Rupert Jannasch purchased Avonmouth Farm in 2004 from an elderly friend whose family had been farming the land for 3 generations, and who was able to see the gardens, fields and barns come back to life before he passed away a few years later. Now renamed Ironwood farm, the mixed vegetable and livestock production consists primarily of vegetables for a weekly CSA and Farmers Market stand, high-bush blueberries and sheep, with pigs and cattle at times through the year. The farm speaks of generations of care and thought; dotted around the 200 acre property you will find everything from an aging cherry orchard, to currant and gooseberry bushes, to heritage roses.
Ironwood Farm is not certified organic. The vegetables are grown with compost generated on the farm, and purchased crab meal. Conventional pesticides are not used. Our sheep are the heart and soul of the farm; they convert grasses and legumes into meat and wool, and their manure is used to make compost. Greenhouse crops are grown in biologically active soils and not in nutrient solutions (i.e. hydroponics).
Although Rupert did not grow up on a farm, he has been involved in agriculture for much of his life: as an apprentice on a farm in Germany; gaining experience in both plant and animal husbandry across Canada, Europe, New Zealand and Israel; being a researcher and instructor at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College; and as an organic inspector. Rupert continues to help new or conventional farmers transition into organic farming, and has recently taken up the challenge of educating a much younger crowd, through his connection with Halifax Independent School and others.
Heather Johnson spent much of her formative years working in either her father’s orchard, or at the local exotic animal farm (now Zoo). It was only after finding her way to Hwy 215 over a decade ago that she rediscovered her family connection to the area dating back over one hundred years, which may help to explain the undeniable attraction to the area for her. The sheep are part of the longer term plan to work (experiment) with fiber and have a steady supply of fleece for felting with her students. She divides her time between the critters, vegetation and geology of Ironwood Farm and some amazing children and teens in Halifax, where she is a teacher and Deputy Head at Halifax Independent School.
We can be reached at:
(902)633-2358
5184 Hwy 215 Summerville
RR#1 Newport NS B0N 2A0
For information specific to our CSA visit http://ironwoodfarmcsa.ca/
Instagram: ironwoodfleece
I have just come to the blog for the first time.
I feel so lucky that my family and I have a connection with this farm! I wish and hope many others have an opportunity to visit with you there.
The pictures are so lovely…
Having a slow day on this cold, windy March day and thought to play on the computer to discover what new and exciting things I could find…Ironwood Farm… felt like a good place to read about! The photos are endearing and remind me of the hours spent on your farm, in the lovely heat of summer, being wet, dirty, tired, and happy; soon the cycle will start again, we may be complaining of the heat, wet, dirt, tiredness, but, we will be happy!
Found your blog whilst having tea this morning. The pictures are just lovely! All the best from Carolyn & family in Manitoba.
Glad to hear you are enjoying a little of the east coast over some morning tea. Hopefully spring has found you and you’re managing to stay relatively dry out there.
Cheers,
hj
hi, I found your blog via Movita Beaucoup. Love all the pictures. Are you open for visits? My family would love to stroll about and visit with the animals. My 3 year old is just obsessed with farms right now. We intend on having a hobby farm down the road. We also would not mind getting our hands dirty if you have some work for us to do too!
[…] Rupert Jannasch and Heather Johnson of Ironwood Farm have been farming for many years, but this is the first year of their CSA. Ironwood Farm is located at the mouth of the Avon River in Hants County. You can check out beautiful photos of the farm on their website. […]
Rupert and Heather, I love the web-site…but not as much as I love your farm. You have a beautiful space…we are very fortunate to get the wonderful opportunity to pick raspberries there. Thanks for always being welcoming when we come and helpful to us as new farmers.
Hello, Craig and Leslie Adamson of Seabright would like to become a member of your CSA. Please contact us and let us know how to do that. Love the pictures … shows the beauty of it all (the many hours of labour not so much !!…). We’ve driven through Summerville on our motorbikes quite a few times, usually stopping at the Emporium, but were never sure exactly where you were. Are you open to visitors? I would love to see the sheep … it’s been a while since I spun wool but the attraction to this fiber is still there.
Best regards,
Leslie
Happy to have you stop by on one of your excursions to Summerville…depending on how you time it, you could fill up on raspberries or blueberries, too! Lambing should be starting at the first of April, and then things won’t quiet down again until the winter, I’m sure. Give us a call or e-mail Rupert directly to get more details about the CSA.
Cheers!
[…] Location: Ironwood Farm, […]
Awesome photos!! As a child visiting my Granddad Sanford and Aunts /Uncle, I would often have the chance to visit AVON MOUTH FARM (IRONWOOD FARM). It’s so great to be associated with the farm for the past eight years, the farm has changed over the years but Rupert & Heather have always been friendly & helpful!!
[…] Boutilier was 31 years old when she got stung while working at Ironwood Farm in Hants […]