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RTE is a family-run farm in beautiful PEC using regenerative agricultural practices to produce grass-fed and pastured meats just 10 minutes outside of Picton in Beautiful PEC.

05/29/2026

My lordy time is flying!
It's hard to believe that the spring pigs have already been on field for (approaching) 2 months (!) .. until you see how much they've grown!

Talk about a growth spurt!

These guys, in particular, have excellent dispositions - they are amicable without being a little TOO friendly. Confidence without arrogance is a good thing in a pig. 😉

A long-term and ongoing task here on the farm is the preparation of the back acreage for eventual animal grazing: an eff...
05/28/2026

A long-term and ongoing task here on the farm is the preparation of the back acreage for eventual animal grazing: an effort which involves, in no small part, taming the thicket of eastern red cedars that have overtaken much of the usable land back there.

While the large cedars are being turned into future fence posts, the smaller trees (and many of the trimmed lower branches) are converted to a mulch.

Nothing goes to waste on a farm!

But one family can only use so much mulch (believe me, I've tried!) and there are MANY trees. So, if anyone would like some mulch, we have you covered!

$5 / bag.
Just shoot Ben a message if interested. :)

Man those were some hot days!Our chickens are luxuriating under their rustic shades with lots of fresh grasses to nibble...
05/21/2026

Man those were some hot days!

Our chickens are luxuriating under their rustic shades with lots of fresh grasses to nibble on. Things are picking up steam here on the farm for the 2026 season.

We will have fresh chicken available this weekend at the farm stand starting Saturday afternoon and at pictontownhallfarmersmarket on Sunday from 9-2, hope to see you there!

We also have some of our pastured pork available in the farm store while supplies last. Lots more coming in a few weeks.

Enjoy the cool weather while it lasts!

Sorry for the repost, had some techno issues
With the last one!

05/14/2026

I don't know why, but opening the chickens (+ Gus) in the mornings is something that I find just so uplifting.

It's not quite the same grinning-from-ear-to-ear joy that the bounding lambs elicit, but it's still a deeply satisfying upswell of overall satisfaction.

That said, if chickens have feelings, I imagine theirs is more akin to that of the bounding of lambs once that door opens in the morning and they are then free to muck about in the fields as they wish, inflicting chaos on the immediate bug population. 😆

05/12/2026

Oh baby, we're cooking now (with microbes!)!

Our compost pile is actually a key component of the farms' cyclical operations. Although the sheep, pigs, and hens are in the "barns" for only a brief portion of their lives, the amount of stuff that comes out of those barns is still impressive... to say the least. 😬

Early each spring, the amounting masses of hay and manure (as well as cleared brush, cutoffs, and the occasional passed chicken) make their way to our compost heaps where all of it is broken down by our microbial friends into the most stunning compost you ever did see.

And anyone who grows any sort of green thing can attest to the magic that is pure compost!

Once fully cooked, the compost is returned to both gardens and pastures where it feeds the next round of delicious greens - both for us and the various animals. 😁

05/09/2026

The pastures are really filling in now and after a few weeks of being on field the sheep - including new team members, have figured out that this whole moving thing is good news for them. 😁

Enthusiasm abound!

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, RTE utilizes management intensive / rotational grazing processes to facilitate, preserve, and build upon the biodiversity and overall health of our property.

Still unsure of what exactly I mean? Fair. Check out our website or give us a shout - we're happy to provide more info!

05/06/2026

When we talk about our chickens being 'pastured', what we're really talking about is the birds' access to sun, space, grass, and bugs. And boy but do those birds ever take advantage of it!

I mean, one look at the pasture before chickens versus after chickens and there's no question about how busy the birds are within their 'tractors' each day. And you know what? While the components that set pastured chicken apart are simple, they are also what drive our chicken from being 'good' to being 'excellent'!

The first of our 2026 pastured chicken will be available in early June Vicki's Veggies Farm, Picton Town Hall Farmers Market, and (of course) at our own farmstand.

C'mon lil' chickie's - grow!
We're hungry! 😜

05/01/2026

Soup!
Black currant jam!
Brann’s plants!
We’ve got it all! Except chicken pork and lamb for now 😳

Chicken is coming in early June!

Ben will sometimes get asked how he knows when to move the sheep.In some seasons (like now) it's more obvious than in ot...
04/28/2026

Ben will sometimes get asked how he knows when to move the sheep.

In some seasons (like now) it's more obvious than in others, but the sheep are the best indicators. When there's plenty of forage they'll be spread evenly across the paddock. As the forage is consumed they'll start to bunch up more and more.

But our sheep are well acquainted with the process. They know that when the forage is mostly gone they'll be moved so, often, the best tell is simply when Ben walks by and the sheep literally yell him into submission. 😆

Our son has decided he wants to become an entrepreneur and sell all of his mother's plants... and pots... and soil...But...
04/26/2026

Our son has decided he wants to become an entrepreneur and sell all of his mother's plants... and pots... and soil...
But I'm told that this is what parenting is about, so there are strawberry plants for sale in the farm shed!

$2 each or 3 for $5. 🍓

If looking for 10+ plants (sans pots), shoot us a message and I'm sure Brann will cut you a deal. 😆

Side note: These are everbearing strawberries so you'll get a smaller June flush than a June-bearing plant, but they'll continue delivering small amounts of fruit all season long with a second (smaller) flush in fall.

Address

1418 County Road 8
Picton, ON
K0K2T0

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

+19059751380

Website

http://www.youtube.com/@rtefarm3186

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