The 8 Best Regenerative Farms in Ontario [2023]

  • Published: August 29, 2023

Get ready to discover a remarkable journey through Ontario’s finest farms that are all about giving back to the land. We’re about to introduce you to the 8 best regenerative farms in Ontario. These farms aren’t like your usual ones – they’re special places where nature and farming work together in perfect harmony. 

And in case you’re craving more countryside experiences, we have the best picks just for you:

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From super healthy fields to farmers who really care about nature, we’re going to show you stories that will make you smile. Let’s jump in!

Summary

What Are Regenerative Farms Known For?

Regenerative farms are known for:

  • Healthy Soil: They work to improve soil quality and fertility through techniques like cover cropping, composting, and reduced tillage.
  • Natural Methods: They avoid synthetic chemicals and use natural solutions for pest control and plant health.
  • Biodiversity: They promote diverse plant and animal species to create a balanced ecosystem.
  • Water Efficiency: They use smart water practices to conserve resources and prevent erosion.
  • Carbon Capture: They help fight climate change by storing carbon in the soil.
  • Community Engagement: They connect with local communities through direct sales and educational efforts.
  • Sustainability: Their practices ensure long-term land productivity and health.

So, regenerative farms take a different approach. They focus on practices that restore and enhance the land. They improve soil health, use natural methods for plant protection, encourage diverse ecosystems, save water, capture carbon, engage with the community, and ensure sustainable farming for the future.

The 8 Best Regenerative Farms in Ontario

Now that you understand a bit more about regenerative farms, let’s explore the top ones in Ontario!

1. VG Meats

VG Meats specializes in small herds in Stoney Creek and Simcoe, Ontario. Employing regenerative farming, they raise antibiotic-free beef and other meats. With a family-run focus, they prioritize quality, ethics, and sustainability. They foster a cattle-land symbiosis for soil regeneration, animal well-being, and water-retentive soil. Cover crops are used to prevent erosion and benefit organisms. As part of the Harvest to Gather initiative, they offer locally sourced food through regenerative farming.

Business Information:

Web: vgmeats.ca
Email: info@vgmeats.ca
Phone: Simcoe: +15194262000 / Stoney Creek: +19056642020
Address: 966 Concession 6 Woodhouse, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4K4 / 131 Upper Centennial Pkwy, Stoney Creek, ON L8J 0B2

2. Kendall Hills Farm

Emily and Dave, the owners, are all about regenerative agriculture. Their freely roaming pasture-raised fowl prove just that. Gourmet mushrooms flourish under the forest canopy, each delicacy a result of their nurturing hands. From chickens to turkeys, quails to ducks, geese to rabbits, and even pork, their bountiful offerings tell a story of sustainable stewardship. Kendal Hills Farm: Where the past dances with the present, and each harvest is a promise for a flourishing future!

Business Information:

Web: farmersmarketsontario.com
Phone: +14168241917
Address: 8075 Maynard Rd, Orono, ON L0B 1M0

3. Rowe Farms

Rowe Farms is a family-run farm that practices regenerative farming, prioritizing land regeneration and premium products. They surpass organic standards by focusing on holistic land management, crop diversity, and soil health enhancement. Utilizing no-till techniques, cover crops, and livestock rotation, they maintain soil integrity and reduce erosion. Their commitment extends to environmentally-friendly food production, aligning with regenerative principles for nourishing, sustainable results.

Business Information:

Web: rowefarms.ca
Email: info@rowefarms.ca
Phone: +14165323738
Address: Headquartered at 105 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 2K9

4. Heartwood Farm & Cidery

The farm serves as devoted stewards of a 42-acre property, nurturing cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, bees, apples, maple trees, and more. Opting for regenerative farming, they ensure the utmost health for their soil, water systems, agriculture, and livestock. Crafting delectable small-batch ciders, they incorporate ingredients from their land and local community, including apples, maple syrup, and unique elements like currants and peaches. Their ciders are a blend of sophistication and adventure, yet remain approachable, embodying the essence of craft cider.

