Our story,
from The ground up
From the soil community to our own community of friends, family, herbalists, and others…
Growing with a
loving land…
The foundation of Awaken Herb Farm is the land, the soil, the ecosystem within here on Treaty 1 near the southeastern shores of Lake Winnipeg. While we are far from experts, we are endlessly curious and committed to learning more and more about soil health as we grow in relationship with the land, and grow herbs for you. We are a conventional spray-free farm, and we focus on ecological growing methods such as no-till, biodynamics, and more. Our family came to this place in 2017 and neighbours tilled the gardens for us in 2018.
Starting vibrant herbs…
All of our seedlings are grown right here on the farm, in our little greenhouse that could. Starting in January, we begin stratifying seeds and nestling them into their soil blocks, excitedly watching for those first precious sprouts. We grow according to the biodynamic calendar, and craft a nourishing soil mix for seedlings to establish within. The seedlings are fed all natural ‘vitamins’ like seaweed, and are conversed with often. All of this leads to well-loved, vibrant, and healthy transplants to tuck into the Awaken gardens!
Co-creating a
garden ecosystem…
As above, so below! Or, in this case, the reverse of that… Just as we wish to create a thriving soil ecosystem, we also wish to create a resilient, lively ecosystem of plants and creatures, each providing their own ecosystem services – all parts of a wonderful whole. From the plants themselves, to the many species of bees, bugs, butterflies, birds, and more who call the gardens home. When we find a more unwelcome critter, such as Skullcap Leaf Beetle and grasshoppers, we gift them as a healthy snack for our chickens.
Cultivating community…
What’s truly at the heart of what we do is – you. We grow these herbs to Awaken others to the power of relationship with these healing plants. We invite you to the gardens to get to know the herbs, to reconnect with your herbal heritage, and to find community with others on their own herbal journey. We offer workshops taught from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds to help equip you to stock your herbal apothecary. For an even deeper community experience, we offer Rise Up Herb Gathering – a full day of herbal learning and connection on the farm.
Tending the land with love…
Our main garden tender is Kris, who has many fond memories of tending gardens of Echinacea and other flowers with both her grandmother and mother — and passing on the joy of connection with the land and plants to her children when they were young. After years of self-study and a smattering of herbalism courses, Kris hopes to grow herbs at Awaken for folks in her community and beyond, and also to grow a local herbshed movement, with a focus on cultivating herbs, making them more accessible, sustainable, and of incredible quality. Her favourite part of the herb farm is hosting u-pick harvests and events, and seeing the joy and peace of guests as they grow relationships with the plants and each other.