THE FARM
County Left is "uncertified organic" meaning we grow in accordance with the Canadian Organic Standards, however are not officially certified. We use human power & hand tools, a BCS walk behind tractor, and a kubota garden tractor for our day - day tasks. We take care to figure out by research and observation what the land may need from us in order to produce good food for our community. That usually looks like lots of compost, minimal tillage, and keeping the soil covered and nourished with cover crops. We are grateful to have enough space for a good crop rotation that allows production fields to rest every few years. We grow about 1.5 acres of veg to serve our two markets and CSA program.
THE LAND
County Left is located on some of the richest soils in the world, in the basin of the Great Lakes, near Stouffville, Ontario. We live and work on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinabeweki, and Mississauga Nations.
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We are currently in the process of moving our farm business to a new location in the Rouge National Urban Park. After a lengthy application process, we had the opportunity to sign a long term lease with the federal government on a 40 acre property just a few minutes north of our original farm. We are thrilled to be able to set some roots and steward this land for our family and future generations.
THE FARMERS
County Left Farm was started by Kyle and Angelina. We met in 2018 while working at a Toronto farmer’s market. It didn’t take long before we were dreaming up our own farm project. In 2020 we began attending a farmers' market in Toronto with just 1/10 of an acre in production, to test the waters. The next season we geared up significantly - growing intensively on an acre, attending two Toronto markets, and starting our local CSA program. Our farm team has grown to include 2 - 3 indispensable seasonal staff. Our family has grown to include a sweet kiddo named Alden.
I (Angelina) grew up picking and selling sweet corn in Scarborough on my families’ farm. I absorbed years of inspiration from my father's farm business and my mother’s homesteading skills. I can remember many meals where everything on the table was from our garden. The feeling of delight and gratitude that came from those meals is what I wish to share with our customers and members. I began working on vegetable farms in 2016..and just kept going! I love growing food because it is practical and so tangible, and I love the lifestyle it provides. I get to spend so much time with my family - and working closely with really great folks!
Kyle’s interest in farming began at a young age while growing up in a rural community and from time spent on a neighbours’ dairy farm before and after school. He ignored this interest well into adulthood until he read some books about our food system, planted a garden and quickly decided to quit his job and go back to school. In 2012, he completed the sustainable farming program at Fleming and continued to work on vegetable farms until we decided to start County Left. Kyle loves the challenge of managing a diversified vegetable farm and experimenting with growing new crops. Being able to farm is a privilege and imagining any other life at this point seems like a lot less fun.