Business Information:

Web: heartwoodfarm.ca
Phone: +12269797860
Address: 5438 2nd Line Erin, Acton, Ontario, L7J 2L9

5. Riverdale Farm & Forest

Owen Goltz, resident farmer and master arborist, extends consultancy in vegetable gardening, pasture management, tree and shrub care, and forest management. Owen and the team also provide off-farm services, such as trail creation, woodlot management, and bush hogging, when schedules allow. The farm cultivates a smaller variety of summer vegetables, with extras offered at the lane’s end on the wagon for self-service. Feel free to bring your bag for purchases!

Business Information:

Web: riverdalefarmandforest.ca
Email: info@riverdalefarmandforest.ca
Phone: +19058385499
Address: 15707 McLaughlin Rd, Inglewood, ON L7C 1N2

6. GoodLot Farm & GoodLot Farmstead Brewing Co.

GoodLot is an organic hop farm and brewery that uses ingredients grown on-site and by local Ontario farmers. Founded in 2009 by Gail and Phil Winters with acquisition of the Pinkney Farm, the business evolved into a hop-growing venture of 1,500 plants and the birth of a brewery in 2017. The farm’s commitment to regenerative farming ensures sustainable practices, soil health, and community connection!

Business Information:

Web: goodlot.beer
Phone: +15199275881
Address: 8075 Maynard Rd, Orono, ON L0B 1M0

7. Blue Sky Beef

Blue Sky Beef is a family farm that provides premium ground beef, all-beef burgers, sausages, stew meat, roasts, and feature boxes. The farm practices regenerative agriculture on their 100 acres of holistically managed pasture. They raise Speckle Park cattle, a distinctly Canadian breed known for high-quality beef. They direct market premium beef and are dedicated to providing local food.

Business Information:

Web: blue-sky-beef.square.site
Email: blueskybeef.farm@gmail.com
Phone:+15198313034
Address: 8648 Hwy 6, Arthur, ON N0G 1A0

8. Whole Village Property Co-Op

Whole Village Property Co-Op is a farming ecovillage co-op committed to resilient, regenerative systems. Their regenerative farming emphasizes holistic approaches for soil health and biodiversity restoration. Sustainability and local food are priorities, along with permaculture practices for self-sufficient ecosystems. They also provide workshops on sustainable living!

Business Information:

Web: wholevillage.org
Phone: +15199411099
Address: 20725 Shaws Creek Rd, Caledon, ON, L7K 1L7

FAQs About Regenerative Farming

Explore local farmers’ markets and CSA programs for direct access to regenerative produce. Check online directories like LocalHarvest and follow local farms on social media for updates.
Regenerative farming in Ontario involves practices such as cover cropping, minimal tillage, crop rotation, and organic composting to enhance soil health. It focuses on biodiversity, reduced chemical use, and carbon capture. Many farms emphasize holistic management, community engagement, and sustainable, diverse product offerings like pasture-raised livestock and gourmet mushrooms.
Regenerative agriculture is a holistic approach to farming that promotes soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability. Carbon farming is a subset of regenerative agriculture specifically focused on capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the soil. While carbon farming emphasizes carbon sequestration, regenerative agriculture encompasses a wider range of practices for overall ecosystem health.
Restorative agriculture repairs degraded land to its previous state, while regenerative agriculture goes further by continuously enhancing land’s health and resilience, aiming for sustainable thriving ecosystems.

Conclusion

As we conclude our journey through Ontario’s finest regenerative farms, we’re left with a vibrant tapestry of sustainability and flavor. These farms are more than places; they’re pledges to nurture the land, nourish communities, and create a thriving tomorrow. With every harvest and heartfelt connection, the spirit of regenerative agriculture shines – a reminder that the earth’s vitality, when cherished, blossoms in abundance!

And if you’re looking for a cozy spot to unwind after visiting these farms, we have the best picks just for you:

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Veronika Zotova

Veronika Zotova

Veronika Zotova is marketing manager at Local View Tech. She was born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine. Learn More About Veronika Zotova

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