Farm Sum Anyone?

Sandra Reed | Jul 19, 2023

On Saturday, July 15th, folks from South Frontenac, Kingston and as far away as Ottawa, flocked to Long Road Ecological Farm in Harrowsmith for a very special summer experience. A guided farm tour and outdoor, homegrown, dim sum lunch!

The farm, on Highway 38 just north of Kingston, was bought 10 years ago by two Toronto lads, Xiaobing Shen, a software expert and Jonathan Davies, a musician. Neither had a farming background but they shared a common vision - to move to the country for a healthier and more ecofriendly lifestyle, and make their living off the land.

What is unique, is that their business venture has introduced more than just common vegetables, chickens and pigs, to the dormant farm. Xiaobing has brought his childhood experience to the table.

"I grew up as a Chinese peasant," he says, "so I learned a bit about raising animals and growing food."

Therefore, their vegetable gardens, converted from hay fields by hand, feature many Asian vegetables including bittermelon and luffa.

This summer, they're growing their own ginger in a greenhouse they erected around an old above ground swimming pool. With a little innovation and selective planting, the circular steel walls of the pool have become a creative interior feature.

From the beginning, their goal has been to grow ingredients for Xiaobing's Chinese dim sum recipes. Farm Sum Food is now a popular market food at The Memorial Centre Farmers Market in Kingston.

Saturday's guided farm tour included a tour of the veggie gardens and greenhouse, a visit to the pig pen, the henhouse and the beehives, a forest walk and a chance to shop in their quaint, little farm store.

The event was co-hosted by Jenn and Jordan of Forest and Flower Gardens, who are using part of the land for their own gardening dreams of vegetables, flowers and pickles.

While Jonathan was touring the guests, Xiaobing was busy in the new trailer (converted to a food kitchen), preparing a dim sum lunch of cucumber salad, sweet red bean steamed buns and dumplings.

The meal was served at one huge picnic table, where guests sat together, side by side under the shade of a large canopy.

"Communal dining," says Xiaobing, "is an integral part of our goal."

The next guided farm tour is scheduled for August 12th, with plans for many other interesting events in the future.

For reservations and updates go to https://farmsumfood.square.site/contactus or find them on Instagram: FarmSumFood or Facebook: Longroadecologicalfarm.

(This article has been edited for accuracy. The original post had the date as July 15, as did the print version that was published out on July 20))