by Jo Barnes | photos by Amanda Cribdon Photography
Stones in the field can impede the work of a farmer.
For this local farm, a unique type of stone is an essential component to daily work.
Owned by Laurie Kelly and Mike Butler, Millstone Farm and Organics in North Saanich offers fresh, nutritious flour made using the traditional technique of grinding the grains with millstones for which the farm is named.
“I had a passion for stone milling flour, and as some would say: ‘it is flour milled the old fashioned way,'” shares Laurie.
The mill was made in Austria and features Austrian pine wood and granite and volcanic stones.
Grains pass through two millstones, one moving slowly overtop another which is stationary. The process yields top quality flour.
“The millstones move at a slow rate so the grain is kept cool, which prevents any destruction of the nutrients found in the grain,” comments Laurie. “The flour produced is whole grain flour as none of the grain is stripped off in the process of milling.”
Everything from property purchase to process is the result of thorough research.
“We set out to find an organic piece of land that was within walking distance of a community and a short drive to Sidney and Victoria,” says Laurie. “We wanted to roll back the clock to the simpler times of our grandparents when shopping was done at the neighbouring farms, not the large scale grocery stores.”
While the initial plan was to offer both wheat and gluten-free flour, ultimately the decision was made to focus on the latter.
“The original plan was to have two separate studios, one for gluten-free, one for wheat flour,” shares Laurie. “But we decided to be solely dedicated to gluten-free flour.”
Laurie grew up in a household where slow cooking and scratch baking were daily activities and wanted to maintain these traditions with her own family. She enrolled in the grain milling course with the Canadian International Grains Institute; this had a profound effect on her.
“I saw large-scale milling firsthand and came to understand the process behind milling,” says Laurie. “White flour is stripped of all nutritional elements, and then they are added back in via a chemical form. It just didn’t make sense to me. So the flour milling journey began.”
The farm mills a variety of grains including sorghum, buckwheat, rice and amaranth. This is welcomed by both consumer and local bakery retailers.
“We have 12 different flours. It’s an extensive line,” notes Laurie. “We supply Origin Bakery in Victoria.”
Customers are encouraged to bring their own containers. The farm also offers a line of Miron glass jars which are washable, sustainable and great for storing flour.
“The scientific glass used in these jars blocks out all the light and therefore protects the nutritional goodness of the flour,” says Laurie.
As well as flour, Millstone offers a line of eco-friendly household products such as organic cotton storage bags, plant based eco cloths, and organic, biodegradable laundry soap. These offerings are an extension of the farm’s commitment to healthy environment and future sustainability.
“We are passionate about local, fresh, organic and zero waste,” comments Laurie.
Part of this focus on the environment is a high regard for the creatures living on it which include miniature sheep and donkeys. The products used and made here are certified Cruelty Free by the Leaping Bunny Association, meaning the farm does not test any of its products on animals and it does not raise its animals for meat.
Animals here not only play a vital role in land maintenance and soil quality, but have prompted the creation of another product in the lineup.
“10 years ago, we wondered what to do with the wool,” says Laurie. “We discovered that you can create a ball through needle felting and water agitation. We came up with wool dryer balls.”
Sales of the product have been surprising.
“We just sold our 100,000th wool dryer ball!” exclaims Laurie.
These all-natural products have received attention far and wide and were even included in the swag bags given to celebrities attending the Emmy Awards.
Currently, products can be picked up at the farm gate Tuesday through Saturday (starting August 28). They are available through over 30 retailers. For more info, visit www.millstoneorganics.com.
High quality and environmental sustainability goes to the heart of this farm enterprise.
“Nothing is done without a lot of thinking about the whole equation, how what we do impacts you as a consumer and also the environment,” says Laurie.
Whether it’s milling grains for healthy flour or creating eco-friendly items, it’s all about making high quality products that serve a healthy purpose, help reduce waste, and protect the environment. To this end, Millstone Farm is leaving no stone unturned.
