Farming returns to Minister’s Island - May. 06, 2010
Barb Rayner/Courier
Helping to bring farming back to Minister's Island are (from left) Gillian Philipupillai, Janet and Neville Delong with son Drew, John Beresford and his father James Beresford.
BY BARB RAYNER
barbrayn@nbnet.nb.ca
MINISTER’S ISLAND – Minister’s Island will come to life this summer as farming returns to the former home of Sir William Van Horne.
In Van Horne’s day there were heated greenhouses on the island where such things as mushrooms, exotic plants, peach trees and grape vines were grown while the livestock barn was home to a prize herd of Dutch belted cattle where workers prepared the milk and butter for his households.
Even when Van Horne was off the island and living in Montreal, fresh milk, butter, fruits and vegetables would be sent by rail from the end of the bar to be enjoyed the next morning.
While those greenhouses have long since fallen into decay, part of the structure has been covered in plastic and plants are once again being grown on the island.
Gerald McEachern, executive director of the Van Horne Estate on Minister’s Island, said farming has begun again on the island and there will shortly be 120 animals living there as well including goats, sheep, pigs with piglets, donkeys, llamas and some riding ponies.
Neville Delong and James Beresford, who are farmers who have worked in the past at King’s Landing, have been hired to work on the island this summer and they already have an expanse of ground by the greenhouses tilled ready for planting.
Delong’s family is staying in the gardener’s cottage (currently being renovated) while Beresford is in the garage apartment. Currently they also have a “woofer” (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) Gilliam Philipupillai from Toronto working with them and she is staying with the McEacherns.
After the VHEMI put out a request for proposals last year the two men submitted their ideas. Unfortunately, said McEachern, their proposal was turned down because it was cost prohibitive but they approached the organization later about working on the island for the summer and were
hired.
“We have hired two farmers for the summer and they volunteered to bring their animals over here. We are providing some assistance to ship the animals here and now they have the garden ploughed and are using the greenhouse.”
A big advantage for VHEMI, said McEachern, will be having the animals out in the fields as goats and sheep will trim back the alders and will also produce manure for the garden plus they will be a great attraction for visitors. The livestock barn will be used for goat milking.
St. Andrews residents Dr. Bill Imrie and his wife Terry are also planning on taking their two retired racehorses, currently being stabled in St. George, over to the island for the summer so they can be used for trail rides and they are also hoping to bring in a couple more racehorses at a later date.
McEachern said one of the farmers also has a six- to eight-passenger wagon so they may also be able to offer wagon rides on the island as well.
“It will be an interesting thing for visitors. This won’t be a petting zoo but a real farm. They will actually be raising the animals on the island and the ultimate goal is to have a branded line of organic foods – Van Horne Estate Farm goat cheese, organic vegetables, heirloom potatoes, garlic and chives.”
There will also be a community garden on the island by the gardener’s cottage on the ocean front and space will be available for season pass holders who will also be able to start their plants in the greenhouses.
“This is part of the benefits for season ticket holders. They have yearround access to the facility whereas day pass visitors do not. They are welcome to begin any time.”
Beresford, who is a native of Yorkshire, England, said they have already started plants in the greenhouse so people who are coming in for the community garden will be able to help themselves.
They have also rescued some of the rhubarb on the island, Beresford added.
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