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The idea of eating local and organic has always been something interesting and endearing to myself. All over the world controversial arguments and politics have arisen, and the real question as to whether or not farming and eating organic has more pros than cons is something that has been questioned for a very long time. I recently was given the pleasure of introducing myself and having an engaging conversation with a local Ontario organic farmer. He had lots to say and didn't hold back on his very widely agreed upon opinions.
Mike Lanigan of Uxbridge, Ontario grew up on a farm in a rural area since the prime age of eight years old. Mike said that one of the major contributions as to why he decided to fulfill his want of becoming an organic farmer was because it was second nature. He grew up knowing nothing else and consuming only the most pure products grown in his own backyard. When he met his wife and the two engaged and voyaged on to their own farm, his wife's keen sense of 'master gardening' pushed him to open up the farm and begin to grow and sell all organic produce and meat. His farm in Uxbridge has been established since 1993 and has been a major producer to natural food stores and farmers markets for the past twenty plus years.
Mike was extremely open about all things controversial and had nothing to hold back when I asked several questions about his views on organics vs. non - organics all the way to how extreme of an organic farmer and living human being he really was.
He, like many others who enjoy to consume and live organic lives, has a very simple purpose; he does not like to consume pesticides and products that have been stimulated to grow to unnatural states. Mike humorously added something that really provided an eye - opening comparison and opinion; the fact that a basic salad that his wife will make for him gives him enough sustainability and energy for him to go out on to the field and farm and work, however going out to eat or eating non - organic and GMO products don't provide us with the same power. He explained that organic produce will NEVER be sprayed with fertilizers or pesticides, as many of his friends who own regular farms do ONCE a week, and that all of his natural organic farming methods take time and patience. Mike's machinery has not even been updated or changed since the 50's; and he really enjoys taking the time to improve and produce all natural and earthy produce. He went further into depth about how organic produce and vegetables grow deeply into the roots and ground, and take time, whereas a regular mass production farm will grow outwards rather than downwards. The fertilizers and pesticides used to speed up the growing process doesn't give the products enough time to grow in the proper manner.
Mike however is not an extremist, and admitted that he does not go as far as to never go out to restaurants that all clearly do not use organic products. In other terms I guess you could categorize Mike as a non - extremist, however someone that values organic products and sees a clear difference in farming organically.
I really learned a lot about the farming process and much more about how smaller production farms process and work. It was an extremely eye - opening process to see how just an hour away from the downtown core, that several small farms are producing for others and organically. I also learned that valuing and seeing value in organic living rather than non - organic farming and living doesn't have to be so extreme. People can live healthy lifestyles and lifestyles that push for a more organic and natural state, without being crazed and extreme. I was ecstatic to learn that he was extremely informative and pleased to share his story and what he does. He believes that it is a profession and lifestyle that needs to be shared with those that do not know too much about organic farming and living.
Below is a link to his farms Facebook page and a little brief history on himself and his farm. He also informed me that he does tours of his farm, and other fun and intriguing events such as foraging for yourself and picking crops to learn more about the process. He has not missed one week at the year round farmers market up in Thornhill (The Village Market) for the past twenty years, and he shared some free produce with myself that deemed to be absolutely fresh and amazing! I strongly promote The Farmhouse Garden and Mike Lanigan and put emphasis on meeting with and speaking to him more about organic farming.
The Farmhouse Garden: https://www.facebook.com/TheFarmhouseGarden/timeline
Mike Lanigan of Uxbridge, Ontario grew up on a farm in a rural area since the prime age of eight years old. Mike said that one of the major contributions as to why he decided to fulfill his want of becoming an organic farmer was because it was second nature. He grew up knowing nothing else and consuming only the most pure products grown in his own backyard. When he met his wife and the two engaged and voyaged on to their own farm, his wife's keen sense of 'master gardening' pushed him to open up the farm and begin to grow and sell all organic produce and meat. His farm in Uxbridge has been established since 1993 and has been a major producer to natural food stores and farmers markets for the past twenty plus years.
Mike was extremely open about all things controversial and had nothing to hold back when I asked several questions about his views on organics vs. non - organics all the way to how extreme of an organic farmer and living human being he really was.
He, like many others who enjoy to consume and live organic lives, has a very simple purpose; he does not like to consume pesticides and products that have been stimulated to grow to unnatural states. Mike humorously added something that really provided an eye - opening comparison and opinion; the fact that a basic salad that his wife will make for him gives him enough sustainability and energy for him to go out on to the field and farm and work, however going out to eat or eating non - organic and GMO products don't provide us with the same power. He explained that organic produce will NEVER be sprayed with fertilizers or pesticides, as many of his friends who own regular farms do ONCE a week, and that all of his natural organic farming methods take time and patience. Mike's machinery has not even been updated or changed since the 50's; and he really enjoys taking the time to improve and produce all natural and earthy produce. He went further into depth about how organic produce and vegetables grow deeply into the roots and ground, and take time, whereas a regular mass production farm will grow outwards rather than downwards. The fertilizers and pesticides used to speed up the growing process doesn't give the products enough time to grow in the proper manner.
Mike however is not an extremist, and admitted that he does not go as far as to never go out to restaurants that all clearly do not use organic products. In other terms I guess you could categorize Mike as a non - extremist, however someone that values organic products and sees a clear difference in farming organically.
I really learned a lot about the farming process and much more about how smaller production farms process and work. It was an extremely eye - opening process to see how just an hour away from the downtown core, that several small farms are producing for others and organically. I also learned that valuing and seeing value in organic living rather than non - organic farming and living doesn't have to be so extreme. People can live healthy lifestyles and lifestyles that push for a more organic and natural state, without being crazed and extreme. I was ecstatic to learn that he was extremely informative and pleased to share his story and what he does. He believes that it is a profession and lifestyle that needs to be shared with those that do not know too much about organic farming and living.
Below is a link to his farms Facebook page and a little brief history on himself and his farm. He also informed me that he does tours of his farm, and other fun and intriguing events such as foraging for yourself and picking crops to learn more about the process. He has not missed one week at the year round farmers market up in Thornhill (The Village Market) for the past twenty years, and he shared some free produce with myself that deemed to be absolutely fresh and amazing! I strongly promote The Farmhouse Garden and Mike Lanigan and put emphasis on meeting with and speaking to him more about organic farming.
The Farmhouse Garden: https://www.facebook.com/TheFarmhouseGarden/timeline