Wild Blue Yonder

 

	In 2002, at Crag Lake, near Carcross, Yukon, Heidi Marion and Garret Gillespie established Wild Blue Yonder to grow field vegetables. Soon, they added a 100-member Community Supported Farm (CSF) program to existing retail, restaurant and hotel customers. Their focus on soil stewardship and growing food for people defines their style of farming. Both full-time farmers, they are proud to live from agriculture alone and love raising their children on the farm.
In May 2005, Heidi and Garret took over an existing beef cattle, hay and horse boarding farm near Tagish, and transplanted their vegetable business there. They hoped to smoothly transition the farm to organic, but the 2005 vegetable crop failed. Daunted but unthwarted, the pair rallied with the help of CSF program members, friends, relatives and the bank. They now grow over 40 field vegetables and herbs, from potatoes and carrots to Chinese greens and calendula. A greenhouse on the new property will house tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers and herbs. A healthy supply of manure will cook up with sawdust to make the grower’s Yukon gold — compost! Heidi and Garret are always thinking of how they can make their farm cleaner and greener, sharply aware that farms are big consumers of fossil fuels. So, horse farming is on the horizon, as is biodiesel and homemade fertilizers. Miles of barbed wire fence are gradually being removed to allow for the winter passage of the Carcross caribou herd. Dozens of travellers wishing to try their hand at farming have been hosted at the farm and have gained an education in sustainable living.
	Nothing makes Heidi and Garret happier than hearing their customers refer to them as “our farmers.” The farm gate is always open for food enthusiasts! They look forward to providing you with nutritious organic vegetables, chicken, pork, beef and eggs.
Wild Blue Yonder Farm has recently become a part of a larger farming idea - the Great Green Growers Farm Cooperative!
	Contact Heidi or Garret 867-399-7021 for more information wildblueyonder_at_yt.sympatico.ca