The Roots of Ferme la Machine
Ferme La Machine was born of the desire to escape the "machine" of modern, middle class life by creating a new and better one. We share a growing malaise felt in the middle class, stuck in a cycle of a stressful work commute, demanding workdays, too little time, too little sleep, not enough enjoyment and fulfillment in life.
We were sparked by our growing awareness of the importance of a more intelligent and sustainable use of our natural resources, concerns about health and wellness, increasing demand for organic food in our communities and the challenges we face making life changes when you are stuck in the machine; the concept of Ferme La Machine was born. We have traded life in this machine for a new one. One of our own creation, that values quality of life, health and community.
Over the past few years we’ve learned to grow and preserve our food, bringing us much closer to self sufficiency. What’s more is that we produce an abundance of great food on our farmstead that we are able to offer to your family.
Powered by Humans
MARIE-FRANCE DUVAL
Why did I become a farmer? First and foremost, I am passionate about good food. This passion led me to gardening as I noticed that it was more and more difficult to find healthy and ethical products to cook with: no pesticides, no hormones and grown naturally. Also, I just love being outdoors…I couldn’t take the hustle and bustle of city life anymore. After two years of living on the farm, I know that I made the right choice!
My favourite thing to do at the farm: Since planting my first garden, I’ve always loved taking care of tomato plants…tying the stem as the plant grows, removing the suckers...the best part of all is the smell! Nothing beats fresh tomato stem smell! I want to bottle it up! Tomatoes are also my favourite thing to preserve.
My next challenge is…adding beauty and functionality to our garden and living spaces by integrating flowers that will feed pollinators and attract beneficial insects. I envision fields of sunflowers, and bees floating through beds of wild flowers.
CURTIS PHILLIPS
The first year of our garden will always stand out to me. I remember not only how amazing everything tasted, but how good I felt eating fresh veggies everyday. I had a boost of energy that I could only explain with the fresh healthy produce from our garden. I became curious about the nutrition of homegrown veggies. My research lead me to book after book and documentary after documentary on ethical food production, the locavore movement, health and food sovereignty.
What I learned caused a huge shift in my mindset. It also left me with a dilemma. Knowing what I know, what do I do now? Trips to the grocery store are not the same when you understand how most of the products got there.
How do I avoid supporting a food system I oppose? How do we find the food that we want to eat, feel good about, and enjoy? The answer, for me, was simple. If you want something done right…. DO IT YOURSELF!
This not only solved the problem, it offered a great opportunity that has changed our lives for the better
Ferme la Machine 2014-2017 Montpellier, Petite Nation, Québec
"Our farm" before it was ours Circa 1960
We are proud to carry on the tradition of small family farming on this beautiful, healthy piece of land in the area known as La Petite-Nation with our own farmstead.
In 2014 we moved from the suburban south shore of Montreal, to Montpellier, Québec. We bought a heritage home that was one of the first organic farms to establish itself in the area. The Outaouais region has a history of organic farming that goes back to long before we called it organic. We are proud to carry on the tradition of small family farming on this beautiful, healthy piece of land in the area known as La Petite-Nation with our own farmstead.
This region has very little Big AGriculture to speak of and very little conventional agriculture, really. This means that, to our knowledge, there are no farms spraying pesticides within many kilometers of our farm. So the bees that are attracted to our plants are safe as well as our crops.