Tea with Local Producers

On March 31, I was invited to the 2012 edition of Tea with Local Producers in Cochrane, Alberta organized by Mireille Hamel. It was an informative morning with eight local farmers introducing themselves, their philosophies and their products. 

Ken Ryan of Ryan's Honey and Fallen Timber Meadery in Water Valley brews several types of mead, which can be described as "honey wine". They have tours at the farm and a booth at the Kingsland Farmer's Market.

Charlie Buckler represented Buckler Farm north of Cochrane near Bottrel.  They grow saskatoons, raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, beans, beets, several types of greens and carrots and many other vegetables available as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription or by u-pick. The asparagus will be ready in June!

Travis Eklund of WineGlass Ranch located south west of Cochrane delivers custom cuts of beef to your door. Check out the photos on their website - such a beautiful location!


Aleah Krahn of Sundance Fields near Olds has CSA subscriptions for vegetables and eggs with weekly delivery to Cochrane and several locations in Calgary. They will also have a subscription for chickens this year.


Bernie Pagenkopf of Uncle Bernie's All Natural Meats near Airdrie sells turkeys, chickens, elk and bison.

Judy of Buffalo Horn Ranch

Judy Haase of Buffalo Horn Ranch near Olds will deliver bison meat to your home and during the summer have a stand at the Bearspaw and Cochrane Farmer's Markets. On June 23rd they will celebrate Buffalo Mother's Day  and show off the new calves. Sounds like a fun afternoon!




Erin Butters of Lazy JL Ranch showed a moving video of their ranch northwest of Cochrane, which was produced in association with Cows and Fish (Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society). Marion Wearmouth of Cochrane shared the history of the farm she inherited from her parents, which will be in a rebuilding phase this year. 

Thanks, Mireille!

Thank you, Mireille, for organizing such a great event.