At Tree and Twig Heirloom Vegetable Farm my specialty and passion is Heirloom vegetables. Growing heirlooms is an exciting way to try new and unusual tastes, shapes and colours. But more than that it is an effort to maintain the genetic diversity of our food crops. In the last century, we have lost 90% of our vegetable varieties, a tragic loss of diversity and threat to our food security. It is important to stop this trend,and as growers and consumers look for alternatives. Heirlooms are the link to the past and are key to our future. As well unlike some hybrids,heirlooms are not grown for their ability to withstand shipping and chemicals or their uniform look at market. They are grown for taste. Eat in the past!

My produce is all grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides or fungicides and in a sustainable manner. Because of Canada's Organic Products Regulation which will come into effect in 2009, I am unable to use the word "organic" to describe my growing methods as I choose to not seek certification. I am not certified organic, believing, in the words of Joel Salatin that "you can't regulate integrity" I urge you to know your grower.

Seed sales for 2009 are now underway. I again have a good selection of seed from Seed Savers Exchange (www.seeds.org), which are all varieties you can direct seed in your garden.

Transplants will again be for sale in 2009. My tomato listing has 100 of the best heirloom tomatoes you can grow. This list of the special "100" is available for you to order from in advance. But if you need to see more selection than that, please come to the farm, or market. Many of my collection of more than 650 varieties will be available in these locations only, as well as many many more heirloom veg varieties.

My "TOMATO DAYS " sale is May 23-24/09, from 8-4pm. Please note this is not the Victoria Day weekend, which falls early again this year.

By popular request a more formalized CSA is back ... read more about the changes to the CSA for 2009.

Produce is always available as well at the farm, please call in advance, if possible, to place your order. Salad greens are ready beginning in April.

Chefs and restauranteurs, please call for information and pricing. I am pleased to work with some wonderful chefs in this area, and would like to work with you too. My heirloom tomato collection contains some absolutely stunning selections, unique in this area.

Thank you to The Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for supporting my vision by awarding me the Agriculture Enterprise Award for 2008 at a ceremony on March 6/09. Niagara Entrepreneur Award

Thank you to the Province of Ontario as well for supporting innovation in agriculture through its' Premier's Awards. I was humbled to win a Regional Award for 2007. www.omafra.gov.on.ca