Deep in the heart of Rosedale, BC, Rosedale Farm Fresh is an oasis of wholesome, honest farming. Located just off the beaten path, their farm stand has been delighting visitors since Willemijn and her husband, Ron, opened it in 2024. This week, I was graciously invited by Willemijn to come and learn about their quail, but our visit quickly evolved into a complete and delightful tour de farm.
When I arrive, we start by taking a stroll through her apple orchard. She explains that she began planting various species of apple trees about 5 years ago with the goal of expanding the farm’s offerings to include apples. Next, we pass the elderberry bushes where she shares that she sells the cuttings each year so people can grow their own plants. We continue through to the back of the orchard where towering echinacea plants sway in full bloom, their electric-pink flowers craning their faces to catch the sun. She takes a moment to teach me about the health benefits of echinacea before we head to the vegetable gardens. The vibrant vegetable gardens are jam-packed with flourishing plants of all kinds; tomatoes, sunflowers, various squash, zinnia flowers, garlic, oregano, and much, much more! It’s evident how much time and care she pours into these gardens as they’re bursting with colour and heaps of ripening produce!
For me, part of the fun of farm stand hopping is that you often get to see how the farm’s animals live day-to-day, and this is true of the happy chickens of Rosedale Farm Fresh. These lovely little ladies are clearly VERY well looked after. Not only do they enjoy a generous free-range swath of land right across from the stand with their own orchard of apple trees (providing shade on hot summer days and their own fresh apples to snack on), but Willemijn also grows two giant rows of oregano in her garden just for them and she supplements their diet with this aromatic herb and explains that she feeds fresh oregano to support her hens’ health naturally. Oregano for chickens isn’t just culinary flair, it’s chicken-care gold as they’re packed with compounds like carvacrol and thymol. Oregano has strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties, immune-boosting and gut-supportive benefits, and it also improves egg quality and enhances yolk color and shell strength when added to chickens’ diets. When you visit Rosedale Farm Fresh and sit on one of Ron’s handcrafted picnic tables next to the chicken pasture, don’t be surprised if a gaggle of these fine, feathered gals trots over to chat you up – it’s another testament to how well-cared-for they are; they definitely love people!
But Rosedale Farm Fresh is much more than just an egg stand, and though it’s easy to see how the chickens might steal the show with their funny little personalities and cartons of fresh eggs waiting for you in the farm stand, the quail (and their eggs!) are what’s “on the menu” today! Willemijn leads me to a beautiful barn where the quail are safely tucked away in their coop. Quail are generally a little more reserved than chickens can be – and these sweet little ladies are quieter, for sure, but certainly not less curious! I’d never met a quail before so I didn’t know what to expect, but these birds do not disappoint. They are utterly charming, and a few even poke their heads out of the coop as if to say “hi”. Though small, these brown-and-tan cuties are mighty producers! One quail hen can lay between 200 and 300 of their spectacularly-coloured speckled eggs every year. These eggs are both a visual and culinary treat, prized highly for their delicate taste and sunny yolks. In the kitchen, quail eggs are beloved by chefs for their rich flavour, tender texture, and stunning presentation. Their petite size makes them ideal for elegant appetizers, tapas, or garnishes. They’re often soft-boiled and served atop toast points, salads, or ramen bowls, where their creamy yolks add a touch of luxury. One popular preparation is Scotch quail eggs – a gourmet twist on the classic pub dish, where each tiny egg is wrapped in sausage, breaded, and fried to golden perfection. Another favourite? Pickled quail eggs, which are both tangy and protein-packed and as pretty in a jar as they are on a charcuterie board. Whether you’re preparing an elevated brunch or just want to add something a little special to your everyday meals, quail eggs offer big flavour in a tiny, beautiful package.
