Alpenblick Farm just might be the closest thing to going to Switzerland that you may ever experience. Surrounded by classic Swiss paraphernalia - from cuckoo clocks to beautiful oversized cowbells, Alpenblick which means ‘mountain view’ in German, conjures up visions of snow covered alps, animals grazing in alpine meadows, green valleys, chalet-dotted hillsides, and the bucolic sounds of cow bells. Here, near Ashton, ½ an hour from downtown Ottawa, Robert and Petra have created something of an ‘homage’ to his place of birth.
Robert grew up on a mountainside farm in the Simme Valley in Switzerland from where Simmental cattle originate. After leaving Switzerland as a young man, he spent time in England working as a chef. After an accident which left him unable to tolerate long hours of standing in a kitchen, he became a dog trainer for the Royal Airforce – for the purpose of detecting narcotics and explosives. He eventually applied for a contract in Ottawa training dogs for the RCMP and, in 1968, ended up moving to the old homestead they now share.
Petra moved to Vancouver Island from Germany in 1989 and wound up in the Ottawa area three years later. She has a background in fitness training and now teaches classes regularly in Almonte and works with COG coordinating the Organic Food Directory – a list of organic farms and what they produce. The glue that holds this couple together is their passion and love for their animals. Both the stock they keep for meat production, and the numerous ‘pets’ that have found their way into their lives, are treated with much affection and care. We are firm believers in a natural approach to disease prevention and general livestock management. In addition to the use of organic methods, Petra sometimes practices Reiki (a type of energetic healing therapy) on her animals. Their animals are allowed to breed according to their natural cycles (ie. no use of hormones to induce estrus); they are grass and hay fed, and generally left to develop at their natural rate with minimal interference.
Their passion for animals may be matched only by their shared commitment to educating the public, especially children and youth, about living a healthy life – particularly where it comes to growing our food and developing skills related to this. Petra and Robert have met many wonderful people who have provided invaluable support (and friendships) to the farm in the last few years. Much of this is a result of an outreach effort by Lynda Hall (COG Ottawa) several years ago. Hall was also instrumental in creating the partnership between Alpenblick and COG for the Youth Farm Apprenticeship Camp. Essentially an extension of the day-long farm visits for kids that have happened under the banner of COG’s Growing Up Organic (GUO) program in Ottawa, the Camp offers groups of youth 5 days of camping at the farm. During their stay they experience a general introduction to the practice of, and reasons for, farming organically. They learn to cook over an open fire, to milk and make cheese and to tend the animals. They also learn many other simple yet profoundly important life skills such as how, and why, to read a food label in the grocery store! One child reported that it was the best camp he’s ever been to. This enthusiasm (and it is plentiful) is what inspires and energizes this couple to do what they do. Can you blame them?
What started with day visits for kids through the GUO program, moved into ‘camp’ sessions, and now also includes what the couple hopes will become continual weekly farm visits by schools, day cares, and community centers in the area. Wouldn’t it be revolutionary if all children had this opportunity for at least one week of their youth? The experience connects them with local farmers and provides them with insight into their lives and philosophies. It also transfers valuable knowledge and skills from farmer to youngster that has the potential to profoundly influence behavior and the choices they make throughout their lives.