On an overcast afternoon I arrived at City Life Farms a bit early, so as I was waiting to meet Brian I found myself noticing my surroundings. First the two dogs came to play with me and see what I was all about, closely followed by four turkeys who were curious too. In the open field are some cattle, a couple horses and chickens running around a building. I notice the main Red Barn and it reminded me of the Red Barns and out buildings that used to be on my grandparents farm.
City Life Farms is a small farm located close to Pickardville, AB., just southwest of Westlock. What makes this small family farm so special you might ask? It is the reason behind the farm that makes it unique. Brian Mendieta along with his wife Jennifer decided to make a change three years ago. Brian had been diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma before his 30th birthday, after going through chemotherapy and being very ill they decided to make a change. So Brian and Jen left their busy city lives and after a few other stops ended up here. Brian says “I am happier then I have ever been, the girls and I enjoy every day.”
As Brian and I walk through the pasture area where his hogs are you can just hear a positive tone in his voice. Life is important and sometimes it takes a health scare to make each of us realize how very precious it is.
City Life Farms is pasture to plate all in one, raising non medicated animals. Although their largest focus is beef the farm also has sheep, chickens, turkeys, alpacas, horses and of course hogs.
In May they made another change and opened up a butcher shop in Westlock so people can come and buy direct from the people who raise the meat. Like in years gone by you get that intimate feel of getting to know the people who not only raised the meat but butchered it as well. Before customers could come out to the farm and buy their meat from the onsite butcher shop, but as Brian adds, “Being in town is more convenient for the customer.”
They also sell at the St. Albert Farmers Market and have an online ordering system. They even offer free delivery in the Edmonton area with orders over one hundred dollars. Brian shared with me that at this time he only has two hogs on site, both are large blacks, which work well with living outdoors. “They are a hardier breed, able to withstand our winters,” commented Brian. His four year old boar, who he refers to as Hank, a big guy weighed in at 670lbs last year. Even though he is a very big boy and very tame, Brian encouraged him to get up from his nap and pose for a Kodak moment.
Close by is his three year old sow, she is due within the next week, this is her third parity. She too is tame when we walk up to her, Brian gives her a scratch and a pet and she just takes it all in. The pigs have an area of about 5.5 acres to wander, which is a natural environment with many places to root.
It took Brian and I some time to locate the pair who were resting in area covered in bushes. There is some open area as well where extra feed, a mixture of oats and barley, can be left. Two separate covered outbuildings provide warmth and shelter. The larger open ended shelter has an abundance of straw to bed down in, which Brian said he adds more straw in the winter. The smaller enclosed shelter is where his sow farrowed last time, and it too has a bed of straw to add comfort.
Next month Brian is traveling out to Pembenton, British Columbia to Rootdown Organic Farms to pick out six sows that he will bring back to grow his herd. The sows will be a cross breed of Berkshire and Tamworth. Last year he raised 45 market hogs.
As mentioned earlier beef is the largest portion of City Life Farms business, they supply a few high end restaurants in the Edmonton area. Above the old butcher shop in the Red barn is a large open room, which has been used for parties and functions of many kinds and shapes. They have even hosted hot yoga in the winter months.
In September, City Life Farms hosted the 2nd Annual Barn Bash. Highlights of the bash which took place September 10th, included bands playing live music. Activities for the whole family, a live and silent auction and of course accompanied by a great meal. The meat was supplied by City Life Farms, side dishes by Privada Wine & Tapas and the Glasshouse Bistro & Café. Profits will go to support Cancer research & community organizations.
Brian and Jennifer along with their three daughters are very happy with the decision they made. Our Vision at City Life Farms: “Go back to the basics. Return to your roots. A time when you knew Your Butcher, Your Baker, and Your Farmer, and offering a relationship between you and your food producers.”
Thanks Brian for sharing your story and for the farm tour. •
— By Laurie Brandly
