Laura Leigh Organic Farms

For Laura and Robert Robinson, the decision to farm organically has emerged out of their commitment to family unity; environmental and human health; and the recognition that mutual relationships between human beings, animals, and the land can be an invaluable tool in the spiritual and moral education of their family and community. In 2002, the couple, originally from Ontario, moved to Prince Edward Island and purchased a one hundred and forty nine acre dairy farm in the lush green, gently sloping landscape of the Pisquid Watershed. They have since started leasing an additional 99 acres nearby. Over time the farm has slowly shifted out of dairy and diversified into a mixed eco-farm.

Laura and Robert come from different backgrounds. When they first met, Laura was a stay at home mother, and Robert ran a family dairy farm. Both had lost their spouses to cancer – an experience that was pivotal in their decision to become certified organic in 2007. The couple married in 2001, the union bringing together nine children from their previous marriages. Four more children have joined the family since. In 2003, the Robinsons moved to Prince Edward Island in order to build a home in which they could raise their children in an environment that provided opportunities to interact with the natural world in a healthy, safe, and closely knit rural community.

Today the Robinson’s family farm operation is a reflection of the philosophy that every element on the farm is part of a network of mutually supportive relationships. The family has rabbits, poultry, pigs, lambs, goats, cows, and a Belgian horse. In addition to supplying meat and eggs, the livestock also provides land management services: the chickens scratch up insects that could be harmful to the field crops; goats and pigs clean up brush and unwanted weeds; once the Robinsons have acquired the skills to do it, the Belgian horse will be used to sustainably harvest firewood from the family’s woodlot; and all the livestock provides animal manure that enriches the pasture land, and can be used on the field crops after having undergone an ageing process.

The family has a market garden that supplies fresh, tasty vegetables to local restaurants and farmers’ markets. In 2008, Laura and Robert planted raspberries, blackcurrants and high bush blueberries that they plan on using in the production of fruit vinegars and locally made preserves. They are considering starting a U-pick operation for visitors interested in harvesting their own fruit. Their strong commitment to self-sufficiency and low-input farming is also evident in the fact that the Robinsons grow the certified organic feed and hay that they need for their livestock.

Another important feature of the holistic vision that Laura Leigh Organic Farms seeks to embody is the value of the farm as an educational and therapeutic tool. Laura and Robert’s thirteen children are all actively involved with caring for one of the farm animals – a service that not only contributes to the overall success of the operation, but also teaches them essential life lessons about the cyclical nature of birth, life and death; the importance of patience; and perseverance and ingenuity in the face of challenges. All of the Robinson children are home schooled, a choice which Laura feels has provided them with a tremendous wealth of life skills. The Robinsons’ desire to use their farm as an educational tool is not limited to their own family. During the summer months they conduct farm tours for visitors interested in learning more about where their food comes from, and how it is raised. They are currently in the process of developing a home for girls that need somewhere to go to develop the life skills necessary to lead successful, happy lives. Although they currently have plenty of assistants within their own family, the Robinsons also would like to help provide more rural employment opportunities for young people on the island. Laura says: “There is a great deal of heritage that is being lost. The farm is not only a tremendous teaching tool – it is also a way of preserving the traditional island farming heritage into the future.”

Laura Leigh Organic Farms is trying to demonstrate that the small, mixed farm model can both invigorate rural communities and be environmentally and economically successful. It is a place where young people can experience the intimacy of personally interacting with farm animals; watch their food grow and be harvested; and learn that farming, if done creatively, can be a fulfilling and enjoyable profession. As Laura says:

We want to show that large-scale monoculture farming may not be the best choice for the island; a smaller scale mixed operation allows us to work in closer partnership with the animals and the land, so that we can nurture the full potential of the animals and the plants. This increase in attention is reflected in the products. Smaller scale translates to higher quality.

For those who are sceptical, Laura and Robert extend an open invitation come experience their family farm first-hand. It is open for tours throughout the summer months. They guarantee that an afternoon spent in the green pastures; picking sweet, juicy berries; petting the lambs and cows, and feeding the chickens will have you hooked. In fact, you may very well end up moving to the island, and taking up organic farming yourself!