There’s something paradisal about taking a stroll in a place where you can pluck delicious food from the trees. If you take a right off the QEW to Vineland Station, you’ll find yourself in one of the best microclimates for growing tender fruit in Ontario, so you might as well stop by Milan’s farm gate store which he runs with his sister, Mimi and brother-in-law, Ignacio or “Nacho” as Milan calls him. The multi-generational farming operation sprawls over 26 acres of owned and leased farmland and includes the fruit varieties we all love come summertime: peaches, plums, strawberries, nectarines, cherries, apricots and apples. In early spring you’ll find asparagus and sweet peas on the farm table and sweet potatoes in the fall. Children take snow rides on tractors and frolic amongst the fragrant, blossomy boughs - there’s a definite a fairy-tale vibe here!
Along with the fruit and vegetables, Milan seems understandably proud of his goats and handsome Barbu d'Uccles chickens. Eggs are served up regularly to the family and the goats seem good at polishing off any and all kitchen scraps!
By selling a range of produce (along with value-added items like cider and preserves) through a variety of channels—farmers’ markets, the farm store (which includes the 2021 addition of an ice cream outlet serving seasonal fruit flavours), various prepared food businesses and online sites—the Bizjak Farms business model is staying away from the likes of Galen Weston and other large food processing companies in favour of keeping things diverse and in alignment with core values like reducing unnecessary packaging waste and maintaining a minimal spray schedule.
Mural by local artist, Ally Hendriks, on the shipping container which was converted into the farm store.
Supporting soil health through regular applications of local compost is an important activity on the farm, and a stand of elderly cherry trees are affectionately retained despite producing a very low yield. Overall there’s a gentle harmony on the farm between people, animals and plants which is quite palpable. Should you find yourself in the vicinity of this bucolic locale, do stop a while.
Text and photos: Helen Acraman
