UNCOVERING WELLINGTON COUNTY: CORWHIN HERBS AND PRODUCE

CORWHIN HERBS AND PRODUCE

WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN

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PUSLINCH A few years back, Barclay Nap, pondering the issue of sustainability, came up with a fantastic idea – namely, to plant vegetable and herb plots on the bits of land formerly thought ‘unusable’ on his family’s Moffat farm. The result: a successful Community Shared Agriculture (or CSA) venture and (sometimes) roadside stand, both of which feature fresh local herbs and produce. ‘Rich Ontario farmland, which is disappearing at an alarming pace, is too valuable to waste,’ observes Barclay, ‘and yet most farms have odd-shaped slivers of fertile land that go unused because today’s larger machinery can’t reach them.’ He continues: 'My mission has been to reclaim these bits one garden at a time.’ So far, Barclay’s cleared and made usable several awkward corners of the family farm – including a triangular plot, long narrow rectangular piece of land, and a stepped garden on the side of a steep hill. While Barclay grows an abundance of vegetables on these plots – including rhubarb, beets, asparagus, tomatoes, and zucchinis – herbs are his specialty. Culinary herbs like arugula, mint, basil, lovage, and tarragon. And medicinal herbs like catnip, echinacea, yarrow, sorrel, and lavender. Ultimately, what Barclay’s CSA customers receive in their weekly pick-ups is whatever’s growing. Fresh. Local. Delicious.

Like so many other remarkable farms and food businesses that dot Guelph and Wellington County, Corwhin Herbs and Produce is a partner of Taste Real – a County of Wellington program that promotes local food and facilitates valuable connections among food businesses, consumers, craftspeople, and farmers alike. That includes farmers like Barclay Nap, whose enterprise brings fresh local food to our lives. Learn more at corwhinherbsandproduce.ca and

tastereal.ca

EXPLORE LOCAL THIS SUMMER

Go beyond the farm gate with the

Taste Real FOOD EXPERIENCE GUIDE.

Participate in tours, explore farm experiences, find the best eateries, and so much more. Pick up your copy of the guide and get inspired.

GO ON THE FARMERS’ MARKET TRAIL

Pick up your Taste

Real FARMERS’ MARKET TRAIL

passport and discover Wellington County’s eight outstanding farmers’ markets. Stamp your passport along the way for a chance to win one of eight $100 market prize packs.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FALL RURAL ROMP

Saturday, September 24th 10am – 4pm A free, self-guided tour to farms and food businesses across Southern Wellington County and Guelph. Meet our taste makers, learn about local food and agriculture, and discover local food destinations in Wellington County.

TOP 10 TOUR AND TASTE ADVENTURES IN WELLINGTON COUNTY

1. Go on the Farmers’ Market Trail and visit one or all of Guelph Wellington’s eight farmers’ markets – and uncover treasures along the way 2. Get a glimpse of horse-and-buggy culture and pick up tasty home-baked treats at Misty Meadows Country

Market

3. Check out the Minto Farmers’ Market and walk across Ontario’s longest truss pedestrian bridge at the

Palmerston Railroad Heritage Museum

4. Stock up on BBQ meats and other organic products at 3Gen Organics farm store and spend the day at

Conestogo Lake Conservation Area

5. Pick up apple fritters at Union Market Square and discover new-to-you treasures at the Aberfoyle

Antique Market

6. Grab lunch at Heaven on 7, hike the trails at the

Rockwood Conservation Area, and take in a show at the Mustang Drive-In Theatre 7. Find your favourite treats at Holtom’s Bakery and watch world-class show-jumping at Angelstone

Equestrian

8. Visit Guelph’s outstanding craft breweries and take in the views inside and outside of the Basilica of Our Lady 9. Get a dose of local history at the Wellington County

Museum and Archives, and book a tour at nearby

Harmony Meadows Alpaca Farm

10. Relive nostalgic moments by going for a country drive, picking up fresh produce at farm gate stalls, and stopping for lunch at one of many chip trucks along the way