About Us
Hey! My name is Jordan and I've been an organic farmer for ten years. My farm is called Unearthed Organics, located in Kelowna, British Columbia.
For years, I ran a pretty typical mixed-veggie market garden, trying to grow lots of diversity for farmers markets, a CSA, and my main focus--working with and supplying the Okanagan Valley's many talented chefs.
The last couple years, though, I've become especially interested in dry beans, milling corn, and dried/smoked chilies, and have started to devote more of my acreage, and my cooking, to these crops. Here's why:
- Flavour. For most eaters, these crops hail from industrial agriculture, and can be very old by the time they reach our plates. Eating them fresher--that is, within a year of their harvest, but only after they've been fully ripened in the field, has been a revelation to me and to my customers.
- Heritage/History. Each of these crops contain hundreds of varieties grown and nurtured across the globe. Every variety has a story to tell, which adds to the fun of growing and eating them. Go here to read about Zolfino Beans, which you can purchase in the store.
- Evangelism. In Canada, all three of these crops--especially milling corn and beans--need to fire their publicist. Together or separately, they're delicious, but they're a little foreign to too many Canucks, and I'd like to help change that.
- Nutrition. They're good for us!
- Fresh veggies rot! Not right away, but the moment they're harvested, the clock starts ticking. Right about now, growing some shelf-stable products to sell all winter is appealing AF.
Anyway. Out of this budding interest, Brave About Veggies was conceived. Originally I intended to focus on food for your belly, but I soon realized it made sense to also offer seeds for your garden! Corn and beans are seeds, after all, and also: seed production is really cool.
A few more deets, real quick.
- I don't do this alone. My wife, Vanessa, started the farm business with me, but has since become a very busy midwife. I also have awesome staff. I'll write more about them soon.
- My organic certification is only valid in British Columbia, for now, as I have a regional certification unique to British Columbia.
- I've produced a podcast for farmers and gardeners off and on for years now. It's called The Ruminant...check it out!
Thanks for reading!
Yours in bravery,
Jordan