Meet Daniel of Country Thyme Farm:
The average age of Canadian farmers is roughly 55 years, and about half of those under that age depend on off-farm employment as their primary source of income. As agriculture becomes evermore intensive and industrial, making it as a young agrarian becomes evermore challenging. Given this, we thought it would be a good time to highlight some of our market's hardworking young producers.
Daniel Chappell of Country Thyme Farm has been cultivating a beautiful 40-acre piece of land near Bowden, Alberta since 2010. Though not a native Albertan, Daniel attended Olds College to study Production Horticulture and found his place here.
Social and environmental ethics factor largely into Daniel's growing business, and are obviously reflected in his practices. He believes in the correlation between the soil's health and that of the plants and animals he raises, and consequently of the people and critters he nourishes and the environment at large. His farming practice is strategically integrated and diverse, involving the production of fruits and vegetables, herbs, grains and livestock. This crop diversity is reflected in the soil biota and nutrient content, which Daniel can rely on to strengthen his plants and animals instead of artificial inputs. No chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides are used on Country Thyme Farm.
As part of their social stewardship, Daniel operates Country Thyme Farm within the economic model known as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), meaning that shares in the farm's seasonal harvest are sold pre-production and buyers become shareholders in the farm's future successes and failures. With consumers sharing in both the risk and reward, farmers are freed from being the sole bearer of burden in the event of losses due to uncontrollable occurrences such as hail or drought, and shareholders are rewarded for their commitment in abundant years. This model also shortens both the distance between producers and consumers, and the average time between harvest and consumption, making for closer relationships and fresher food. Vegetable, grain, chicken and duck egg and poultry shares are all available, and are delivered to shareholders weekly throughout the year.
Daniel specializes in heritage crops and livestock, meaning that the seeds he plants and the animals he raises are non-GMO, non-hybrid, and are often uncommon varieties not easily found in the grocery store. Daniel has become especially charmed by the heritage ducks and geese he keeps, taking pride in their vigour, diverse colours and characters, and the integral role they play in the nutrient cycle of the farm. His birds are ''day range'', meaning they have constant access to fresh air year-round, and to fresh pasture throughout the growing season, and are only closed in at night in order to protect them from predators. Daniel takes a preventative approach to the health care of his birds by ensuring that their diet is appropriate and their quarters clean. Homeopathic and herbal remedies are favoured in the rare event that birds do become ill.
Also on offer is a heritage variety of wheat called Red Fife, stone ground and very flavorful - great for bread baking. Come May, a large variety of herbs will be marketed too, both cut and potted, such as Basil, Dill, Mint, and Cilantro, but also some more unusual ones like Lovage, Marjoram, Sorrel, Horseradish, and edible flowers.
Daniel vends at the HSCA Farmer's Market year-round, so you can catch him there, as well as at both Red Deer's Public and Downtown Farmers' Markets, and the Olds Farmers' Market. More information, including CSA registration forms and contact details, is available on his website: www.countrythyme.ca.
