
Photo Karen Graham.
Julie Fleming inside Circle Organic’s 10,000 sq ft passive solar greenhouse.
Circle Organic is a family farm established in 2007 by Julie Fleming and Andrew Flaman.
It produces a wide range certified organic produce, fruit, herbs and flowers on an 85 acre farm just south of Millbrook. in the fields and in a greenhouse on the property.
Crops are grown in the field as well as in their 10,000 square foot passive solar greenhouse which allows them to grow some items year round. The couple is proud of the fact that the heating and cooling of this structure does not produce any carbon, and describes growing food in this facility as an act of resilience. It is hot inside the greenhouse at the moment, but the passive heat is welcome during the winter months as it allows them to produce hardy greens most of the winter. At the moment hot-weather crops including basil, parsley, tomatoes and colourful kale are flourishing.
In the field there is a rotation of sturdier crops including beets, parsnip, turnip, carrots, potatoes, onions, strawberries and more. The couple recently invested in netting to protect their squash crops from invading animals. A large root cellar allows them to supply hardy crops during the winter months along with their hardy greens. They rely on cover crops to replenish the soil- both inside the greenhouse and on their fields. Greenhouse soil is also replenished by compost and other organic nutrients.
Work on the farm is performed by a small work crew including a farm manager from Mexico who has been working through the Seasonal Agricultural Work Program every summer for more than a decade. Their eldest son is also contributing, and is raising meat chickens as a summer project.
Circle Organic has recently been recognized by the non-profit agricultural organization Farms at Work for their work with a Leadership in Climate Resilient Agriculture Award. The organization is impressed with Circle Organic owners’ dedication to sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices, including soil management techniques that combat erosion, capture rainwater and increase carbon sequestration. Julie and Andrew were also acknowledged for their sustainable buildings and commitment to education through farm tours.
Those who want a guaranteed supply of organic produce can join Circle Organic’s Community Shared Agriculture program (CSA) where customers purchase a weekly share of fresh produce for a fixed payment made at the beginning of the growing season. This ensures customers receive fresh, high quality organic food at a fair price every week while supporting their supplier with a reliable income.
If you are looking for less of a commitment, drop in at the Circle Organic booth at the Millbrook Farmers’ market, or drop by the farm at 338 County Rd. 10 south of Millbrook on Thursday afternoons from 2pm to 7pm where you can pick up a variety of produce, flowers, eggs, meat, honey and maple syrup, depending on the season. Produce is also sold at One Fine Food and Joanne’s Place in Peterborough and the downtown Farmer’s Market on Saturdays from 8 am until 1pm. Let the season begin! KG