NEW DUBLIN - Two brothers have been seeing green since launching Golden Creek Horticulture this spring.

What started as a quarter-acre, trial garden on the family's hobby farm last year has now turned into a full-time operation by Bryce and Thomas Gordon. They specialize in organically grown, nutrient-dense vegetables for market sale, as well as online, CSA delivery and local restaurant sales.

"They've certainly gotten their hands dirty," says mom Diane, a long-time gardener and enthusiast of regenerative and sustainable agriculture. The brothers credit her with the idea of expanding the garden to create both a local food source as well as some extra income in this new era of COVID-19.

What none of them realized is how well their food would be received.

"We certainly didn't expect to do as well as we have been doing so it is a nice surprise," says Bryce, 23, adding they now completely sell out each Saturday at the Brockville Farmers' Market. It is heart-warming to have people appreciate their efforts and value the quality, he says.

"After eating our home-grown produce for several weeks we noticed that we felt better and had more energy. If this is what good sustainable market gardening is about, we are all in," says Bryce.

Thomas, a 19-year-old University of Guelph biological science student, was among those who came home from school early this year due to the pandemic. With his help in the garden, the siblings were able to beef up production and distribution.

Sales started off slowly but the brothers managed to be a part of the Brockville Farmers' Market drive-through service before open markets were allowed. It got their foot in the door for when outdoor markets reopened.

"Word spread after that. People now come up to us and say they've heard about our produce from their friends and they want to try it," says Thomas. Big sellers are beets and mixed greens. They grow around 50 different items without the use of pesticides or herbicides and also sell mixed flowers.

Bryce has studied plant science and is interested in soil biology and ecology and how they influence the health of plants. Both say they have had success using local compost and the regenerative method.

"I believe that it is possible to build soil and encourage its natural biology to sustain plants and improve the uptake of nutrients," says Bryce, adding he believes their new family business will be a long-term venture.

Regenerative agriculture is a system of farming principles and practices that increases biodiversity, enriches soils, improves watersheds, and enhances ecosystem services. By capturing carbon in soil and above-ground biomass, regenerative agriculture aims to reverse global climate change. At the same time, it offers increased yields, resilience to climate instability, and higher health and vitality for farming communities.

Learn more about Golden Creek Horticulture - aptly named as the farm overlooks the creek - on their website, Facebook and Instagram accounts or send them an email. The farm is located on New Dublin Road in Elizabethtown-Kitley Township.