ALAMEDA - Heather Thomas has transformed a piece of land near Alameda into a thriving organic vegetable farm, embodying sustainable agriculture and a passion for healthy, local food. Her journey into organic farming is not only a personal endeavor but also a commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being.
Thomas’s farm is nestled in the fertile soil south of Alameda on Highway 9 to Northgate, which boasts a variety of organic vegetables that cater to the growing demand for fresh, pesticide-free produce.
She married her husband Robert Thomas 28 years ago and has resided on the same farm. They have two daughters, Mackenzie who is 22 years old and has a 10-month-old daughter named Georgia lives in Estevan but is her mother's helper, while Taylor is 19 years old and lives in Regina currently going to school at Style Academy to become a hairstylist.
The farm began as a dairy farm and grain farm, but over the years things changed and they got into beef cattle while still having the grain. For 10 years they produced organic grain but decided it was time to rent out the land and Robert went to work for Richardson Pioneer outside of Estevan.
Ten years ago, they received a new neighbour and this neighbour asked Thomas if she was interested in planting pumpkins that they could sell, and the Pumpkin Wagon was created. Thomas thought she was crazy but decided to jump on board and give it a try. This adventure turned out to be a phenomenal success.
The first four years Thomas took her pumpkins and now vegetables as well to the Red Market Barn by Kenosee Lake. It was a wonderful time seeing people getting excited about which pumpkin was perfect for their family.
Each year they try to get the garden in as early as possible using a Jang seeder with a tractor that has a row marker on the back.
Spinach, lettuce, and onions are always the first to be put in the ground, but mother nature does not always cooperate with seeding time.
From crisp lettuce and juicy tomatoes to hearty carrots and vibrant bell peppers, her farm is a testament to the rich agricultural potential of the region.
Altogether she plants around two acres, half an acre in potatoes and half an acre in pumpkins, the rest is taken up by cucumbers, beans, beets, and carrots.
The majority of the work is done by hand, and the worst part is the weeding, which always seems to grow at a quicker rate than the vegetables and at times it is a struggle to stay ahead of the game.
Recently they put up a greenhouse and this will most certainly help with starting seeds in the spring and a hoop house for peppers and tomatoes. It is her hope to have one more that will house the cucumbers and beans.
This form of greenhouse will protect the product from weather conditions but also help the produce grow keeping the inside nice and warm giving a little longer to the growing season.
Thomas feels strongly about being organic, and her methods enhance the soil health and biodiversity.
She avoids any kind of chemical spraying, as she said, “We do not want to eat things that are not healthy for us.”
“My vegetables may not be perfect, but they are delicious,” said Thomas.
She often takes pre-orders and gains more customers every year, so she grows her business only to find out that she needs to grow her garden larger, as she seems to be in short supply.
Thomas also offers home preserves that she has canned with recipes that she has had for many years and they are people pleasers.
“I love what I do and will keep going as long as my body lets me,” she said. She enjoys feeding people her healthy and safe vegetables that are always home grown.