Willemijn herself is a passionate home cook, endlessly inspired by the bounty that grows just steps from her kitchen. Cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients isn’t just a routine, it’s a creative outlet that brings her joy. She loves experimenting with new flavours and cuisines, often letting the harvest guide what’s on the table. Just last week, she whipped up a beautiful Shakshuka – a vibrant Middle Eastern dish made with simmered tomatoes, garlic, peppers, and perfectly-poached eggs nestled right in the sauce. It’s one of her new favourite ways to showcase the farm’s eggs, combining bold flavours with the kind of nourishing comfort only a homemade meal can bring. Willemijn hopes that every item sold at Rosedale Farm Fresh inspires others to create in their own kitchens too, to try something new, cook with intention, and enjoy the beauty of wholesome, homegrown food.
Beyond eggs, the stand is stocked with all kinds of seasonal and local treasures to take home. You’ll find gorgeous vegetables fresh from the garden, with new varieties appearing throughout the growing season. Apples will be ready later this year, hand-picked from the very orchard we walked through earlier. The refrigerated vending machine holds more than just eggs – it’s also where you’ll find rich maple syrup, antioxidant-packed elderberry syrup, and specialty items like freeze-dried berries and beef jerky. There are even bags of locally-grown whole hazelnuts from just down the road, perfect for baking or snacking. In addition to the food, there are beautifully-crafted wooden planter boxes and outdoor decor available at the stand built by Ron himself. In fact, he made all the picnic tables for Farmhouse Brewery, and a few of his signature tables sit right next to the chicken pasture, inviting you to linger a little longer.
Spending the morning with Willemijn walking between tomato rows, meeting the quail, and nibbling fresh vegetables was truly uplifting. The farm buzzes with seasonal life, natural rhythms, and the warmth of a small family operation. Everywhere I looked, something was blooming, ripening, or reaching skyward. Willemijn and Ron are carving a lovely niche: offering high-quality eggs, wholesome produce, and locally-made treats all while building community, supporting heritage farming, and promoting healthy living. It’s clear that everything at Rosedale Farm Fresh is rooted in intention, from the oregano grown for the chickens to the handmade picnic tables crafted by Ron. With apples on the horizon, ever-changing produce, expanding value‑added goods, and handcrafted furniture available, Rosedale Farm Fresh is cultivating more than just crops; they’re cultivating relationships - with customers, the land, and each other.
At the heart of it all is Willemijn - a force of nature in her own right. Bursting with radiant energy and positivity, she’s a mother of five, a passionate farmer, and an incredibly knowledgeable resource. As we chatted and walked the fields, it became clear that she is overflowing with exciting ideas as well as insights about regenerative practices, mental and physical wellness, and how to build a more connected, grounded way of living. In addition to her work on the farm, Willemijn is currently pursuing a master’s degree in counselling. Her goal? To become a parent counsellor, helping families break free from counterproductive parenting patterns and build more intentional, emotionally-connected homes. It’s a natural extension of who she is: someone who cultivates growth, whether it’s in the garden or in the minds and hearts of the people she hopes to help.
Rosedale Farm Fresh may offer eggs, apples, and other delicious seasonal delights… but more than anything, it offers a glimpse of what’s possible when heart, knowledge, and purpose come together in one place. Whether you’re popping by for a dozen eggs, a bundle of tomatoes, or simply a breath of fresh farm air, one thing’s for sure: you’ll leave feeling nourished in more ways than one.
Before I left, Willemijn brought me over to one of her garden rows and showed me a trick I’d never seen before - how to gently reach into the soil and pull potatoes right off the roots without uprooting the whole plant. That way, it can keep growing and producing more. It’s not every day you get to dig in the garden with a new friend, and I couldn’t help but laugh with joy as we knelt in the dirt, searching for buried treasure! It was a perfect ending to a morning filled with sunshine, impeccable vibes, and wonderful company.
Thank you so very much, Willemijn, for inviting me and welcoming me into your world! I am honoured that I got to spend the morning on the farm with you- I learned so much from you and about Rosedale Farm Fresh!
Rosedale Farm Fresh's beautiful farm stand is open Monday to Saturday and closed on Sundays. They take cash or e-transfer for Ron’s handcrafted décor and goods within the stand and their refrigerated vending machine takes debit/credit cards. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook to stay in-the-loop about all their latest notices and farm stand offerings!
