Lorrissa Stigings works hard to feed her community.
She’s the owner and operator of Fresh From The Garden, a small-scale agriculture business that provides locally-grown, chemical-free produce and farm-fresh eggs to residents of the Carlyle area.
Located on a farm just outside of Carlyle, Fresh From The Garden began seven years ago as a market garden selling vegetables, typically grown in the ground, and has since expanded into a venture that includes both garden and greenhouse-produced vegetables.
“In the greenhouse I grow mini cucumbers, which are a favourite of the locals. I always grow cherry tomatoes, larger slicing tomatoes, green peppers and jalapeños. In the garden we have the traditional vegetables like peas, beans, carrots, potatoes, onions and pickling cucumbers,” Stigings said in an email to The Observer.
Despite growing up in a family of gardeners, Stigings did not expect that one day she would be running her own agriculture business.
“My mom had a greenhouse where she sold flowers and bedding plants. Also my mom and grandma always grew a massive garden every year. Back then as a kid, gardening was not fun and definitely not something I thought I would be doing later in life,” Stigings said.
Fresh From The Garden is now a thriving business, but according to Stigings things got off to a less-than-ideal start.
“The very first year was a disaster. Had no clue what I was doing and made many, many mistakes,” Stigings said. “However, I wasn't about to give up. I enrolled in a few horticulture classes through the University of Saskatchewan distance learning program. I also became a member of the Saskatchewan Greenhouse Growers Association where I met a few great people who were more than willing to share their knowledge.”
Stigings believes that local and small-scale agriculture are important industries within the province of Saskatchewan.
“We have a lot of opportunity within our province to produce a good portion of our own food. Why wouldn't we take advantage of what's right in front us?”
The Fresh From The Garden farm store is open every day and customers can come and go as needed. Produce is generally available from May through until late fall, while eggs are available year round. More information is available on the Fresh From The Garden Facebook page.
