Feeling Hopeful in Inverary

Kelli McRobert | Jun 01, 2022

As my community travels continue, I headed down to Inverary (my old stomping ground) last week to see what all my neighbours were buzzing about. There was talk of a family farm that had been a 68-acre homestead for the Keys family for over 150 years that has since been turned into a charming plant, veggie, and flower shop by the current owners Stan and Carole Anne. Hopeful Harvest was named after Hope, the daughter, and has been serving the gardening needs of the community for the past few years.

As I rounded the curve along Sunbury Road it was easy to locate #1239 as the red barn stood out, a beacon with pops of gorgeous colours, lined with planters, rustic props, and bright floral blooms that drew the eyes and stimulated that ‘happy place’ for those that love everything gardening. I was warmly greeted by Oscar, hesitant at first, as he sniffed and circled, curious as to who this visitor was, “friend or foe” as I crunched along the gravel drive looking for his mistress. A friendly tabby cat name Cali escorted me back to the green houses where I was met with a friendly wave ‘hello’ as Carole-Anne lugged her hoses diligently between the various pots and trays that lined the large protective structures. She had worked up a sweat as she lovingly tended to the myriad of plants, vegetables, and gardens.

As we entered the first greenhouse, I was comforted, the warmth of the enclosure, and the earthy smells reminded me of gardening with my mother as a child, and the visual ‘candy store’ was in full bloom awakening my senses and bringing me an inner peace. As we wandered through the well laid out spaces, Carole-Anne was sharing stories of how she met her husband Stan and the history of the farm that lines both sides of the highway with a coveted view of the river that winds its way behind the property gently carving out the sloped edges. She was the catalyst behind opening the shop as the pandemic demonstrated the need for local foods and supplies, as transportation and delays began to empty shelves and increase price gouging through various vendors.

Stan is ‘very handy’ she professed as she gave me a tour of the bright red buildings, each one offering shelter, shade, and an inviting space to display rustic local crafts and creative barn finds that she displays with flora and fauna as the background. It was like an Alice in Wonderland tour as each nook and cranny gave me creative ideas on plants, planters, wall art, and windmills that moved with each breeze and entertained me visually as we headed back to the field.

Carole-Anne is experimenting with potted plants in the ground, and they have begun the task of planting the fields and readying them for the fall harvest with neat rows and seasonal veggies that will be on offer in the next few months. Perennials will be in bloom and the plan is to have a cutting garden for fresh flowers to purchase to celebrate upcoming events and savouring the sights and smells of summer blooms. As our short interview extended over a few hours, we found ourselves chatting about this and that while enjoying the sunshine and cool breezes and the mutual appreciation we had for the ability of nature to calm our spirits and boost our moods one petal at a time.

The birds chimed in as Oscar and Cali came and went requesting head rubs and chin scratches as they lounged in the grassy patches and stretched tired muscles in the warm sunshine. Carole-Anne and I parted ways, kindred spirits it seems and thankful for the meeting and the ability to spend a few moments relaxed, chatting and sharing a laugh or two about our past, present and future dreams….both of us feeling ‘hopeful’ of what is to come.

The store is open various hours, so it is best to check their Facebook page for updated timings.

For those wanting to earn volunteer hours or just spend some time in the greenhouse, contact Hopeful Harvest for their current opportunities that are available.

Their website is http://hopefulharvest.ca or you can email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.