They both criss-crossed Europe and Canada each on their own to further their knowledge of vegetable production; however, it was in the Gatineau Valley where their paths crossed. It was an area that adopted them and where they married and got into business.
“Or, perhaps it was a matter of the Valley adopting them,” said Abbigail Spencer who co-owns the Ferme Réservoir with her husband Thomas Gibbs in Low bordering the Gatineau River. “As we see it, this is an ideal location to live and realize our dream of being entrepreneurs for the first time. We’ve lived in several areas around the world, but the Gatineau Valley is special with its magnificent Gatineau River. The Valley also offers several business advantages such as operating costs that are far lower than if our farm were near a large urban centre.”
They founded the Ferme Reservoir on a 1.5-acre lot
Mr. Gibbs grew up in England and completed his high school in Ottawa. Ms. Spencer, who was born on a farm in Manitoba, also lived 10 years in Montreal. They met in 2016 on the Juniper farm, not far from their current farm. They married the following year, and in 2018, they founded the Ferme Reservoir on a 1.5-acre lot.
“There was a food supply need that needed to be met in the Gatineau Valley,” said Abbigail Spencer, who pointed out that their farm is an organically certified vegetable farm that produces forty or so vegetables and fine herbs. “We both have experience in organic farming, and in fact, it’s the only way to grow the vegetables we are familiar with.”
OUR PRODUCT MEETS A FOOD SUPPLY NEED
There’s a great spirit of community mindedness and collaboration
“The response to our organic vegetables from clients, many of whom are concentrated in the Gracefield Market in the Gatineau Valley, was immediate. Our strategies to develop the market outside the region also paid off, because half of our distribution goes into vegetable baskets sold outside the region, particularly in Ottawa and Gatineau. Organic vegetables are in increasing demand, not only in the region but all over Quebec and Ontario.”
“We like to talk to our customers in order to gauge and ultimately be able to meet their needs. People in the Valley are quite warm and prioritize family values. There’s a great spirit of community mindedness and collaboration. The reception we received from the community and organizations in the region has been incredible. We really feel supported, and we love the valley. All of the services in a major centre are here such as a hospital, pharmacies, physiotherapists, dentists, restaurants and many others.”
ORGANIC VEGETABLES ARE IN DEMAND EVERYWHERE
We received great support from economic development organizations in the Gatineau Valley
After year one in operation, the company gained its cruising speed, and many projects came in to further its business development. All the while, they did keep the human dimension of the company, as it is one of the important aspects of living in and doing business in the region.
“The administrative aspect was challenging for us, explained Ms. Spencer. However, we received great support from economic development organizations in the Gatineau Valley. In terms of the business, the future augurs well, but we want to boost our share of the Gatineau-Ottawa market. To do so, we will develop collaborative arrangements and new synergy with other outside partners. Even though we are some distance away, it is possible to do brisk business with more urban centres in the periphery of our region.”
NO SHORTAGE OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
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