Canadian Made - The Small Time Farmer

Goodness I guess I need to get busy making a badge or banner for my new series, Canadian Made.  Today's Canadian Made focuses on the small time Canadian farmer.  I grew up in Canadian farmland, surrounded by Canadian farmers and still live surrounded by the same.  I wouldn't have it any other way!  Here in beautiful Ontario, Canada I only have to walk about 500 yards to reach the first farmer's field.  This is small time farming at it's prime.  Many of the farmers here own 1,000 acres or less.  Livestock usually consists of what the farmers use themselves perhaps with a few extra chickens to sell the eggs.  It is their livelihood and despite all the jokes about rich farmers, most aren't.  In fact many of these small time farmers are forced to work off the land just to be able to make ends meet and it is very common for their wives to work off the land.

Winter months are quiet with little to do on the farm besides plan for the up coming growing season, work on the house and out buildings and catch-up.  Usually by now the farmers have taken to the fields, plowing then planting.  It is quite common to look out across the field to see the lights of a tractor working away close to midnight this time of year.  Next comes the fertilizing and irrigation if needed followed by the very, very busy harvest season during which time the farmer can be seen working well into the wee hours of the morning to get the crop off or meet their quota.

The life of a small time farmer is not easy.  True they get to work from home but the expenses are high and the pay is low.  They are technically self-employed meaning no government pension plan, no medical benefits, no dental benefits, no presciption coverage, and no calling in sick just because they need a me day.  The weather dictates how successful their crop will be and getting that quota is the goal because if they don't they likely won't get a contract the following year.  Despite all of the adversity, small time Canadian farmers continue their way of life to bring food to the Canadian table.  And a Canadian tradition continues...

How It's Made - How Cranberries Are Harvested And Processed

Cranberries are harvested in late September just in time to be available fresh here in time for the Canadian Thanksgiving, the second Monday of October.  They are available as canned or frozen throughout the rest of the year.  I stock up when they are available fresh for home canning a freezing.  Cranberries are one of a few fruits native to North America.  The vines prefer acidic, low nutrient soil conditions. 

Cranberries are harvested in a rather unique manner.  When the berries are ripe the fields are flooded.  A beater suspended from a mobile bridge creates turbulence pulling berries off the vines allowing them to float to the surface.  Workers manually move the floating cranberries to one corner of the field where they are pumped into a trailer.  The berries are rinsed to remove branches and leaves then transported to the processing plant where they are unloaded into canals.  The berries travel on conveyor belts through a cleaner station where workers uses brushes and water jets to remove any leaves and branches.  Cranberries are loaded into bins for freezing.  Those being used for juice are defrosted in hot water and mashed into a purée.  Enzymes are added to break-up the pectin then pressed three to four times to extract the juice.  The juice is filtered then water is evaporated to make it ten times concentrated.  Berries for fresh packaging and drying are sorted manually then electronically.  Those berries for fresh packaging go to the packaging department.  Berries that will be dried are cut in half, seeded and pressed.  They are dipped in sugar water then dried and packaged.

Here is a video showing how cranberries are harvested and processed.

How It's Made - Large Scale Chicken Farms

Chickens have been on sale here since mid-January.  Like many I have taken advantage of the sales even though I buy a good portion of chicken from a local organic farmer.  Many folk don't realize how large scale commercial chicken farms operate.  There has been a lot of controversy over how chickens are treated in these facilities.  As this video notes the chickens are bred for certain genetic traits such a large breasts because boneless, skinless chicken breasts have become very popular.  I did find it interesting that the feed these chickens eat has been reduced by almost a quarter!  One could argue that the chickens are malnourished and the meat nutrient deficient.  It is quite apparent when comparing the living conditions of these chickens that overcrowding is an issue as well especially when compared to free range chickens.  They do however, strive to combat the spread of pathogens that could spell disaster for the entire chicken farm.   This video explains how a commercial chicken farm operates.  Most large scale chicken growers raise using this method although there may be very slight variations.

How It's Made - The Mushroom Farm

I've mentioned going to the mushroom farm several times on this blog.  There are three mushroom farms within driving distance of us.  The one I like going to is a rather nondescript building, very much industrial in appearance.  While they have a sign there is no indication that they sell to the public and they don't advertise that they sell to the public.  I've been going there for mushrooms since I was a newlywed.  I found out about this particular mushroom farm the same way everyone else finds out about it, via word of mouth.

When I go to the mushroom farm I go in a regular door that leads to the actual mushroom farm.  There is a mustiness that is hard to describe and it is always cool even in the high heat of summer.  Workers can be seen sorting the mushrooms from large trays into 5 lb boxes.  To the left is a very small office.  I ask the receptionist there for the grade and number of boxes I want then pay for them.  A worker goes and gets my boxes that I carefully stack in my car then I'm off to home ready to can, freeze and enjoy mushrooms fresh.

Mushrooms are grown on farms but very different farms than other produce.  The reason being is mushrooms are grown in the dark and they are grown year round.  I found this video on YouTube showing how mushrooms are grown.  It's a bit longer but well worth watching.  I hope you enjoy it.