Who We Are

TapRoot Farms is able to grow food because of the many hands who come each year to turn the soil, plant the seeds, weed the fields, harvest the crops and prepare the crops for sale and delivery. Caring for our earth is our priority.

Josh Oulton & Patricia Bishop

Josh Oulton grew up in Windsor, Nova Scotia working alongside his Oulton and Cunningham Grandfathers on their farms. At a very early age Josh knew he would be a farmer. He started working part-time in his teenage years on a local dairy farm and continued his work on dairy farms until after graduating college. Josh attended the Nova Scotia Agriculture College in Truro, now called Dalhousie Agriculture. After many fun filled life and work adventures Josh found the farm.

Patricia Bishop grew up in Greenwich, Nova Scotia living and working on her families multigenerational farm, Noggins Corner Farm. Patricia had no idea what she wanted to do exactly but a focus on the environment was important to her. She worked on the family farm throughout her youth. She attended the Nova Scotia Agriculture College in Truro completing a Bachelor of science degree in environmental biology. She then completed her Bachelor of Education at Acadia University. After a few life and work adventures Patricia joined Josh on what began their farming life journey.

Our Early Years Time Line

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1996

Josh and Trish met at NSAC (true love from day one)

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2000

Josh and Trish got married (easy to remember how many years we’ve been married)

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2002

First child is born (Izaak)

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2004

Purchased 451 Canard Street at first called ‘Josh’s Farm’ 144 acres (no home so living with Patricia’s sister)

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2005

Second child is born (Lily)

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2007

Third child is born (Frank)

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2008

Host a farm naming parting, no name works for us. We have an ‘ah ha’ moment and decide on TapRoot Farms after Josh returns from a soil health conference where the role of the taproot is spoken of frequently.

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2009

Launch the CSA (Community Shared Agriculture). April is our first delivery.

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2011

Create TapRoot Farms Inc. No more “Josh’s farm”. We begin slowly and carefully transitioning all of our farm to certified organic production.

Deeply appreciating food, people and planet.

Over the years Josh and Patricia have been involved in many associations and activities that work to support their learning and the farms evolution including: Kings County Federation of Agriculture, Farm Land Trust, Nova Scotia Agriculture Land Review, Municipal Councillor, ACORN, Horticulture NS, Farmers Helping Farmers, Nuffield Canada.

Our farm has welcomed many people who have all shaped TapRoot Farms. Our farm employs people who live in Nova Scotia, people who come here to work from Newfoundland and people who come here to work from Jamaica.

Our Values

Adaptability
Dependability
Integrity
Love
Respect
Stewardship
Transparency
Trust
Vulnerability

What We Grow

We grow a wide range of vegetables, fruit, raise animals for meat and fibre.

Apples, Gala
Apples, Honeycrisp
Apples, Jonagold
Apples, Spy
Apples, Jersey MacIntosh
Apples, Ginger Gold
Apples, MacIntosh
Apples, Paula Red
Apples, a few trees of other varieties
Arugula
Asparagus
Basil
Blueberries
Beans, Yellow
Beans, Green
Beets, Golden
Beets, Red
Beets, Chiggogia
Beet Greens
Broccoli

Bok Choy
Brussels Sprouts
Cababge, Red
Cabbage, Green
Cabbage, Napa
Cabbage, Savoy
Cabbage, Murdock
Celeriac
Chives
Cherries, Sweet
Carrots
Cucumbers
Cilantro
Corn
Dandelion Greens
Egg Plant
Garlic, Scapes
Garlic, Bulbs
Garlic, Chives
Fennel
Jerusalem Artichokes
Kohlrabi

Kale, Black
Kale, Green Curly
Lovage
Leeks
Lettuce, Green Leaf
Lettuce, Red Leaf
Lettuce, Romaine
Lettuce, Mixed
Onions, Red
Onions, Yellow
Onions, Green
Potatoes, Yellow
Potatoes, Red
Potatoes, Fingerlings
Potatoes, Russet
Potatoes, White
Peppers
Peas, Snap
Peas, Regular Pod
Radish, Watermelon
Radish, Spanish Black
Radish

Rhubarb
Sprouts, Alfalfa
Sprouts, Broccoli
Shoots, Pea
Shoots, Sunflower
Shoots, Radish
Swiss Chard
Spinach
Strawberries
Squash, Acorn
Squash, Butternut
Squash, Buttercup
Squash, Ambercup
Squash, Sweet dumpling
Turnip
Turnip, Greens
Tomatoes, Field
Tomatoes, Grape
Tomatoes, Roma
Zucchini, Green

Pork
Chicken
Goat
Beef

Winter Wheat
Rye
Barley
Alfafa

Flax Fibre
Wool Fibre

Our Food Locations

Noggins Greenwich
Noggins Sante Centre
Noggins on Coburg Road
O’BEES Food Market

Noggins at Farmers Markets
Halifax Forum
Seaport

Our family farm has four retail outlets. They have been very supportive of TapRoot and of many other local Nova Scotia farmers in their stores.

Other Retail Outlets

Organic Earth Market

Local Source

Pete’s Halifax and Bedford Locations

Luminate Co.

Sobey’s when they order (ask at Sobey’s stores for TapRoot veggies)

We also have a seasonal farm stand open 7 days a week from 8 – 8 Seasonally at the farm: 1736 Church Street, Port Williams
Directions to TapRoot Farms

Wholesale

If you would like to make weekly orders for your restaurant or local business, we offer a wholesale price list for customers who are interested in becoming regular customers. Melissa and the team at Noggins/Kings Produce carry our full list of organic products looking after the orders and delivery. To receive our weekly wholesale price list please contact us.