hour for an 8 hour day of hoeing cabbage and pruning apple trees. Written by Harry McMurter, Charlen Farm