Blueberry Field

Blueberries in full bloom

Spring Frost Control

Our small farm is surrounded by the beautiful forested hills north of Bancroft, Ontario. The growing season is short with cool night temperatures, even at times in mid-summer. We enjoy clean air and water and a wide diversity of plant and animal species on our land. Every effort is made to preserve and encourage the natural balance around us while making our living growing berry crops.

An Ontario Department of Agriculture program in the early 1980s gave us our start in learning to grow and market a crop new to cultivation—the native Canadian lowbush blueberry. The Lowbush Blueberry New Crop Development Fund helped us to establish our first acre of blueberries. Since the program ended we have continued to adapt growing methods and equipment to our climate and situation. Over the years we have expanded our blueberry planting to 4 acres.

A strawberry enterprise was added a few years after starting the blueberries. Strawberry fruiting acreage averages about 4 acres. Both berry crops were designed to be harvested by customers coming to the farm to pick their own berries. Although the strawberries continue to be sold this way, at least half of the blueberry crop each season is now harvested by hired pickers and sold off the farm at local farm markets. Other farm products include homemade jam made entirely from wild and cultivated berries grown on the farm, and potted perennial flowers in full bloom.

Farm tasks continue year round and include all aspects of production and marketing. Part time employees assist us during planting and harvest seasons. We feel privileged to be able to work together in a beautiful natural setting.

Roger & Valerie Kelly