Eagle Creek Farms

Eagle Creek Farms

Eagle Creek Farms is owned by father and son, Stan and John Mills. This farm has been in the family for many many years and is located in Bowden. The farm is situated 30 minutes from Red deer, just off of highway 2.  Eagle Creek farms is a member of the CSA, providing a large assortment of vegetables. They also have a u-pick flower area, sunflower and a corn maze, along with animals and arranged flowers bouquets. 

This farm has over 40 varieties of seed potatoes for wholesale.

After John returned from school, it left his Dad, Stan with some extra time on his hands. Stan created raised Strawberry beds in eaves troughs. Stan is experimenting with over wintering them by stacking them once the season is finished. 

Eagle Creek farms incorporates Facebook, twitter, blogs, and newsletters into their social media communication. They also have a very helpful website. 

This farm has many different types and styles of signage. I feel signage is key, I have heard them referred to as "silent salesmen". I prefer a hand crafted look to signage, but I think that is just me. As you look through my blog I have many pictures of the different styles of signage they use.

Same information in a different location

Wind damage to high tunnel

Eagle Creek farms also produces produce under high tunnels. However as you see above, these tunnels are easily damaged by high winds.

Yummy peppers!

Mountain Sod Farms

Mountain Sod Farms

Mountain Sod Farms, is a second generation sod farm and has been in business for 49 years! They have between 230-300 acres of production sod and rotate these fields every 2-3 years. To grow harvestable sod it takes 16-18 growing months or harvest in its third year. Usually seeding occurs in May or June. At times though, they seed in late August depending on the season. They use a blend of 90% kentucky blue grass and 10% fescue. However, there has been an increase in demand for a more drought and hardy type of grass. The Mountain Sod Farm has met this demand by providing an increased fescue content in their grass, yielding a more drought and hardy type of sod. 

Mountain Sod Farms is located on the Red Deer side of Innisfail, and they serve customer within approximately 100km. After you purchase sod you have about 24 hours, or one night to lay it. This beautiful sod is watered by an irrigation system. It is only watered when absolutely necessary, as it is piped from a river 2.5 miles away. They use a mixture of phosphate and potassium fertilizer after seeding and then add nitrogen to the mixture once the roots are established. 

Sod cutter

Sod is best cut very early in the morning. This machine (above) cuts the grass and then rolls it. Once there is a pallet load the machine drops the rolls. As the cutting occurs, the driver can check the quality and discard any that do not met standards. The photo below shows how a minimal amount of soil is sent with the sod. This is why it is necessary to place top soil down before laying sod. 

One pallet of sod

Country Thyme Farms

Country Thyme Farms 

Country Thyme Farms is located in Bowden. Anna and Daniel Chappell started this 40 acre farm three years ago.  They believe in preserving agriculture heritage. You will find chickens, geese, ducks, rabbits and sheep to just mention a few of the animals they raise. Among the mounds of vegetables they grow are herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers and cabbage. 

Country Thyme farms is also a member of Community Shared Agriculture. They also sell their products at farmers markets and at Owl in the Barn, a sister store. You can also stay updated on what is happening at the farm by following their blog or following them on Facebook. 

Me and a donkey

Bunnies

Donkey friends

Cabbage

Vegetable field

Greenhouse crop

Mmmm.. tomatoes!

Anna and Daniel are both young farmer with lots of experience. They have a strong educational background through Olds College. I feel they made many strides in the right direction with their farm. They are thrifty, they use a bathtub for washing, the use an old refrigerator truck for their storage and are always looking for a good deal. They are young and full of energy. They are catering to many markets through the CSA, farmers markets, blogs and Facebook. I feel this farm has a bright future!