Awn [“on”]

noun – Botany.

1. a bristlelike appendage of a plant, especially on the glumes of cereal and other grasses.
2. such appendages collectively, as those forming the beard of wheat, barley, etc.

I first heard the word ‘Awn’ standing in a research plot of wheat and barley at The University of Alberta farm. The word is beautiful – simple and solid and connected to one of my favourite ingredients that is so close to Alberta.

From the first few conversations of rebranding, the word ‘Awn’ kept coming up. But what does it mean, will people know? Food starts in the field, it starts long before it hits our plate, it starts long before that ingredient makes it into our kitchen. Wheat was the first ingredient to connect me to the farmer. It was the first ingredient that started me on the journey of wanting and needing to know more. I love Alberta, I love what it has to offer – from the communities’ desire to welcome new businesses, to the sense of collaboration between small business owners, to the willingness of farmers to share their stories and knowledge, to the bright blue skies. Is there anything more beautiful than a wheat field at the peak of the summer season with bright blue prairie skies and green wheat dancing below? Perhaps there is one thing – that same blue sky in autumn, when the light has changed a little and the crop is now ripe and ready for harvest. The word ‘awn’ connects my business so beautifully to Alberta – to agriculture.