Bighill Farms

Garry Renkema farms 300 acres of fertile farmland in the lush rolling hills of the Hunter River watershed in eastern Queens County. Born in Holland, Garry worked on many farms over the years, as well as assisting his uncle run a custom farm equipment business. In 1987, he and his wife Gwen decided to emigrate to Prince Edward Island, and pursue their dream of establishing their own farm. Garry worked on a number of local potato farms for seven years, and in 1994 he and Gwen purchased a 140 acre pig and grain farm located on the crest of a hill in Hunter River, with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

Over the past 15 years Garry and Gwen, with help from their two daughters and son, have been expanding and diversifying their farm. Today the family farms their own land, and rents an additional 180 acres in the surrounding area. They grow feed for their livestock; milling wheat; soybeans; non-GMO canola; and for the past three years have been raising turkeys and chickens. In the last few years the Renkemas have also planted three acres of strawberries, ten acres of blackcurrants, and one acre of elderberries. They also grow a few hundred Swiss and Korean pine trees for the Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture. Although Garry’s background is in conventional farming, his strong commitment to maintain healthy, financially successful farms on the Island, and belief that farmers should act as stewards of the land has led him to investigate, and begin gradually transitioning his land into organic production. He has started planting green manure crops of buckwheat and winter rye, and using aged turkey manure to enrich his soil. The Renkema’s currently operate a U-pick on their farm, as well as selling berries from a roadside stand. Once they receive their organic certification, they plan on selling their berries to be made into organic preserves for regional and international markets.

Ten acres of the Renkema’s farm is wetland and forestland. The farm is bordered by a woodlot at the back of the property through which runs a stream. Tall stands of pines along both sides provide a natural buffer from surrounding farms and help to reduce erosion. In addition to helping Garry with the administration of the farm, Gwen has a great love for gardening, and evidence of her green fingers is visible all around their rustic, century old farmhouse, fringed by splashes of brightly coloured annual and perennial flower beds.

Garry cannot imagine himself being anything other than a farmer. Not only does he love the constant interaction with the natural world, and being able to watch the progression of the seasons across the land, but he also enjoys interacting with customers.

He says:

I take great pride in knowing that my customers feel that something I grew looks and tastes good. I also like to see my fields planted and nice and clean. It is very rewarding work.

The Renkemas plan on using the next few years as a learning period. They acknowledge that there is a lot they need to learn about organic farming, but think that by gradually increasing the acreage that they are farming organically rather than trying to make the switch overnight, their understanding of the process will keep pace with the development of their business, and ensure the long-term sustainability of their farm. For now their goals are simple:

We are going to try to use the best resources to keep this land healthy. Living things are, in the end, more important than our wallet. But hopefully if we are doing something good for the land, there will be financial benefits as well that will help us to keep farming. We want to continue to see this land farmed. Now, and in the future.