Our Team
Meet Your Farmers
Tamara
Brian
Jack
Ruby
The Firmly Rooted Story
A Purposeful Life
Tamara and Brian meet at the University of Guelph while studying Landscape Architecture. Both have a fascination with the outdoors, plants, gardening, homesteading and living a purposeful, simple and healthy life.
Everdale Organic Farm and Learning Centre
Brian and Tamara volunteer at Everdale Organic Farm and love it! They decide to complete the 9 month internship program and live in their tiny house on the farm. They meet amazing small-scale farmers who are making a living farming and running their own farm businesses. Despite always being told that it’s impossible to make a profit farming, Brian and Tamara are inspired by the successful examples of the farmers they meet and make the decision to start their own farm.
Firmly Rooted Begins
Tamara and Brian move their tiny house onto Brian’s parents farm, outside of Clinton Ontario. 2 farmers, 2 cats, 200 square feet, growing on 2 acres. Firmly Rooted Farm is born.
First Farmers Market
Brian and Tamara sell out in 2 hours at their first market, where they had a little table with chives, baby greens and flowers. The community was so excited and welcomed the young farmers and it became clear there was a demand for fresh, sustainable and local foods. The first CSA launches this year with 15 members.
Growing and Growing
Firmly Rooted focuses on growing baby greens and each year, scaled up, little by little. There was more and more demand from restaurants, suppliers and customers at the markets and Firmly Rooted expanded to meet that demand. Jack joins the farm on August 17th, 2014.
The Search for the Farm
As demand grew, Brian and Tamara started searching for their own farm and after a year, they discovered their forever farm, located outside of Belgrave, Ontario. The 7 acres of farmland and the house was a beautiful property that became their home. Brian, Tamara and Jack move to the new property and start designing their ideal farm business.
Focus on Soil and Biodiversity Planting
Quickly after purchasing the farm, the couple starts putting up infrastructure, greenhouses, and tunnels and build a wash/packhouse dedicated to food safety. Focusing on soil regeneration, biodiversity, planting native shrubs and wildflowers, Firmly Rooted is transformed into a four-season farm that grows all year round, even throughout the Huron County winters. On October 19th, 2020, Ruby joins the family.
Health, Happiness and Community
Firmly Rooted produces quality organic vegetables that you can proudly bring to your table. Brian and Tamara farm for their community and they are dedicated to providing high-quality foods that are grown in sustainable ways that respect that nature knows more than we do. Firmly Rooted also sells seedlings and plants that you can plant in your garden. Join the newsletter for first access. The farm share program now feeds over 200 families in the area.
Certification Challenges
The first week of August 2021, Tamara and Brian received devastating news that their farm was contaminated by a neighbouring farm that sprayed insecticide. This contamination caused Brian and Tamara to lose their certification as an organic farm.
Here is the message they shared with their customers and community: "Brian and I are devastated, and in mourning. We are heartbroken over the potential damage to our business and our certification, and we feel sick because we promised all of you that we would grow healthy certified organic vegetables for your bodies and your families. We are also deeply sad about any damage there may have been to the ecosystem of our farm. Of all of the challenges we’ve faced over the years this is taking the biggest toll."
Despite this setback, Firmly Rooted continues to operate using small scale, sustainable farming practices. Brian, Tamara and the team are committed to producing high, quality food that nourishes Huron County and that is grown with love.
Here is the message they shared with their customers and community: "Brian and I are devastated, and in mourning. We are heartbroken over the potential damage to our business and our certification, and we feel sick because we promised all of you that we would grow healthy certified organic vegetables for your bodies and your families. We are also deeply sad about any damage there may have been to the ecosystem of our farm. Of all of the challenges we’ve faced over the years this is taking the biggest toll."
Despite this setback, Firmly Rooted continues to operate using small scale, sustainable farming practices. Brian, Tamara and the team are committed to producing high, quality food that nourishes Huron County and that is grown with love.
Dreams and the Future
Both Brian and Tamara are excited by what’s to come. Visions of sharing knowledge on growing practices, fermentation, preservation and homesteading are percolating and developing. Passion for sharing a love of the outdoors, sustainable eating, a deep connection to family, friends and community continue to drive Tamara and Brian’s vision of the farm. Stay tuned!
Nourish Your Body
All our veggies are high-quality organic and grown using sustainable practices.
Super Fresh Veggies
Local, super-fresh, and quality foods. You'll want to eat your veggies.
Community
It’s an honour to farm for our community. We love sharing our excitement for eating.
Small Scale Farming
We grow in a way that builds environmental quality. We’re small, on purpose.
Our Values
We believe...
- That everyone should be able to access, prepare, eat, grow and preserve local healthy food to enjoy year-round.
- That health, family and homesteading skills should be preserved.
- That food is the most powerful tool that people can use to improve their personal health.
- That healthy eating should be pleasurable, not stressful.
- That farming is a noble profession and that being a farmer is an opportunity to create positive change.
- That organic food production is good for the environment.
- That our food and our service should create a positive and memorable experience.
- That we can work to be firmly rooted in our community.
Previous
Next
Fabulous and organic produce at reasonable prices.
Dieta Zuppinger 
I am always inspired by Tamara & Brian! I really love what they have created for themselves, their story is as amazing as they are! Everything they grow is just the best! Whoever thought an ole' timer like myself would ever try kohlrabi? Dang, they are good!
Cathy O'Donnell
Great food made with care by Local family. Very happy to support firmly rooted farm!
Jeffery Scholl
Previous
Next
High-quality services and organic products
Who knew eating your veggies could be so fun?
Markets and Retailers
Find us at the Bayfield and Goderich Farmers Markets, May-October and at a retailer near you.
Order
Online
Order your veggies online, for farm pickup or local delivery to designated pickup points.
Firmly Rooted Farm Share
Join our Farm Share program, available April - December. Join over 200 local families who eat well with us!
Organic
Seedlings
Give your garden the best start with our organic seedlings.
Available Seasonally.
We’d love to stay connected!
Sign up for our newsletter and we will send you updates on seasonal veggies, recipes, Farm Share information and growing tips!
Recipes
Firmly Rooted, Growing Together
Lettuce Rejoice!
On the Farm: To Till or Not to Till The seedling sale inventory has been updated with lots of new plants, you can place your
transplanting joy
I love transplanting. There is very little as joyful as tucking baby plants into the ground; it is such instant satisfaction. Dig a hole in
