In a corner of Wolfe Island, a short ferry ride away from Kingston, Ontario, a remarkable tale of organic farming unfolds. Meet the dedicated team at Kitchen Table Seed House, on a mission to bring the most flavourful and productive varieties of organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers to your garden and kitchen.
Cultivating Flavorful Diversity
Nestled on three acres, Kitchen Table Seed House maintains two separate fields. This thoughtful separation allows for crop rotation, reducing pest and disease pressures, and preserving seed purity. Their commitment to organic practices is underscored by Eco Cert certification, and they proudly belong to the National Farmers Union and the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario.
Their focus? Flavour. Kitchen Table Seed House is all about curating varieties tailored to their bio-region, ensuring the most robust and delicious crops. Their goal is simple but impactful: to inspire you to savour meals with family and friends from your very own garden.
The team does not stop at what is already known. They are tirelessly working to enhance existing varieties, making them better suited for their region's unique climate and soil. These passionate farmers are also developing entirely new vegetable varieties, putting flavour at the forefront, and ensuring they thrive in organic systems. Collaboration is key, and Kitchen Table Seed House is excited to work with their fellow plant breeding partners through SeedWorks, a newly established breeding club.
Meet the Farmers
Behind Kitchen Table Seed House are two remarkable individuals who share not only the joy of farming but also the delights of cooking and savouring their homegrown produce. Their story began around a kitchen table, where they decided to combine their skills, passion, and knowledge to offer the best quality seeds from the varieties they have grown to love.
Kathy, a gardener, organic seed producer, and a mother, found her way to Wolfe Island in pursuit of a lifelong love for the countryside. Her journey connected her with local seed savers, revealing the crucial role of regional seeds in building a resilient food system. Kathy is a founding member of the Kingston and Area Seed System Initiative (KASSI), co-founder of Kitchen Table Seed House, and an active participant in the National Farmers Union Local 316. Her belief in the power of sharing good food around the kitchen table drives her work.
Annie, on the other hand, is an eater, a seed producer, and an emerging plant breeder. Her culinary background led her to a farm internship that uncovered the vast potential for flavours in the garden. She continued to learn on numerous farms, studied Sustainable Agriculture at Fleming College, and contributed to Kingston's Heirloom Seed Sanctuary. Her journey ultimately led her to work with Dr. Michael Mazourek in the Plant Breeding department at Cornell University. Today, her central focus at Kitchen Table Seed House is on improving and developing flavourful varieties, a passion she carries forward with unwavering dedication.
More information about Kitchen Table Seed House
Phone: 613-385-8569
Email: info@kitchentableseedhouse.ca
Website: https://kitchentableseedhouse.ca/
To view a full list of featured seed suppliers who cater to small farms and homesteaders, visit https://www.smallfarmcanada.ca/resources/seed-guide/.
For a complete list of the seed and seed stock sellers, request a printed copy of Small Farm Canada’s Annual Seed Guide here.