Our Farm's History

Charlie and Christine Forman have been farming on the Brewer’s Mills Road since 1973. Charlie grows corn, wheat and soybeans along with son Ben. The soybeans are “food grade” grown for export. The fertilizer used for crops is being produced on the farm and from NorTerra using the City of Kingston Green Waste Program.

Switch grass is grown and used in the production of pellets for heating, horse bedding and flower mulch marketed by their sister company Switchgreen. Charlie is currently working on a new project to build a pelleting mill for the production of biomass pellets.

In order to diversify their farm business Forman’s purchased their neighbour’s greenhouse business in 2005. Christine manages the greenhouse and a staff of 6 people. The main crop is hydroponic tomatoes; however they also produce hydroponic lettuce as well as outdoor crops of garlic, sweet corn, acorn and butternut squash, pumpkins and gourds. Bedding plants, annuals, perennials, grasses as well as specialty plants and shrubs including custom containers is a thriving part of the business.

From mid-November to Christmas the greenhouse staff is busy making items for Christmas decorating including pots, hanging baskets and wreaths made from evergreens from their own bush and poinsettias. Fir trees are being planted annually as well; the first planting will mature in 2015 for Christmas.

The greenhouse was expanded in 2009 to increase space to a half acre. This included 2 full houses of cherry and grape tomatoes, 5 houses of beefsteak and cluster tomatoes and 2 houses of flowers. In 2010 and additional hoop house for flowers was added. The construction of 2 additional hoop houses has begun for use in 2011 and beyond.

Forman Farms products can be found at local Fresh Marts in Lansdowne, Elgin and Seeley’s Bay, Brownlee’s Metro and Country Flavours in Perth, Sunbury General Store and Naish’s Country Store in Sunbury, Vandervoort’s General Store and Old Farm Fine Foods in Kingston, White’s Groceteria in Gananoque and Wendy’s Mobile Market.

Kingston area restaurants including Pan Chancho Bakery, Chez Piggy, Olivea, Bella Bistro, The Kitschen, Golden Rooster, Junction Restaurant on Hwy 15 at Hwy 32 and Moroni’s in Gananoque are using Forman products as well.

Forman Farms operate under a sound Environmental Plan adapting to the eco friendly standards of Canada. They use compost on their farm fields and renewable energy crops grown on the farm to heat the greenhouse. Forman’s are members of the Local Flavours organization that promotes local producers.