Every farm has its own approach, but one thing’s for sure - more and more farmers are looking toward modern techniques that can help increase productivity, farmer’s income and most of all, improve the condition of the soil and our environment. One such new practice is regenerative agriculture that adopts modern farming technologies to regenerate and revitalize the land and climate. As a result, soil health is drastically enhanced, giving farms the capacity to produce high quality, nutrient-dense foods whilst improving, and ultimately leading to substantial yields, healthy communities and economies. One of our vendors who is currently using regenerative farming is Hunters’ Dale, a small farm located in the Fraser Valley. Learn about their passion for producing microgreens and mushroom and their focus on holistic management principles. Have a read below and let us know what you think!

What do you produce at Hunter’s Dale, and what products do you offer?

Currently, we grow microgreens and gourmet mushrooms at the farm.

Microgreens are essentially at an inspection stage, i.e. the initial growth phase of a plant before they start to grow their true leaves. Plants are harvested early to capture their unique flavour profile as well as their plating appeal. We believe adding microgreens to any dish can elevate the look and flavour of the meal. 

With gourmet mushrooms, we find even more depth and unique flavours. The shapes, colours, and flavours of mushrooms vary greatly, and if you are someone who enjoys expanding your palate and trying new things, mushrooms are a sure way to achieve new culinary experiences!

We offer both microgreens and mushrooms in pre-weighed packages. Our aim for these items is to always provide fresh food year-round to our customers as we grow 365 days a year indoors. 

What do you or your company stand for? 

We aim to provide high-quality foods grown locally that don’t have to travel far. We at Hunters’ Dale stand for taste, taste and more taste - it’s all in the flavour. 

What’s the story behind it all? 

The story started from “Frustrated with Food” to “Farming into the Future”! 

We are not a conventional farming family unit. We are a mother/daughter duo with different backgrounds and common goals. For years, we both sought tasty food. Throughout our journey, we’ve learnt that quality at the source meant the best flavours in food. We now know that a delicious meal - and we do mean the explosions of deliciousness in your mouth - starts with good ingredients and that those come from small-scale farms managed by passionate growers who ensure that the quality of what they produce is exceptional.   

We are now amongst those passionate growers who want to provide the best food to our community in the Fraser Valley all year round. We have begun by growing microgreens and gourmet mushrooms following regenerative practices.

As we continue to build a diverse farm, we will offer more products to our customers in the near future.

How do you feel about the Fraser Valley and about supporting local businesses?

We love local! We love living in the Fraser Valley. It is home to us, and we want to support local businesses who also see the Fraser Valley as their home too. So, we chose to live and start a farming business in the Fraser Valley, where we are on the doorstep of our customer base.

What does the future have in store?

The future holds a diverse farm practicing regenerative agriculture. Protecting our land is important to us, and we want to do everything we can to become a more dynamic operation that values holistic management principles.

How has your relationship with your customers evolved over the years?

Our group of enthusiastic customers has grown steadily over time, and we intend to provide a more diverse selection of products as we grow and build our customer base. 

The interview helped us understand the journey and vision of Hunters’ Dale; what about you? Do you feel the connection between yourself and your local farmer? If so, what is it about the farm that helps you make a positive contribution to the environment?