Old 99 Farm, week of Nov 26 2023

Greetings all,

Adam El Sioufi, our colleague and resident farmer will be taking care of the veggies from now on, caring for the winter crops and managing weekly harvest.

Adam is offering a handy and economical new option: delivery of your Old 99 orders on Fridays from our farm to your home. Service area includes to the Dundas and Hamilton areas as well as the Dundas to GTA corridor, $7 per delivery. Kindly reach out if interested to confirm details.

We now have a freeze dryer on site and have a stock of freeze dried organic fruit, veggies and soups. Freeze drying removes all of the moisture from most foods, that’s approximately 90% of the weight, this process preserves %95 of the nutrient content and all of the flavour, it will keep food fresh for up to 25 years. We are also pleased to offer custom orders, you supply the food and we will process it for you, whether you would like to preserve food for long term nutrient conservation or for light backcountry camping we’ll be happy to help out. Let us know if you are interested and have any questions.

Available this week:

Arugula (Sativa and Rocket, the spicy kind)
Butter Crunch Lettuce
Celeriac
Sweet Potato
Baby Beets
Rainbow and Green Swiss Chard
Kale, Curly, Nero, Red Russian
Potatoes, Purple, Red, and Fingerlings,
Parsley Root
Broccoli Collards
Leeks
Onions
Bok Choi
Tokyo Bekana
Eggplant
Green and Red Peppers
Yellow Cherry Tomatoes
Garlic
Herbs (sage, parsley, rosemary)
Cilantro
Asian pear

The subscription plan “Let Me Be Your Farmer” is up and running. A friend asked me to clarify. You estimate what your family would buy in a 3 month period, total for fruit, veg, meat, dairy. You estimate how much of that you could commit to buying here at Old 99. Say half. So if your family buys $3000 in a quarter, half of that is $1500. Pay in advance for 3 months purchases of veg, fruit, eggs, meats and anything you buy from Old99, and get 10% discount plus special surprises. Still order a la carte. The farm benefits from a more secure customer commitment and has cashflow to buy inputs like seed and nutrient. You get the choicest items for your basket, a la carte. Typically I’d expect $1500 to $2000 per quarter. Or just pick a value to pay forward, and we deduct actual purchases from your subscription.
Sign up with an email to me. old99farm2015@gmail.com

The winter Harvest Basket cycle starts this week: sign up for 10 weeks for $320 for 8 vegetables and a dozen eggs.

Surf to the online store here to place your order. Store pick up Thurs 4 to 6 or by arrangement. *

I commend a couple of informative podcasts on organic farming and especially livestock based permaculture farming like we do here. These are podcasts hosted by Nate Hagens, energy and social systems expert at his site The Great Simplification.
Fossil Free Food Systems: Jason Bradford, Andrew Millison, Vandana Shiva, Daniel Zetah.
David Holmgren: Small and Slow Solutions for our Energy Descent future
Daniel Zetah: Regenerative Agriculture and Personal Sovereignty

Healthy eating,
Ian, Cami and Adam

Old 99 Farm, week of Nov 20 2023

reminder to all fav and loyal supporters of local food, we’re here! Lots of choice veggies still growing.

It’s early Wed morning, midnite actually and I’ve been attending the Canadian Organic Alliance’s conference in Ottawa. I’m very positive about their plans for actively lobbying the feds to make Organic more visible and relevant to consumers, urban and rural alike. Organic methods of producing food have tangible benefits for soil health, air and water quality, and of course human nutrition. You’ll hear more in the weeks ahead.

Lots of variety this week, with new plantings of lettuce, chard, brassicas, etc. We still have assorted tomatoes, esp yellow cherry toms and peppers. Our tree fruit varieties of Asian pears and apples are still available.

The subscription plan “Let Me Be Your Farmer” is up and running. A friend asked me to clarify. You estimate what your family would buy in a 3 month period, total for fruit, veg, meat, dairy. You estimate how much of that you could commit to buying here at Old 99. Say half. So if your family buys $3000 in a quarter, half of that is $1500. Pay in advance for 3 months purchases of veg, fruit, eggs, meats and anything you buy from Old99, and get 10% discount plus special surprises. Still order a la carte. The farm benefits from a more secure customer commitment and has cashflow to buy inputs like seed and nutrient. You get the choicest items for your basket, a la carte. Typically I’d expect $1500 to $2000 per quarter. Or just pick a value to pay forward, and we deduct actual purchases from your subscription.
Sign up with an email to me. old99farm2015@gmail.com

The winter Harvest Basket cycle starts next week: sign up for 10 weeks for $320 for 8 vegetables and a dozen eggs.

