Campbell’s Cross Farm bears fruit for local couple

Written By MARK PAVILONS

Campbell's Cross Farm has some pretty deep roots, both literally and figuratively.

The newly launched family farm has been a dream of Michael and Josie Gallo for many years. Life-long residents, the Gallos are both teachers, and their passion for living off the land led them to Campbell's Cross. The couple has transformed the historic Bailey's Farm Produce into a new iteration of the family farm.

Josie has fond memories of growing up in rural Caledon on a 57-acre farm with her two siblings and she envisioned the same experience for her two children, Giuliana 6 and Frank 4. Tav Schembri, Josie's father, made this dream a reality.

Bailey's was known for being a traditional family operation, and was the go-to locale for strawberry picking for decades. Run by Grant, Joane and their family, they served the community for more than 40 years.

The Gallos intend on keeping the concept alive, progressively spreading their wings on the 60-acre property on King Road. While they are both new to the agri-food business, Michael in particular has an extensive background in the culinary industry, working at several establishments including a two Michelin star restaurant in the UK. Moreover, as children Josie and Michael can vividly remember their Nonnos and Nonnas doing the farm-to-table concept well before it was a trend. Josie's Nonno Modestino was a master of the garden and had concepts that are used now for thousands of farms. Michael can remember watching his Nonno Giuseppe always working in the garden and enjoying the fruits of their labor. 

Michael is currently a co-op teacher at Robert F. Hall in Caledon East and was head of the culinary program at St. Michael Catholic Secondary School in Bolton for 7 years. Josie has been teaching for PDSB since 2009 and is currently teaching kindergarten part-time. She inherited her green thumb from her family. Michael refers to Josie as a “plant whisperer.” It's a pleasant coincidence that Josie's very first job was at the Bailey's Farm.

To say the Gallos took to farming like ducks to water is a bit of an understatement. They admit the work on the farm is hard and challenging, but it comes naturally, and has been quite calming, almost therapeutic. They have become keenly aware of what farmers face each and every day – hey're at the mercy of the weather.

But even when they're praying for rain, they're smiling.

The smiles around the dinner table at the Gallo household likely comes from the fact the kale salad and smoothies were grown, nurtured and harvested just steps from the back door.

The Gallos aren't alone in this journey. Their extended Gallo-Schembri family has come together to literally get their hands dirty in creating something beautiful. Tav's birthday was blissfully spent with his entire family planting 2,000 evergreens on the farm. It was a day they will all remember. 

With the help of Davis Feed in Caledon East, the Gallos have planted a large sunflower patch on one of the farm's rolling hills. These beautiful sunflower blooms should be ready to enjoy and experience by late August when the farm will open to the public for this special event. Check out @davisfeedfarmsupply to stayed tuned for their sunflower events and dates.

Campbell's Cross Farm has already harvested ramps (wild leeks) from their forest early spring, which have become hugely popular and supplied to local restaurants including The Globe, Hockley Valley, The North Restaurant and Gourmandissimo to name a few. Currently on tap, the farm is growing a variety of organic vegetables, sweet corn and pumpkins.

Admittedly, the farm is a “blank canvass” and that's the beauty of it. With the help of their family, the Gallos' mission is to work “with” nature to create a bio-diverse organic farm.  

The underlying intention is to promote healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle to families and youth through education.

As a former chef himself, Mike has always promoted the farm-to-table concept and encouraged his students to eat well. The farm hopes to raise money in the future for youth initiatives that promote healthy living and eating.

“Food starts with elements perfect and whole, and if you approach it with passion, gratitude, creativity and care, you can make something truly magical out of it,” according to “Gallo's credo.

Despite growing up in urban Caledon, Mike's connection to the earth runs deep, too. He was involved in the mission program at St. Mike's, where students visited the Dominican Republic each year, assisting with that community's needs. He recalls speaking to a local cocoa farmer about his passion. The man told him that it wasn't his land, but that it belonged to God, and God would decide what grows and what doesn't. His faith, and his crops, flourished. That, and the farmer's calmness being one with nature, planted the seed in Gallo's heart.

The Gallos have been inspiring students for years, through their professions. They're now being taken to school by Mother Nature herself. 

Watch for updates on the farm's 1st annual public sunflower event by following them on Instagram – @campbellscrossfarms or Facebook – Campbell's Cross Farm. The predicted event date is Saturday, Aug. 24. A portion of the proceeds will be going to local charities for youth and promoting healthy living for kids through education. Feel free to e-mail campbellscrossfarm@gmail.com for any private photo inquiries.