PEIYF asked four of its members the following questions:
- Why do you want to farm?
- What do you feel are the challenges in farming today?
- What do you think needs to be done to improve the viability of farmers on Prince Edward Island?
- What are some of the positive things you feel are being done for agriculture on Prince Edward Island?
- What things are important to you to continue farming?
- What do you farm and how much of it?
(Their answers have been shortened somewhat.)
JEREMY STEAD, 27 year old beef producer from Wheatley River
Why do you want to farm?
I want to farm because it is in my blood. I am the 5th generation to farm this land and really I can’t picture myself doing anything else.
What do you feel are the challenges in farming today?
The major challenges I feel are price dictation from major corporations; a lack of public awareness of where quality, safe food comes from and the enrolment of new generations into agriculture.
What do you think needs to be done to improve the viability of farmers on Prince Edward Island?
In order for farmers to be viable in P.E.I we need support from our local government. Farmers also need to become more cost comparative in order to survive in today’s global market.
What are some of the positive things you feel are being done for agriculture on Prince Edward Island?
Buy Local has really caught the consumers’ eye; ALUS program is giving financial help for farmers to retire environmentally sensitive land; interest free loans are offered through the federation.
What things are important to you to continue farming?
For me to continue farming, all I want is a fair price and to be able to watch my children grow in a healthy environment.
PATRICK DUNPHY, 25 year old grain farmer from Cherry Valley
Why do you want to farm?
Some people want to farm for the sake of tradition, I want to farm because I have fun doing it. When it’s no longer fun, I think I’ll pack it in.
What do you feel are the challenges in farming today?
The NAFTA agreement is definitely a challenge. The belief that producers from different nations are going to produce the same product for the same cost is fiction. Provincially, the ever present “fight” between the farmers and the Dept. of Environment seems to escalate each year.
What do you think needs to be done to improve the viability of farmers on Prince Edward Island?
Most of the serious issues we are facing would fall under federal jurisdiction like labeling laws, imported food that doesn’t meet Canadian standards and the fight against COOL. Smaller issues include the consolidation of our two agricultural organizations, burning marked fuel in farm trucks, and the introduction of a harmonized sales tax.
What are some of the positive things you feel are being done for agriculture on Prince Edward Island?
We are seeing continued government support for a handful of both new and not so new agricultural processing companies. We see the continued investment in our provincial grain elevators.
What things are important to you to continue farming?
The continuation of the future farmer program is a must. With so little resources available to young people who want to begin farming, the program offers a bit of help and guidance.
What do you farm and how much of it?
150 acres of soybeans
MARK VERLEUN, 22 year old farmer from Montague
Why do you want to farm?
I want to farm because I believe there will be some exciting and profitable years in a dynamic agricultural industry ahead. I think PEI’s natural resources of clean water, soil, and a moderate climate makes it an attractive place to farm.
What do you feel are the challenges in farming today?
I think the major challenge in farming today is farm income. Getting more dollars to the farmer rather than actual production is the current challenge.
What do you think needs to be done to improve the viability of farmers on Prince Edward Island?
Island farmers will have to find a way to achieve at least 10-15% above the Chicago Mercantile Exchange if they want to stay in business.
What are some of the positive things you feel are being done for agriculture on Prince Edward Island?
Cavendish Farms pursuing new products at Holland College; exporting Kobe beef; IP contracts for soybeans; research in organic crop production; exporting gilts and beef cattle to Russia, Nature’s Crops new facility; the local food movement, and the farm apprenticeship program.
What things are important to you to continue farming?
I do not want to be recognized by consumers as someone responsible to fish kills or soil erosion. I want to be a respected member of the Island business community able to stand independently on my own two feet.
What do you farm and how much of it?
We have a beef feedlot with a 100 head capacity and own 75 hooks at Atlantic Beef Products. We have a 50 sow farrow-finish operation, and farm 300 acres of field crops.
TRAVIS DYKERMAN, vegetable farmer from Brookfield
Why do you want to farm?
I farm because I enjoy the work. Agriculture has been a part of my family for generations.
What do you feel are the challenges in farming today?
Undoubtedly it is the input costs today that are the biggest challenge for any type of farm. Fuel, feed, fertilizer, and chemical costs are constantly creeping up and reducing profit margins for all farmers. In my opinion farmers on Prince Edward Island need to be open to new market opportunities.
What do you think needs to be done to improve the viability of farmers on Prince Edward Island?
In my opinion farmers on Prince Edward Island need to be open to new market opportunities. Processors and retailers need to adequately compensate farmers for the product they produce.
What are some of the positive things you feel are being done for agriculture on Prince Edward Island?
I believe the presence of Nature’s Crop International is going to create new markets for many Island farms and potentially provide new crops to be added into crop rotations. Diversification is also becoming increasingly apparent in the province.
What things are important to you to continue farming?
To continue farming, the bottom line is I will need to receive adequate and fair compensation for the products I produce.
What do you farm and how much of it?
At Brookfield Gardens we farm 180 acres of carrots; 30 acres of lettuce; 25 acres of cabbage; 20 acres of turnip; 15 acres of parsnip; 15 acres of broccoli; 15 acres of cauliflower; 5 acres of cucumbers and 100 acres of wheat.