What we have now: arugula, sweet potato, brocoli, celeriac, frilly kale, Nero kale, Rainbow chard, Tokyo Bekana (a succulent chinese cabbage), beets, bell peppers, sweet bulb onions, fennel, garlic, baby lettuce mix, mizuna greens, buttercrunch lettuce, potatoes, rhubarb, carrots, collards, cabbage collards, leeks, basil and herbs. And a few figs! We have some farm pressed apple cider, not alco, from our cider day a couple weeks ago. Adam is firing up his freeze-drier unit to prepare freeze-dried tomatoes.

Surf to the online store here to place your order. Store pick up Thurs 4 to 6 or by arrangement. *

Healthy eating,
Ian, Cami and Adam

Old 99 Farm, week of Nov 11 2023

Your weekly reminder of good nutritious locally grown food from Old 99.

Lots of variety this week, with new plantings of lettuce, chard, brassicas, etc. We still have assorted tomatoes, esp yellow cherry toms and peppers. Our tree fruit varieties of pawpaws, Asian pears and apples are still available.

The subscription plan “Let Me Be Your Farmer” is up and running. A friend asked me to clarify. You estimate what your family would buy in a 3 month period, total for fruit, veg, meat, dairy. You estimate how much of that you could commit to buying here at Old 99. Say half. So if your family buys $3000 in a quarter, half of that is $1500. Pay in advance for 3 months purchases of veg, fruit, eggs, meats and anything you buy from Old99, and get 10% discount plus special surprises. Still order a la carte. The farm benefits from a more secure customer commitment and has cashflow to buy inputs like seed and nutrient. You get the choicest items for your basket, a la carte. Typically I’d expect $1500 to $2000 per quarter. Or just pick a value to pay forward, and we deduct actual purchases from your subscription.
Sign up with an email to me. old99farm2015@gmail.com

The winter Harvest Basket cycle starts in two weeks: sign up for 10 weeks for $320 for 8 vegetables and a dozen eggs.

What we have now: arugula, sweet potato, brocoli, celeriac, frilly kale, Nero kale, Rainbow chard, Tokyo Bekana (a succulent chinese cabbage), beets, bell peppers, sweet bulb onions, fennel, garlic, baby lettuce mix, mizuna greens, buttercrunch lettuce, potatoes, rhubarb, carrots, collards, cabbage collards, leeks, basil and herbs. And a few figs and pawpaw fruit! We have some farm pressed apple cider, not alco, from our cider day a couple weeks ago. Adam is firing up his freeze-drier unit to prepare freeze-dried tomatoes.

Surf to the online store here to place your order. Store pick up Thurs 4 to 6 or by arrangement. *

Healthy eating,
Ian, Cami and Adam

Old 99 farm, week of Oct 30 2023

brief news updates. we have lot of greens and roots in the soil, that means they are getting sweeter as the soil cools off for winter. Tonite supposed to have min4C first killing frost.

Lots of variety this week, with new plantings of lettuce, chard, brassicas, etc. Lots of tomatoes, esp yellow cherry toms and peppers. Our tree fruit: pawpaws, Asian pears and apples are still available.

The subscription plan “Let Me Be Your Farmer” is up and running. A friend asked me to clarify. You estimate what your family would buy in a 3 month period, total for fruit, veg, meat, dairy. You estimate how much of that you could commit to buying here at Old 99. Say half. So if your family buys $3000 in a quarter, half of that is $1500. Pay in advance for 3 months purchases of veg, fruit, eggs, meats and anything you buy from Old99, and get 10% discount plus special surprises. Still order a la carte. The farm benefits from a more secure customer commitment and has cashflow to buy inputs like seed and nutrient. You get the choicest items for your basket, a la carte. Typically I’d expect $1500 to $2000 per quarter. Or just pick a value to pay forward, and we deduct actual purchases from your subscription.
Sign up with an email to me. old99farm2015@gmail.com

What we have now: arugula, apples, celeriac, frilly kale, Nero kale, Rainbow chard, Tokyo Bekana (a succulent chinese cabbage), beets, bell peppers, sweet bulb onions, fennel, garlic, baby lettuce mix, mizuna greens, buttercrunch lettuce, potatoes, rhubarb, carrots, collards, cabbage collards, leeks, basil and herbs. And a few figs and pawpaw fruit! We have some farm pressed apple cider, not alco, from our cider day last week. Adam is firing up his freeze-drier unit to prepare freeze-dried tomatoes.

