Ferme Almana, located in Saint-Alban in Portneuf, is innovating with a pilot project for winter vegetable u-pick in a greenhouse. A rare initiative in Quebec which carries significant risks, but also offers inspiring possibilities.
Already known for their heirloom tomatoes, the owners of Ferme Almana, Rosalie Forest and Mathieu Dumas, have chosen a natural, unheated approach. Here, vegetables grow directly in the soil, adapting to the whims of Mother Nature. This initiative is part of a growing trend among vegetable producers to diversify their winter production, maximizing their infrastructure and generating income during the off-season.
A unique environment for resilient vegetables
Upon entering the first greenhouse, five rows of greenery come into view, where deep forest green leaves contrast with white tarps laid on the ground to facilitate movement. The planning for the varieties began in July, and the first plantings took place in September, well before the first frosts.
“The goal was to have robust plants ready to face the winter,” explains Rosalie. The varieties, selected for their cold resistance, include watermelon radishes, cabbage, celery, green onions, claytonia, spinach, and mâche.
Self-picking a solution
Initially, Rosalie had planned to sell her produce at the farm’s self-service kiosk. However, in winter, the kiosk’s foot traffic is unpredictable, dependent on the weather and other factors that are hard to explain. “Sometimes there are lots of people, and other times, it’s super quiet,” she explains.
This situation quickly led to a problem: the fridge would fill up with fresh vegetables, like surprisingly sweet spinach, without everything being sold. “After two hours, everything was gone, so I’d go back to pick more. But by the end of the week, I was left with too many unsold vegetables. I couldn’t bring myself to compost them, so I ended up eating them myself. It didn’t make sense!”
To solve this dilemma, Rosalie came up with the idea of winter vegetable self-picking. This solution not only reduces waste but also provides a unique experience for visitors while highlighting her produce.
An exciting, but risky project
Self-picking in the greenhouse comes with its challenges. “Anyone entering the greenhouse could unknowingly introduce a pest, especially if they’ve just visited another greenhouse without changing their shoes,” warns Rosalie. The health risks are real, but the producer remains confident and determined.
She emphasizes the importance of prevention, saying, “If you plan to visit another small farm or greenhouse, go to the Ressourcerie, buy yourself a pair of boots, and keep them in your car to wear when you enter my greenhouse.”
A delicate balance
The greenhouse, while protective for winter vegetables, also creates a humid environment that fosters the proliferation of diseases. This characteristic makes risk management crucial.
“If I catch a disease, especially in the tomatoes, it could mean the end of the farm. I don’t have a plan B. Some diseases require leaving the greenhouse fallow for five years.”
Rosalie Forest, co-owner of Ferme Almana
Despite these risks, Rosalie remains positive. “We are deeply rooted in our community here. We receive visits from schools, and people are proud to have this agricultural dynamism in their region. They want to take care of it,” she says.
By focusing on awareness and local involvement, Rosalie and Mathieu hope not only to succeed with their project but also to inspire other farms to explore the possibilities offered by winter farming.
