2009 / 2008 / 2007 / 2006

Desert Lake Gardens - Frontenac County

(Left to right: Pat Dawson; Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Leona Dombrowsky)

Desert Lake Gardens is an oasis of abundance. Owners Pat and Rick Dawson have pioneered an innovative, vertically integrated operation that direct markets and delivers its own, farm-grown organic produce directly to customers via a website, through delivery and a retail shop. The farm offers a wide variety of organically grown vegetables, many of which are specialty items that appeal to a certain clientele and are difficult to find in mass markets. The Dawsons were early innovators in the local foods movement and have created an opportunity for consumers to enjoy a field-to-fork experience.