Location

Elly and Grant Blanchard farm at the south edge of the Canadian Shield, north of Madoc in the Hamlet of Cooper. The farm is nestled between the old railway track line and the creek named Railway Creek. Elly grows asparagus and garlic and Grant has a beef herd of Limousin cattle. From 1993 to 2007, Elly has grown many types of vegetables and berries and sold at various local farmers markets such as Campbellford, Belleville, Madoc and Toronto. Since 2008, Elly has focused her attention on heritage asparagus and a wide selection of garlic.

Both Elly and Grant were raised in rural farming country. Elly spent some of her youth in the Eastern Townships, Quebec where her grandmother gardened organically at her mountain home. Elly inherited her love and basic knowledge of gardening from her grandmother before she went on to Guelph University to study horticulture.

Grant works off the farm full time as an electrician. However, his interest in raising cattle were inspired while living in rural Hasting County near his grandparents who had a mixed farm. He spent time visiting sale barns around Ontario, where he acquired the knowledge of cattle raising and the skills for selecting good breeding stock.

Grant purchased his first Limousin cows in 2003. The breeding stock has now grown to over 20 cows. RCF Limousin cattle are fed a diet of fresh grass in the summer, hay, second cut alfalfa and sorghum and some grain is supplemented for finishing. Along with commercial herd, there is the breeding stock of fullblood and purebred Limousin bulls and heifers to sell. The cattle are raised using organic methods and the land is used in a sustainable way. You can order sides or quarters cut and wrapped to your specification directly from Grant and Elly.

At Railway Creek Farm, over 15 strains Certified Organic garlic are grown. From the hot and strong Russain Red and Hungarian to the very mild and sweet Italian and Spanish Roja. The most popular is Railway Creek Farm’s famous Mennonite garlic, an all purpose, large garlic. Some varieites are suitable for raw eating, salade dressings and simple sauces. Others are better in soups, stews, roasts and vegetarian dishes. Bulk orders of garlic are placed in the late summer by calling to reserve .

Currently the Blanchards are growing only garlic, asparagus and beef. All products may be purchased at the farm. Elly continues to market the garlic at Garlic festivals, retail distribution, agricultural fairs, health shows and local markets. The Blanchards are members of the Quinte Organic Farmers Coop, a local co-op that sells directly to consumers through various Ontario farmers markets. All products are certified with Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd.

Point of sale: Farm gate Products: beef, garlic, asparagus Contact: Elly and Grant Blanchard, 2908 Cooper Rd, Madoc, K0K 2K0, 613-473-2889, railwaycreek [at] auracom [dot] com, www.quinteorganic.ca