Tamarack Farms – Roseneath, ON

Richard and Nancy Self raise Certified Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World (AGW), Certified Non-GMO by AGW and Certified Regenerative by AGW sheep and pigs outdoors on pasture and range at Tamarack Farms in Roseneath, Ontario. The farm consists of 390 acres that Nancy and Richard use to raise livestock outdoors, as well as to grow hay to feed the sheep, make maple syrup and grow heirloom vegetables. “We are rehabilitating land that has been fallow for more than half a century,” Nancy says. “Essential to our farm’s philosophy is a deep and uncompromising respect for the land and the treatment of the animals. We always wanted to raise livestock and grow produce in a way that we would want for our own food.”

The flocks of Cotswold and Shropshire sheep at Tamarack Farms are managed outdoors on pasture and moved regularly to fresh ground to give the sheep access to the most nutritious grazing, preventing the buildup of pests and diseases and ensuring the land remains healthy and productive.

The Mangalitsa and Tamworth pigs at Tamarack Farms are managed outdoors and pasture and range where they are free to root and forage as pigs naturally do. This high-welfare management is a fundamental component of AGW certification and is known to have environmental, nutritional, and culinary benefits.

Nancy decided to pursue AGW certification because she is passionate about giving her animals the best possible lives: “Animal welfare has always been at the core of our farm ethos,” Nancy says. “We want our sheep to have a very happy, healthy life and a peaceful end.” She felt they were already meeting most of the program standards, and could use the certification as a marketing tool. “We were very impressed with A Greener World and felt they had a similar perspective as us,” she explains. “We are proud of our certifications. They provide third-party validation of our efforts and help customers understand how we care for our animals.”

Tamarack Farms is also Certified Non-GMO by A Greener World (AGW). This is the only certification and logo in the U.S. and Canada that guarantees a food product is produced without the use of genetically modified feed, supplements or ingredients, and comes from animals managed according to the Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW leading welfare and environmental standards on an independent farm.

Tamarack Farms was the first farm in Canada to be Certified Regenerative by AGW. This innovative certification provides a whole-farm assurance of regeneration and sustainability, measuring benefits for soil, water, air, biodiversity, infrastructure, animal welfare and social responsibility.

Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, Certified Non-GMO by AGW and Certified Regenerative by AGW lamb and pork from Tamarack Farms is available at several Toronto-based butcher shops and restaurants, including Oliffe, Cumbraes and Butchers of Distinction, as well as Primal Cuts store in Peterborough. The AGW-certified fiber product line from Tamarack Farms include custom, hand-woven, natural-colored blankets, throws, throw pillows, yarns and sheepskins. For more information about Tamarack Farms—and where to purchase their AGW-certified products—visit A Greener World’s online directory. For more information, visit tamarackfarms.farm, follow the farm on Instagram, or contact Nancy Self at naself@gmail.com or call 778-839-4711.