Surf to the online store here to place your order. Store pick up Thurs 4 to 6 or by arrangement. *

Healthy eating,
Ian, Cami and Adam

Old 99 Farm offers this week Oct 22 2023

We had fun last week explaining to customers how to cook and eat delectables like quince and pawpaw, both grown here. (Yes you must cook quince but pawpaw is eaten raw like a mango.)

Lots of variety this week, with new plantings of lettuce, chard, brassicas, etc. Lots of tomatoes, esp yellow cherry toms and peppers. Our tree fruit: Asian pears and apples are still available.

The subscription plan “Let Me Be Your Farmer” is up and running. Pay in advance for 3 months purchases of veg, fruit, eggs, meats and anything you buy from Old99, and get 10% discount plus special surprises. Still order a la carte. The farm benefits from a more secure customer commitment and has cashflow to buy inputs like seed and nutrient. You get the choicest items for your basket, a la carte. Typically I’d expect $1500 to $2000 per quarter.
Sign up with an email to me. old99farm2015@gmail.com

What we have now: arugula, apples, celeriac, frilly kale, Nero kale, Rainbow chard, Tokyo Bekana (a succulent chinese cabbage), beets, bell peppers, sweet bulb onions, fennel, garlic, baby lettuce mix, mizuna greens, buttercrunch lettuce, potatoes, rhubarb, carrots, collards, cabbage collards, leeks, basil and herbs. And a few figs and pawpaw fruit!

Surf to the online store here to place your order. Store pick up Thurs 4 to 6 or by arrangement. *

Healthy eating,
Ian, Cami and Adam

Old99 Farm, week of Oct 15 2023

We had a lovely day of sunshine for our Cider Day last Sunday. A good turnout, eager kids, and loyal friends of Old99 who brought their friends. Everyone went home with a jug of Old99 fresh cider.

We have freezers full of beef and pork, from recent animals taken to the butcher.

Vegetables especially tomatoes are doing well in the greenhouses. The subscription plan “Let Me Be Your Farmer” is up and running. Pay in advance for 3 months purchases of veg, fruit, eggs, meats and anything you buy from Old99, and get 10% discount plus special surprises. Still order a la carte. The farm benefits from a more secure customer commitment and has cashflow to buy inputs like seed and nutrient. You get the choicest items for your basket, a la carte. Typically I’d expect $1500 to $2000 per quarter.
Sign up with an email to me. old99farm2015@gmail.com

Summer Harvest Baskets: Some of you paid by installment so we’re at the mid-point, next time please plan on paying the second half, 10 weeks at $32. Thank you.

What we have now: arugula, apples, celeriac, frilly kale, Nero kale, Rainbow chard, Tokyo Bekana, beets, bell peppers, sweet bulb onions, fennel, garlic, baby lettuce mix, mizuna greens, buttercrunch lettuce, potatoes, rhubarb, carrots, collards, cabbage collards, leeks, basil and herbs. And a few figs and pawpaw fruit!

Surf to the online store here to place your order. Store pick up Thurs 4 to 6 or by arrangement. *

Healthy eating,
Ian, Cami and Adam

Cider Day date change to Sunday 15th

Due to the rain forecast for all day saturday, we are moving the cider fest to Sunday 15th, 2 to 5pm. I’m up at midnight typing this to be as sure as I can of what tomorrow’s weather looks like.
We’ll still have the same program on Sunday; bring your jug to take home some fresh apple cider (and maybe even some Asian pear cider too). Bring some apples if you want to compare the taste of different varieties.

Lots of fun friendly people to meet. Pls send me an RSVP if you intend to join up.

Ian and Cami

Old 99 Farm, week of Oct 8 2023

Veggie production is in good shape, new plantings of greens like arugula and lettuce are now offered. The root crops and fruits like tomatoes peppers and eggplants are plentiful.

Old99 Cider Day Sat Oct 14 2 to 5 pm.
Pls rsvp. Bring a bottle or jug to take home some fresh milled apple cider. BUT, the weather forecast is not good. If it is so that we’ll see 15 to 20 mm of rain that day, we’ll have to cancel. Watch for a notice from me Sat am.

