We are a small urban farm on the ALR in Kamloops.
It is our aim to provide an example of the way to a sustainable living from small parcels of farm land.
OUR STORY
In 2005 Tricia Sullivan and Leo Lindinger were house hunting. There was a requirement for a good-sized office space, as well as outdoor space for Leo’s geology equipment, and Tricia’s landscape equipment. We had not gone looking for a farm, but the residence on Dairy Road fit the bill. Since Leo had grown up on 12 acres with large gardens helping the family provide food for their table, and Tricia had raised her children on organic food produced in her home garden in Kamloops, this seemed to be the ideal place.
Upon the discovery of a well-insulated chicken coop, meat birds were grown to provide chicken for their table. Then bought from a neighbor who said, “sheep are easy” 4 pregnant ewes were added to graze the pastures. Twelve years later, steep learning curves included; many fences and gates have been added to keep flocks in and or out of spaces. From this, we now produce enough to sell to members of our community. We have enough garden space to keep us in vegetables from harvest to planting, and provide our own meat, and trade with neighbors who grow that which we do not. The garden includes a large section for organic garlic, which we sell along with the chicken, turkey, and lamb. We have met our goal for sustainability for ourselves, and the size of flock our land will carry by rotation of hay field and pasture. We would encourage others to make productive and sustainable use of the Agricultural Land Reserve within the City of Kamloops.
ANIMAL MANAGEMENT & CARE PHILOSOPHY
Our sheep are very important to us. Humane treatment is utmost for all animals we care for. We do not have herding dogs or extensive handling systems; thus we choose to enlist the animals trust when moving and processing them. Stress levels are kept to a minimum.
We chose a hair sheep breed, the Katahdin/ Dorper cross because they are gentle, good mothers, self-shedding, so we don’t shave, shear or tail dock. They have 23% less fat, and little lanolin (as produced in wool sheep), so their carcass is lean and meaty without a gamey or strong flavour or odour, resulting in a full delicious flavour with a fine texture. Our pastures and paddocks are kept free of twine, sharp tools, equipment, debris etc. That way we minimize the potential for injury to animals and humans. All hay is stored dry and has zero mold. We want our animals to eat because the food is good, not because that’s all the food they have. Water troughs are cleaned often. We have observed that animals consume more water when it is fresh and clean and we all know how important water consumption is. Lambs are raised on natural pasture and Momma’s milk. Lamb creep is available from birth to weaning but very little is consumed. Daily paddock and pasture checks are done to ensure that changes in behaviours are quickly identified and consequently possible health issues are dealt with in a timely manner. We treat our sheep with a great deal of respect for their service as dams and sires for the income they bring to the farm. They, in turn, stay healthy and produce excellent lambs.
Our birds are raised naturally on organic grass pastures, under fruit trees. They hunt bugs in the shrubs and trees and shelter there in the shade. They are fed a non-medicated and non-GMO grain produced in BC. In late summer and fall, the turkeys also glean from the gardens. Sullindeo Farm has their poultry processed in government inspected facilities, and it is ready for cooking or freezer.
A PROUD SUPPORTER AND HOST OF WWOOF CANADA
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a global network and community that advocates and encourages the awareness of ecological farming practices. This is done by connecting organic farmers and growers (as hosts) with volunteers who are enthusiastic about being educated in organic farming while lending helping hands to their hosts.
Sullindeo Farm is a proud host of WWOOFers, and happily welcomes visitors from all over the world every year through WWOOF Canada.
To learn more, visit wwoof.ca
