Our Story
Aaniin Bozoo
We are a community based farm owned and operated by the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. As a proud, progressive community we recognize the importance of providing fresh produce and food security to our community members and neighbours here in Lake Country. In 2018 we started the initial stages of our dream to establish the Rama Community Farm – Rama Maawnjiydiwag Gtigaan and have been growing ever since.
Ojibwe culture comes with an ingrained respect for the environment that blends well with sustainable farming practices. Rather than simply working on the land we believe we should work with the land, together as partners. We are not certified organic but we do follow the principals closely, as well as our own indigenous beliefs:
- Maintain a soil that is alive and rich in biodiversity;
- Avoid chemical fertilizers;
- Pay a living wage;
- Accept a few weeds and wildlife, bgwaj wesiinyag, for the part they play in our fields and;
- As our ancestors did before us, think of our grandchildren and future generations with every decision we make.
We also make use of crop rotation, green manure cover crops, reduced tilling, controlled irrigation to reduce water use, encourage biodiversity in the surrounding environment and much more. Chippewas of Rama First Nation has a deep history of caring for our community members and so will our farm. Throughout the growing season we provide fresh produce to our elders at our seniors centre and those still in their home, the Rama Food Bank, our Early Childhood Education Center and Kendassawin Elementary School.
Ojibwe culture comes with an ingrained respect for the environment that blends well with sustainable farming practices. Rather than simply working on the land we believe we should work with the land, together as partners. We are not certified organic but we do follow the principals closely, as well as our own indigenous beliefs:
- Maintain a soil that is alive and rich in biodiversity;
- Avoid chemical fertilizers;
- Pay a living wage;
- Accept a few weeds and wildlife, bgwaj wesiinyag, for the part they play in our fields and;
- As our ancestors did before us, think of our grandchildren and future generations with every decision we make.
We also make use of crop rotation, green manure cover crops, reduced tilling, controlled irrigation to reduce water use, encourage biodiversity in the surrounding environment and much more. Chippewas of Rama First Nation has a deep history of caring for our community members and so will our farm. Throughout the growing season we provide fresh produce to our elders at our seniors centre and those still in their home, the Rama Food Bank, our Early Childhood Education Center and Kendassawin Elementary School.
We employ community members at the farm where they learn the natural ways of planting and harvesting. These skills ensure our people will always be able to provide food for each other. Our new farm building features vegetable processing stations, a walk in refridgerator, a kitchen and will serve as our farm store as well as a base for community events and farm tours.
See our products page for a complete list of offerings, take a virtual tour, and follow us on social media to see what will be available.
Miigwech