Established in 2002, rare organics offers quality, certified-organic produce while building sustainable farm practices within the framework of rare and its Farm Management Plan. The project currently farms 5˝ acres, and aims to expand to 10 acres in 2007.

Sir Albert Howard, an early advocate of organic agriculture states in his book, An Agricultural Testament (1949) “Soil fertility is the condition which results in the operation of Nature’s round.…One of the first principles of agriculture [is that] there must always be a perfect balance between the processes of growth and decay. The consequences of this condition are a living soil [and] abundant crops of good quality that possess the bloom of health. The key to fertile soil and a prosperous agriculture is HUMUS.”

A goal of rare organics is to produce high-quality food in an ecologically compatible fashion, serving as a template for other food producers. Healthy humus produces healthy food plants that produce healthy people and communities.

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Why is rare growing food organically?

The methods of rare organics enhance and perpetuate the production of humus in its fields and gardens. These methods are ecologically compatible to neighbouring ecosystems and serve to protect and promote species diversity on the reserve. These methods include the uses of compost and compost teas, natural minerals, companion planting, crop rotation and biodynamic preparations (a homeopathic method of fertilizing humus with specifically composted plants, natural minerals and teas).

Humus is composed largely of micro organisms together with significant populations of fungi, algae and invertebrates, including earthworms and insects. The dynamic ecology of humus involves the interactions of these organisms, as well as the actions of plant roots, other animals and the weather, and are all responsible for the breaking down of minerals and composting of spent organic matter at the soil surface. This entire process releases nutrients back into the humus to be used by successive generations of plants and animals. An active, balanced humus can produce a diversity of healthy plants capable of resisting damage by insects and disease. Microbes in humus release nutrients for plants as well as release natural antibiotics and vitamins all of which contribute to plant health. Humus also greatly reduces erosion and damage to plants by drought, as water is stored at a microscopic level. The production and maintenance of humus is vital to both the survival of agriculture as well as the survival of all terrestrial ecosystems.

rare organics weekly food baskets (csa)

Based on a Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) model, the community can purchase annual shares in the farm’s harvest and receive fresh certified-organic produce every week throughout the season (June to October). While variety and quantity will vary week to week throughout the growing season, rare organics is committed to providing the highest quality and a wide selection of produce including heirloom varieties at affordable prices. Members pick up their basket once a week at rare, located at 1679 Blair Road in Cambridge.

For even more incentive to join the program, read the box below:

Ten Reasons to join rare organics Weekly Food Basket Program:

1. Support locally grown food, reducing the number of miles food travels from field to table reduces fossil fuel use, air pollution and traffic.
2. Preserve nature and wildlife: Organic farming recycles organic matter without synthetic pesticides.
3. Organic produce is good for your health: Organic food is rich in nutrients.
4. Organic food tastes great! Organic farming starts with the nourishment of the soil leading to a healthy plant and ultimately to our palates.
5. Protect future generations: “We have not inherited the earth from our fathers, we are borrowing it from our children.” ~ Lester Brown. The food choices you make now will impact your children’s health in the future.
6. Prevent soil erosion: Soil is the foundation of the food chain in organic farming – good topsoil must be preserved and nourished.
7. Protect water quality: Keep the water in streams and rivers clean for wildlife and ourselves.
8. Promote biodiversity: rare organics grows a wide variety of produce, herbs and flowers as well as heirloom varieties.
9. Promote good food: rare organics is committed to community education through newsletters and workshops.
10. rare organics is working hard for you. We want shareholders to be satisfied and to discover all the goodness of the produce that we grow locally – fresh and direct to your plate.

In addition to the Weekly Food Basket program, rare organics can be found in various specialty retail outlets, such as Masulli’s (20 Dickson Street, Galt), restaurants in the community and weekly (seasonally August - October) at the Cambridge Farmers Market. We also offer workshops and seminars (listed on our Events page).

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