Agriculture Minister George Webster (left) presents the Gilbert R. Clements Award for Excellence in Environmental Farm Planning to Trent and Jodi Caseley of Spring Valley Farms. The presentation was made during the Excellence in Agriculture banquet sponsored by the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture.

Spring Valley Farms wins Clements award for sustainable agriculture

Spring Valley Farms, Blair & Trent Caseley, is the 2010 winner of the Gilbert R. Clements Award for Excellence in Environmental Farm Planning.

Spring Valley Farms is a family farm with a strong sense of purpose when it comes to environmental protection and the effect of their farming activities on the environment and natural resources around them. Blair & Trent have a long history of involvement in the agriculture community and have been pioneers in soil conservation, nutrient management and surface water protection.

They have dedicated time, land and financial resources to on farm research and have most recently established a close working relationship with a local watershed organization. This farm clearly sees the benefits both financially and socially of protecting soil and water resources on their farm and takes seriously their responsibility as stewards of the land.

The Gilbert R. Clements Award for Excellence in Environmental Farm Planning is an important award and a significant recognition of farms that take very seriously the effect of their activities on the environment around them. Farms that are recipients of this award are operations that have proven over time that environmental protection helps to ensure their sustainability and economic viability. These are also farms that are committed to their communities and which recognize their role there.

The award was initiated in 2001 by former Lieutenant Governor, Gilbert R. Clements, himself a former Provincial Minister of Environment who took seriously his portfolio and introduced conservation and environmental protection policies. His intent with this award was to recognize farms which clearly demonstrate that they are environmentally conscious, socially responsible and economically viable.

Trent is the third generation on the farm. He’s never done anything else nor has he ever wanted to. His father Blair, left the farm briefly in the 1970’s but returned in 1980. Hubert, Trent’s grandfather also spent his entire life – 84 years – on this same farm. It is from Hubert, both Blair and Trent maintain that they gained their respect for the land and water resources on their farm and their desire to learn and adapt to protect those valuable resources for future generations and for the community they live in.

They practice a minimum 3 year crop rotation with potatoes as their main cash crop. They are continually looking for and introducing alternative crops into their rotation – currently they grow flax, oats, soybeans, barley, alfalfa and wheat.

The citation notes the farm operators are true pioneers and innovators, always experimenting with new crops, new technologies, and new agronomic practices and always seeking information and constantly learning.

As well, the farm implemented and constructed soil conservation practices and structures 20 years ago, before it became the norm. They have and continue to experiment with new tillage practices.

“They are involved with several formal research bodies and regularly undertake on farm research trials investigating soil conservation, irrigation, nutrient management and pesticide reduction,” the citation notes. “Manure is a regular farm input and is considered both a nutrient source but more importantly a soil builder. They have reduced their N inputs as a result of their manure use and some nutrient management research done on the farm.”

Pesticide reduction is a goal long held by both Trent & Blair, they use IPM, crop scouts, GPS and newer less harmful products. They regularly open their farm to tours to showcase some of the research they are involved in.

Nominated by the Kensington North Watershed Association here are a few things that stand out about this farm for that organization:

Trent and Blair have been supporters of the local watershed group’s efforts to restore and maintain stream health and water quality.  They have often advised KNWSA on watershed matters that affect the agricultural community.  They recently allowed the watershed group to be involved in a farm bridge project on the Spring Valley Brook that has been a showcase for farmers and watershed groups.

Trent and Blair have been clear and frank when environmental legislation appears to be weak and only moderately helpful.  They have also shown support for initiatives that they believe are positive for the watershed and the agricultural community.  Their leadership on agri/environmental issues will be highly regarded in years to come.

In 2009, they have hosted a tour for local federal and provincial politicians along with the Kensington North Watersheds Association to demonstrate the effectiveness of these structures and to encourage governments to do more to promote the effective use of these structures. Blair & Trent are both members of the Kensington North Watershed Association.

Organic Co-op honours farmers of the year

Marc and Sally Bernard have been honoured as the “farmers of the Year” by the P.E.I. Certified Organic Producers Co-operative.

Nestled in what Marc likes to call “buckle of the potato belt” in Freetown, the couple has converted a conventional potato farm into an organic grain and livestock operation that goes by the corporate name of Barnyard Organics.

Mark and Sally both knew they wanted to make their living by farming. They both grew up on a farm (he in Lower Freetown, she in New Brunswick), and when they met while studying at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.

They decided to pursue opportunities outside of conventional agriculture, and quickly settled on organics, which had been of longstanding interest to both of them. “We both knew that although conventional farming was working for a lot of people, it wasn’t working for even more and we wanted to try something different,” explains Mark.

The production of organic grains and oilseeds continues to be the main focus of the 550 acre farm but Sally brought with her to PEI a love for raising livestock and took the opportunity to diversify the farm further.  The farm produces certified organic grain, soybeans, hay, chicken, and eggs.  While grains are the focus of the farm, their farm specialty is without a doubt Sally’s fresh lamb from her flock of 25 Polled Dorset ewes.

The sheep are all pasture raised and as young lambs receive a diet of organic oats and soybean to produce a flavorful lamb product that is certified organic.  The couple takes great pride in the fact that they grow all of their own feed, so they know exactly where everything comes from.

Mark’s parents still live on the farm and his father, a former potato farmer, is a great help.  Though he had struggled with the idea of organics at first, Mark’s father has come around over the years.  “I used to do that as a kid,” he says while learning about new organic methods.

“It seems to me,” says Mark, “that I’m starting to farm more and more like my grandfather did, which generally seems more sustainable and more viable.”

The young couple is bound to have an exciting farming career on the Island; while they are successfully revitalizing their little corner in Freetown, their efforts extend beyond.  They are both active volunteers in the organic and farming community; Mark is involved with the Certified Organic Producer’s Co-op, and both are active members of Young Farmers of PEI.