The recipient of numerous industry awards, St. Francis Herb Farm (SFHF) is known and loved by many for their production of high quality plant medicines. However, few are aware that they are a homegrown Ontario brand, nestled amongst the rolling hills, rocks, forests, and rivers of the Madawaska Valley, with a long history of organic farming and holistic herbalism.

Since 1988, SFHF has been family owned and operated, and a proudly Canadian business. For over three decades, SFHF has cultivated the land and nurtured their knowledge to bring the power of the plant to the world. In 2021, they built a 33,000 square foot processing facility in Barry’s Bay – Canada’s largest dedicated plant medicine facility. Now operated by Caitlin and Paul Rivett-Carnac, SFHF is committed to growing herbs ecologically, and sourcing high quality raw materials from Canadian ecological growers.

Join this tour for a rare behind the scenes look at St Francis Herb Farm’s plant medicine facility as well as its recently re-established (2022) herb farm. Interested and qualified producers may be able to sell their herbs to the business, so bring your contact cards and questions for the opportunity to have a conversation.

Tour price includes an indepth tour of the farm and facility, conversation, and lunch by Seed and Stone Farmstead. After lunch, there will be an optional work bee on the farm, where participants will have the opportunity to work alongside SFHF team members and other farm participants for hands-on learning and connection. As a thank you, those who participate in the work bee will receive a discount at the SFHF farm store.

This tour, lunch and work bee are designed for farmers, but community members are welcome and encouraged to join as well!

For the tour:

• Much of the tour will take place outdoors, so please dress for the weather and bring what you need to learn and enjoy!
• Kids 16 and under, with an accompanying adult, are welcome to join for the tour at no charge. Please note that anyone under 16 is not permitted in the processing facility, so won’t be able to join for that portion. The group will be split in two for the tour, so there are options to trade-off and take turns.
• Note that participants will need to adhere to some requirements in order to tour the inside of the facility (such as wearing clean close toed shoes). These requirements will be sent to registrants in advance of the tour.

For the work bee:

• Participants should wear closed-toed shoes and bring sun/weather protection and work gloves.
• These tasks will be physical and may require bending, lifting, etc. We can work together to find ways for all to participate as they are able to, but may be somewhat limited.

Agenda

10:00am-12:00pm – Farm and facility tour

12:00-12:45pm – Catered picnic lunch and socializing

12:45-2:00pm – Work bee