Le Rizen, a niche farm located in Frelighsburg that is focused on producing organic Asian vegetables, is holding an open house over Labor Day weekend. The open house is an opportunity for the public to discover the farm, to discover a diverse selection of Asian vegetables and other products, to test them out, and to learn how to incorporate them in every day cooking. 

Since 2016, owner of Le Rizen Stéphanie Wang has been working hard to introduce the region to produce that is rare to come across in Quebec. Her hope is that other farmers will begin to discover the potential of incorporating Asian vegetables in their own agricultural production. 

“I discovered that I wanted to have an impact on the world and I found that agricultural was a meaningful way for me to do it in terms of feeding people, in terms of taking care of the soil,” said Wang. “Of course, growing Asian vegetables came to me as a logical project for me to reconnect with my culture, while at the same time discovering new vegetables.”

After growing up in Montreal, Wang began doing different internships on farms, including Les Jardins de la Grelinette in Saint-Armand, which is how she found herself in the area.

“When I moved to Frelighsburg there was a farm, there was a guy, (…) who really believed in growing asian vegetable here in Quebec because of their potential to extend the season because a lot of the greens they can tolerate cold weather,” explained Wang. “(…) He was seeking someone to grow Asian vegetables and I had the project in mind.” 

She officially launched Le Rizen in 2016 and it has been growing ever since. Wang explained that the major differences in growing organic Asian vegetables is the harvesting process and the educational aspect of introducing new produce into people’s daily diet. 

“The techniques are similar to growing any type of vegetables, the difference is mostly in some harvesting techniques or stage of harvesting and just to know how to harvest it, how to preserve it, and how to cook it,” she said. “You need to know it so that you can tell the customers how they will be able to eat it and enjoy it. A lot of our work also involves bringing people to cook these vegetables.”

Wang noted that the educational aspect is something she has been focusing on with Le Rizen. 

“I wrote a book with my two sisters on growing and cooking asian vegetables and our family story through this,” said Wang. “(…) I’m also working a new website that showcases the different vegetables and products that we made, recipes, and ways to enjoy them.”

Contributing something different to the agricultural sector of the Eastern Townships, Le Rizen will be holding an open house on Sept. 4 to open up the farm to the local community. 

“Early September is the perfect time of the year to come visit the farm because it’s in full bloom and we have all of the vegetables right now,” said Wang. “(…) The plan is to visit the garden, show and make people taste some of these vegetables, and after we will have a tasting session so people can taste all of products, kimchis, sauces, it’s going to be really fun.”

For more information about Le Rizen, visit the Facebook page. To reserve your spot for the open house, fill out the Google form. 

Listen to the full interview below: