For us at One Diploma Organics, with the ability to inform and share the tales of the farmers we meet is what our model is all about; nonetheless, like with any large challenge, there’s a ton of behind-the-scenes exercise that takes place, and we’re excited to share a peek into what our journey to Ontario was all about.
From the time our household landed at Toronto Worldwide, they hit the bottom working, and this time it was a whole household affair as Stan, Kathy, and Alonna all traveled collectively to go to our unbelievable spelt farm associate Osprey Organics.
Flying into Toronto
Osprey Organics Farm, two hours from Toronto, is a family-owned, 3,500-acre licensed natural farm. Jamie and Sandy Gott are the founders of Osprey Organics; they run Ice River Springs alongside their daughter, Crystal Gott.
Smith & Gott household (2025)
We had been amazed by the operations on the Ice River Sustainable Options facility. Ice River is the umbrella firm to a number of of the Gott household’s ventures. From their recycling plant to their automated water bottling facility, plastic manufacturing, farms, greenhouse, restaurant, retailer, and unbelievable natural farms, there was a lot to see and be taught.
Timeline of Ice River Springs which was based in 1995
In 2010, they based Osprey Organics and opened Blue Mountain Plastics Recycling (BMP). Osprey Organics strives to scale back their carbon footprint and domesticate grains which are grown in wholesome soil, in essentially the most sustainable means doable. They look after the soil by including naturally occurring fertilizers similar to inexperienced manure or foliage plow-downs to construct the soil well being of their fields.
Their recycling facility produces food-grade resin used to create the bottles for his or her spring water firm, referred to as Ice River Inexperienced Bottle Co. They’re the primary beverage firm in North America to gather blue field supplies to provide their 100% recycled plastic bottles utilizing no new plastic.
Crystal taking the Smith household by means of the recycling plant
Crystal shared that this facility recycles 55 million kilos of PET plastic, per yr. PET plastic is a transparent, sturdy, and light-weight plastic that’s good for recycling.
Smith household getting a tour of the Ice River Extrusion facility
We additionally obtained to see inside their Blue Mountain Plastics (BMP) Extrusions firm that develops eco-friendly packaging. A couple of of the machines of their facility appeared like one thing out of a storybook.
Ice River Springs Water Firm
Crystal was additionally form sufficient to additionally present us by means of their bottled water firm. It was unbelievable to see the quantity of automation that their services operated on.
In contrast to some bottled waters which are closely processed, Ice River spring water accommodates pure calcium and magnesium. The spring water they use flows by means of the earth, it passes by means of layers of rock that clear and enrich it with minerals.
The Smith household assembly Jamie & Sandy Gott for lunch of their new Utopia market
After an unbelievable tour of their facility, we had been taken to their newly constructed Utopia market retailer. This gorgeous barn was constructed solely from wooden and constructed by hand. We had been welcomed by Sandy and Jamie and proven across the barn, which at each flip showcased unbelievable structure and a focus to element.
The view from the barn window
We loved an awesome lunch collectively earlier than saying goodbye to Sandy, who needed to keep behind and end the previous few touches on this new market earlier than opening. Utopia market is about to be open by now. Sandy and Jamie even requested if they might promote a few of our sprouted merchandise of their retailer, which we will definitely be taking them up on. Be sure you cease by when you find yourself within the space.
Crystal, Jamie & Sandy taking the Smith household alongside the farm grounds of their new facility
After this, we had been led by Jamie by means of his new facility, which he shared is just not but operational; it’s nonetheless a piece in progress.
Jamie Gott & Eric taking the Smith household by means of their new improvement
The Gott household believes that working with nature naturally yields goodness from the land. Jamie walked and talked Stan by means of a machine he not too long ago bought from China, he defined that he needed to rent and make investments rather a lot find individuals that may assemble it. This machine will likely be used to generate CO2 that will likely be pumped into the greenhouse that will likely be rising greens.
We felt like we needed to remain longer, nonetheless, we needed to say our goodbyes to Jamie as he needed to go harvest some spelt, earlier than the storm got here within the subsequent day. The lifetime of a farmer is all the time managed by the climate.
Eric & Stan standing on a freshly harvested Osprey Organics farm
We had been then taken by Eric the farm supervisor to one in all Osprey Organics oat area which was not too long ago harvested.
Osprey Organics practices low-till and multi-species cowl crops, leaving the carbon within the soil. These natural practices not solely guarantee wholesome soil for the subsequent crop, however in addition they guarantee it for years to return. Once we visited their natural oat farm, it was not too long ago harvested. The farm supervisor, Eric, talked about that they deliberately go away crops behind so as to add carbon to the soil. It’s one thing that they’ve finished for years, and the proof is within the grain.
Alonna & Stan listening to Eric clarify the significance of rotating crops
Southern Ontario, the place Osprey Natural Farms is positioned, is thought for having fertile soil over a lot of the area which was left by the glaciers. The south of Ontario can also be recognized to have a good local weather for agriculture.
Stan & Alonna interviewing Eric about farming spelt
Within the picture above is Stan, and Alonna are creating a part of the farmer video by asking Eric some questions on rising Spelt and the challenges that come up with rising natural grains in Ontario.
Alonna explaining to Eric that he’ll finally see Osprey Organics because the farmer the subsequent time he will get a bag of spelt flour
Natural farming first emerged in Canada within the Nineteen Fifties. Greater than half of all licensed farms are present in Western Canada with Saskatchewan having greater than every other province, with greater than 1000.
The Smith household & Eric watching Jamie Gott harvest spelt
We had been additionally invited to observe Jamie harvest the previous few acres of spelt on one other area that additionally operates underneath Osprey Organics. The problem with harvesting such massive items of land is that it could typically get caught within the mix, which might solely be fastened by cleansing it by hand. That is what occurred whereas we had been watching Jamie harvest spelt, and it’s a tedious activity that many farmers dislike.
Jamie Gott driving the mix
When Jamie was finished harvesting spelt he drove the mix again to their processing facility.
A tote of freshly harvested spelt from Osprey Organics
Eric talked about that he couldn’t allow us to go away with out exhibiting us their milling facility the place within the colder seasons they mill their very own flour on a a lot smaller scale in comparison with our facility in Mission, BC.
Eric taking the Smith household on a tour of their seasonal milling facility
We additionally obtained to carry and see the spelt that Jamie harvested. This spelt is often cleaned and despatched to our facility in BC, the place we course of and mill our personal spelt flour. Nevertheless, earlier than we try this, the spelt grains are sprouted and dried.
Spelt complete grains straight from the farm
Ontario contains of assorted landscapes, together with huge, rocky, and mineral-rich Canadian Defend, which is thought to separate the fertile farmland within the south and the grassy lowlands of the north. There are greater than 250,000 lakes round Ontario, which include one-fifth of the world’s recent water.
Jamie Gott harvesting the final little bit of spelt from his farm
We’re so thrilled to have had the chance to expertise and see firsthand how our natural grains are grown.
This behind-the-scenes peek into our journey to Ontario: keep tuned to our web page for the full-farmer video and story of Osprey Organics, coming quickly. Keep within the loop by following us on Fb, Instagram, and TikTok for scrumptious content material and extra alternatives to fulfill the farmers behind our elements.
REFERENCES
