Written by Olivia Avotins
In a world of mass production and quantity over quality, where scale often trumps substance, businesses built on genuine passion, hard work, and time have become a rarity. We browse aisles and sift through stacks of "affordable" goods, assembled with synthetic materials and an alarming brevity of effort. What’s missing is the enduring craftsmanship that infuses pieces with memory, meaning, and the experience of living. This craftsmanship stems from devotion and time. It stems from joy produced not only for us but for others, and from the mantra that “I would do this even if nobody would buy it.” It is a hunger to pursue something we are passionate about rather than to just add to some bank account. To create for the sake of creation, and to create as the result of a love for something bigger than ourselves. These businesses still exist, and it is vital that we shine a spotlight on them to allow true passion projects to thrive, and for these quality goods to be appreciated as they were intended to be.
Tucked away in the countryside of Branchton, Ontario, just south of Highway 8 between Cambridge and Hamilton, Rampart Farm & Wool Mill is a small, independently run operation where agriculture and textile artistry meet. The 25-acre self-described hobby farm is home to a variety of animals, mainly Bluefaced Leicester sheep, along with goats, chickens, calves, dogs, and even a parrot. Specializing in natural farming and wool processing, the mill has become a reliable source of high-quality, locally produced wool goods.
The farm’s story begins with Lidija, who, after spending nearly 30 years as a registered nurse working in the operating room, decided to transition to a completely different lifestyle in her retirement. Although she found great fulfillment in her nursing career and initially planned to continue working after buying her land, the peace and beauty of the countryside quickly pulled her in another direction. In speaking with Lidija, she stated that she “did not plan to have a farm or anything; the plan was just to move out of the city for peace and quiet. Actually, I was still working from the farm, and then I decided it's just too beautiful to spend any time away from.” She felt inspired by the land, as it evoked memories of her childhood. She says, “I remember from my childhood, my grandparents had a farm, back home in Slovenia, where I’m from, and I spent every summer vacation there, and those were my best memories. So, once we got this land, I quickly tried to recreate some of those memories.” These memories, combined with a love for knitting that began at the age of ten, resulted in the creation of her company, a dream that spent a lifetime growing until it finally gave birth to Rampart Farm & Wool Mill.
What began as a love for knitting soon transformed into a full-fledged passion for farming. In the on-site mill, Lidija processes her own wool into rovings and batts while also offering custom services to other fibre producers. After teaching herself to spin yarn, she became an active member of the local Spinners & Weavers Guild, where she now shares her original knitting designs and continues to explore the creative potential of wool.
Lidija’s handmade products can be found in her Little Wool Shop, both on-site and online, featuring a variety of standard pieces and made-to-order goods. These products are sourced from both Rampart Farm & Wool Mill and other local businesses. Lidija runs the farm entirely independently, being the sole creator of all products. She sells her own hand-spun yarn and constantly creates new products, not only to provide for her consumers but also to maintain her creative edge. She says she finds the greatest satisfaction in finishing a sweater, and even more joy in seeing it worn, loved, and brought to life. At Rampart Farm & Wool Mill, you get what you pay for: quality, hand-crafted goods made from a lifetime of practice. Lidija states, “If I sell, I feel it has to be a price that will appreciate it. I want people to know what is in it, and the uniqueness of it, because there is no way you can get a sweater like that anywhere else."
Hand-crafted products, like those created by Lidija, must come at a price that reflects the effort and quality put into them. In today’s economy, it can be challenging to afford such products, but it is essential to consider this when making investment decisions. Quality products last longer. Though they may come with a larger price tag, that price is reflective of the use you will get out of them. A factory-made, trendy sweater will not only fail to last, but it will also lack its own unique story.
Our clothes adorn every memory of our lives. The blue dress worn to your daughter’s graduation. The threadbare flats from your first job interview. That random T-shirt, and skirt, and blouse that were there for all those seemingly insignificant moments that have been the very foundation of your life. Our clothes are companions to our lives. They comfort, protect, and witness us. And when the sweater no longer fits, someone else can appreciate it and add their stories to the carefully knit bonds of its structure.
“Wool is not sensitive. It doesn’t get dirty as fast. It's healthier. It breathes. It lasts longer. Some synthetic stuff you have to wash with every wear. You don’t have to do that with wool.” Our clothes breathe with us, so we should choose clothes that have earned this honour and have been made to appreciate it: clothes that will give back the love that we give to them.
At Rampart Farm & Wool Mill, it isn’t simply about what you choose to wear, it’s about how you choose to live. In addition to her business, Lidija tends a large garden and cares for her animals, making her own cheese and food, striving to produce as much as she can herself and relying little on the outside world. It’s a peaceful, secluded life on the farm, one she invites others into through her thoughtful designs and handmade products. Rampart Farm & Wool Mill is truly a labour of love, and a reflection of the life within it. It’s not just a sweater or a skein of yarn, but an entire story, delicately woven to offer a beautiful vision of what life can be. A product of passion and persistence, made to be seen, worn, and cherished. Made to become part of your memories.