Our Process

Growing

Every plant at Old Ways Farm begins from seed, planted by hand in our garden or greenhouse. We never use harmful sprays, and rely on sustainable practices that protect the soil and pollinators. 

Infusing

We infuse our botanicals in oils to draw out their full benefits. Depending on the plant and oil, we choose either a gentle cold infusion that rests for 4–6 weeks or a slow warm infusion that steeps for at least 72 hours. Selecting the best method for each combination preserves delicate compounds, creating oils that carry the maximum scent, nutrients, and therapeutic properties to enhance our products.

Harvesting

Each flower is harvested by hand at its peak, when colour, scent, and potency are at their best. This careful timing means that every bloom contributes the maximum flavour, fragrance, and therapeutic value to our products, whether used fresh or dried.

Rendering

Our tallow comes from cows raised on our farm or nearby family farms. It’s slowly rendered and filtered to remove all impurities, producing a clean, white tallow with a soft, buttery scent that stays pure and stable. This meticulous process ensures our products have a smooth texture, long shelf life, and the wholesome quality that only locally sourced, carefully rendered tallow can provide. Our lard is always from our own pastured raised hogs.

Drying

When flowers aren’t used fresh, we dry them slowly, either air‑dried in our workshop or gently finished in our dehydrator. This method preserves the plant’s colour, shape, scent, and beneficial oils, ensuring they remain beautiful and potent for use in balms, soaps, and arrangements.

Packaging

Each item is labeled and hand-packaged with care, using minimal, eco-friendly materials. We wrap each piece thoughtfully, reducing waste while ensuring it arrives as beautiful and special as when it left our farm. This approach reflects our values: simplicity, sustainability, and attention to detail from start to finish.