Annapolis organic farmers

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ANNAPOLIS ORGANIC FARMER’S CO-OP

by Craig Medicraft

The spring of 1996 saw a nucleus of organic farmers take their first step in forming a co-op in the western end of Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. This first small group was a mixrure of farmers, environmentalists and social activists who wanted to grow good safe food at a reasonable cost to consumers and show the large farms it could be done - sort of a Robin Hood meets Hee Haw group. There were five small organic farmer/growers in this original mixture, with most of the members located within a half-hour drive of Annapolis Royal. An added bonus was that over half the original group were new to Nova Scotia, fresh with energy, enthusiasm and ideas for organic growing from different parts of Canada.Annapolis Organic Farmers' Co-op

by Craig Medicraft

It didn’t take long to flesh out a list of goals for the new co-op. The first was a commitment to grow and sell organic fruit and vegetables. The only disagreement was on the issue of certified organic versus non-certified organic produce. No consensus was found at that time.

Marketing our farm products both locally and in the city of Halifax was the second goal decided on. Most of us had visions of beautiful, bountiful crops and overflowing baskets and bins. A grateful public lining the streets outside the stores that we delivered to rounded out this dream. Reality was to show us that marketing is hard work and it takes time to build a clientele.

Part of the bountiful vision had a large, bright, warm sun shining above us. Unfortunately, this celestial body was to leave Nova Scotia off most of its 1996 summer itinerary. The planting schedules, with staggered planting and such, went out the window for many of us, to be replaced with mad dashes out to the field with the idea of planting – throwing, really – as much into the soil as possible before the skies closed over again. The cold spring and cool summer left the co-op members lacking the volume needed to crack open the doors of the larger chain grocery stores. Instead, we counted on farm gate sales and the different farm markets we each cover to move the rewards of our labor. One member’s CSA (community shared agriculture project) helped with buying up a good portion of the excess fruit and vegetables.

The co-op flew the organic flag at the Annapolis Valley Exhibition in Lawrencetown as part of our marketing efforts. Two tables were set up for the duration of the exhibition. One of these was used to show pictures of Nova Scotia organic farmers and educate the public about the arguments for organic food and practices in comparison to conventional farming. We sold books on organic growing and distributed a fair amount of free literature, including about 50 back issues of COGNITION. The second table was used to sell organic items such as bread, pasta and cookies. We found it difficult to sell food items to a crowd that was more interested in cotton candy, hot dogs and traditional fair fare. Nevertheless, since all co-op members took turns working the display and tables, many people were introduced to both the growers and their farms for the first time, making the work a small success.

In August a couple of co-op members also displayed organic produce and gave out co-op flyers at a small business show in Cornwallis. This show was felt to be more of a success in generating interest in the co-op.

The third major goal for the co-op is supporting each other as small-scale growers. This support includes agreeing on prices, so there is no undercutting, as well as helping each other sell any excess. The major tool of support for co-op members is the work party: one afternoon a week we meet on a member’s farm to work on any task or project the farm owner asks. We rotate through the farms and the farm owner is responsible for having the work planned.

That many hands make light work was not the only benefit of these work parties. Co-op members could see first hand where each other’s farms might be struggling and this helped them realize they weren’t the only ones with major challenges – not in a ‘misery loves company’ kind of way, but rather a positive appreciation of ‘never say die’.

The Annapolis Organic Farmers' Co-op is now preparing for 1997. The decision has been made to sell only certified organic fruits and vegetables. Animal and egg products are to be free-range with the goal of selling only certified organic when sufficient organic feed grain is available. Work parties will be held every Tuesday afternoon starting mid-April.

The co-op had eight farm members at the end of February 97, with more expressing interest.

Doug Brown and Joy Elliot operate Oak Haven Farm in Belisle. They grow mixed vegetables, range poultry and eggs. Sustainable wood harvesting rounds out their farm. Doug is also president of the Nova Scotia Organic Growers' Association.

Hubert Junker owns Our Good Earth Organic Farm and Bakery and grows grain for his fresh-ground flours. He produces pasta, breads and other related foods. Range ducks and pigs are also raised on his farm above Middleton.

Patchwork Berry Farm is located north of Middleton as well. Joice and Ian Rennie grow berries, herbs and vegetables. They are expanding into grain this year.

Andrew and Margaret Macnamara own Newcombe Brook Farm in Bridgetown. They are raising range pigs and operate a sustainable forestry business, including a portable sawmill.

Jonathan Lee and Peyton Leavitt own Dead Dog Farm in Torbrook. They have a large dairy goat herd and grow mixed vegetables and strawberries. They work their farm and wood lot with horsepower only.

Roundhill is the home of Rupert Jannasch and Manon Bolliger. Manon has a homeopathy practice there while Rupert grows mixed vegetables and tends their goat herd.

Orchard View Farm in Tupperville is operated by Jim and Loretta Inglis. They are one of the largest certified organic fruit growers in Nova Scotia, growing many varieties of apples and pears. Their storage facilities have also been made available to other co-op members as space allows.

Down the road from the Inglis’s farm is Glory Farm run by Craig and Julie Medicraft. They grow mixed vegetables and garlic coupled with range poultry and pigs. Craig and Julie also have a small chicken hatchery offering a few of the heritage breeds.

In February, co-op members had already begun early transplants with visions of bountiful and beautiful crops just around the corner. Of course the sun is shining bright and warm in all our dreams!

Craig Medicraft, an organic grower from Nova Scotia, is President of the Annapolis Organic Farmers' Co-op.

For more information, phone (902) 665-4221 or fax (902) 665-5230

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