Vendor Spotlight: Field of Greens CSA Farm

Photo credit: Geoff Rae, Villager Publications

Field of Greens CSA Farm may have officially started in 2024, but owners Kimber and Calvin have always had a love for growing their own food and farming. Calvin grew up on a tobacco farm in Ontario, and Kimber always enjoyed having gardens at home; even when they lived in Alberta near the Rocky Mountains 10 years ago. Calvin made sure Kimber could still grow her favourites by building garden beds and elevated eavestroughs. “Short growing seasons and cold, cold winters - and I wanted to grow strawberries,” Kimber laughed. So when Calvin wanted to move home to Ontario, Kimber was excited at the possibility of growing their gardens. After lots of hard work by Kimber, Calvin and his father, Field of Greens CSA Farm in Dutton came to fruition. ​

Nestled off a quiet gravel road down a long farm driveway, Field of Greens CSA Farm boasts 2.5 farmed acres of vegetables, fruits, a greenhouse, and elevated strawberry eavestroughs. Along with the help of their kids, Kimber and Calvin grow an impressive range of offerings including peppers, cabbage, lettuce, melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon), raspberries, strawberries, onions, tomatoes, tomatillos, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, beets, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more! “We typically start planting in February,” Kimber explained while giving us a tour of their greenhouse. “We have our germination chamber with a heated sand bottom, and then once the seeds are started we will move them into individual pots, and then either plant them in the greenhouse or in the field.” Despite the muddy and cool day, the inside of the greenhouse was warm and inviting, and filled with beautiful budding plants waiting to be transferred to the field.

​Although they are not a certified organic farm, Field of Greens only uses organic sprays, along with compost and other traditional fertilizer and pest control methods. Kimber and Calvin also still use the unique eavestrough system for their strawberries; but they have been able to increase their size compared to what they had back in Alberta. “It’s the same system that large berry farms use,” Calvin explained while he and his dad worked on their irrigation in the knee-deep mud. “It’s made by Meteor Systems out of Leamington, but has roots in Dutch horticulture.”​

Even with this is being their first year at Horton, Field of Greens CSA Farm has some market experience under their belt. They attended the Dutton Farmer's Market last year, which helped them get their name out into the community, and they hope coming to Horton will do the same in St. Thomas and Elgin County. "I had so many strawberries," Kimber said with a laugh. "I had to be able to move them! We knew Darren (the Horton Market Coordinator) from living near him, and we would all take our kids to the local park." After some chatting with Darren, and one market season under their belts, Kimber and Calvin decided to take the next step and began coming to Horton. 

"Horton was always something we wanted to do, we just didn't do it last year because we were too new to venture into something of that scale," Kimber explained while checking her fields. "So then this year it was the natural next step and we love it. The pavilions are wonderful, we don't have to set up a tent and we get great shade in the summer. People can also still come out in the rain because they are covered. It's very fun, and it's very good vibes." 

Attending markets was a bonus for Kimber and Calvin, who's main focus is on their CSA boxes (community supported agriculture). Kimber was first introduced to CSA boxes when they were living in Alberta. "My girlfriend brought in this box called the Organic Box, which was a huge thing in the Rockies," said Kimber. "It came from producers in Edmonton and that is where we first got a taste of it. Then Calvin wanted to move home so we brought the idea back here, and that's kind of been our big goal." ​

Field of Greens CSA boxes work like this: Kimber and Calvin grow their own produce, and additionally work with other local farms and artisan producers in the area who can supply things like sweet corn, sourdough bread, pottery, and more. As a customer, you buy into the farm, and each week you get a beautiful box filled with fresh local produce and products. Kimber and Calvin are proud to run their 2.5 acre farm with a little Kubota, their hands, and lots of hard work and care. "It's a labour of love," Kimber said with a proud smile. "We're just family operated, and we are all about community. That's what our boxes are about." 

Kimber and Calvin have also been lucky to receive some support and knowledge in the CSA farm area from their local accountant. "He helped us with the ins and outs of what we can do because he has done it all himself," said Kimber. "He has done it all physically himself before, so he knows what it is like." Their CSA boxes are delivered in the local Dutton area, and although they are sold out for the season, you can still find their delicious fresh produce here at Horton, and Kimber looks forward to meeting more people and fostering more community connections. "We want to make it easy to eat fresh and support local," Kimber smiled. ​

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Paige Palmer, Marketing Assistant

Paige is a proud recent graduate of Western University's Media and Communications (MACS) program and King's University College's Thanatology program. Born and raised in Elgin County, Paige loves connecting with local people and businesses to tell their stories and promote their hard work. A previous St. Thomas Parks and Forestry summer student, Paige also loves exploring local parks and trails, and promoting the incredible work of the Parks and Forestry department, while capturing some beautiful pictures along the way. ​