Farmington, a great place to grow - Local Farmers pivot during COVID-19 to create a whole new offering and revenue stream.

Story by Tina Hennigar 
Béatrice Schuler-Mojon photos.
Farmers Mykal Koloff, originally from Chester, and Marena Thomson, originally from Toronto, along with fellow farmer, Robin Johnston from the Ottawa Valley, all had pre-existing farms when they had a conversation in the winter of 2018 about what the upcoming season might look like. That conversation lead them into a partnership and Soil Mates was born. 
They grow a variety of crops, well over 25 in fact, and collectively sell at farmers’ markets to small grocers and restaurants. 
When COVID-19 forced the temporary closure of farmers’ markets and restaurants, Soil Mates decided to create a subscription vegetable basket service to get their products into their customers kitchens, allowing for four possible pickup locations around Lunenburg County. 
“It’s been a successful venture,” said Robin. “We will continue to offer it even with the reopening of the markets and restaurants.” It’s now an added revenue stream for the young company.
They work as a team and utilize each other’s strengths within the business, but credit Lunenburg County for its thriving local food scene and complimentary food services. “People have been farming here ​for generations for a reason,” Robin said. “There is good farmland here.” 
“We’ve felt incredibly supported here 
in Farmington. There’s a terrific mix of folks, some living here for generations, while others are looking for a more self-sufficient life,” she shared.
You can find them selling their Lunenburg County grown produce at the Lunenburg Farmers’ Market and on the plates of many local restaurants such as The Kiwi Cafe, Mateus Bistro and The Port Grocer. 
 Contact them at: www.soilmates.ca to learn more.