The subscription plan “Let Me Be Your Farmer” is up and running. Pay in advance for 3 months purchases of veg, fruit, eggs, meats and anything you buy from Old99, and get 10% discount plus special surprises. Still order a la carte. The farm benefits from a more secure customer commitment and has cashflow to buy inputs like seed and nutrient. You get the choicest items for your basket, a la carte. Typically I’d expect $1500 to $2000 per quarter.
Sign up with an email to me. old99farm2015@gmail.com

Summer Harvest Baskets: Some of you paid by installment so we’re at the mid-point, next time please plan on paying the second half, 10 weeks at $32. Thank you.

What we have now: arugula, apples, celeriac, frilly kale, Nero kale, Rainbow chard, Tokyo Bekana, beets, bell peppers, sweet bulb onions, fennel, garlic, baby lettuce mix, baby buttercrunch lettuce, potatoes, rhubarb, carrots, collards, cabbage collards, leeks, basil and herbs.

Surf to the online store here to place your order. Store pick up Thurs 4 to 6 or by arrangement. *

Healthy eating,
Ian, Cami and Adams

ps I saw some of you at the Beer and Blooms gathering at the Shed Brewery tonite. A packed house, someone said 150 people showed up to learn about Hamilton’s Biodiversity Action Plan. It set me to thinking how many ways we are contributing and supporting biodiversity here on the farm. My list so far: pollinator strips in gardens, untended fenceslines, crops left to bloom and die in place, asparagus patch a thicket, leaf piles, living mulches, the orchard grasses left long, woody debris piles, pond edges, tree nursery, many garden crops.
We could do more: flower plantings all season blooms, insect pollinator nesting sites, birdhouses, bat houses, planting specific native plants.

Old99 Farm, week of Oct 1 2023

Thank you all who helped move the hay bales into the barn. It went smoothly and fast, and then we sat down to a most convivial discussion of food and healthy nutrition.

Our annual cider day will happen this year on Sat Oct 14 from 3 to 5. It’s kid friendly. Pls RSVP if you intend to come.

The subscription plan “Let Me Be Your Farmer” is up and running. Pay in advance for 3 months purchases of veg, fruit, eggs, meats and anything you buy from Old99, and get 10% discount plus special surprises. Still order a la carte. The farm benefits from a more secure customer commitment and has cashflow to buy inputs like seed and nutrient. You get the choicest items for your basket, a la carte. Typically I’d expect $1500 to $2000 per quarter.
Sign up with an email to me. old99farm2015@gmail.com

Summer Harvest Baskets: Some of you paid by installment so we’re at the mid-point, next time please plan on paying the second half, 10 weeks at $32. Thank you.

What we have now: arugula, apples, celeriac, frilly kale, Nero kale, Rainbow chard, Tokyo Bekana, beets, bell peppers, sweet bulb onions, fennel, garlic, baby lettuce mix, baby buttercrunch lettuce, potatoes, rhubarb, carrots, collards, cabbage collards, leeks, basil and herbs.

Surf to the online store here to place your order. Store pick up Thurs 4 to 6 or by arrangement. *

Healthy eating,
Ian, Cami and Adam

Old 99 farm, week of Sept 24 2023

We’re moving hay indoors this friday and saturday. Can you lend a hand for an hour or two? Friday starting 11am, Saturday depending on progress.

Here’s our display of last week’s harvest; over 20 different veggies and fruits.

So needless to say, Adam and I are quite proud of the bounty. Come get your health boosting organic food here.

The subscription plan “Let Me Be Your Farmer” is up and running. Pay in advance for 3 months purchases of veg, fruit, eggs, meats and anything you buy from Old99, and get 10% discount plus special surprises. Still order a la carte. The farm benefits from a more secure customer commitment and has cashflow to buy inputs like seed and nutrient. You get the choicest items for your basket, a la carte. Typically I’d expect $1500 to $2000 per quarter.
Sign up with an email to me. old99farm2015@gmail.com

Summer Harvest Baskets: Some of you paid by installment so we’re at the mid-point, next time please plan on paying the second half, 10 weeks at $32. Thank you.

What we have now: sweet corn, arugula, apples, celeriac, frilly kale, Nero kale, Rainbow chard, Tokyo Bekana, beets, bell peppers, sweet bulb onions, fennel, garlic, baby lettuce mix, baby buttercrunch lettuce, potatoes, rhubarb, carrots, collards, cabbage collards, leeks, basil and herbs.

Surf to the online store here to place your order. Store pick up Thurs 4 to 6 or by arrangement. *

Healthy eating,
Ian, Cami and Adam