MacRae Family Farm

Stewart and Rita MacRae farm 400 acres of gently sloping farmland in the community of Ebenezer, on the Wheatley River watershed in central Queen’s county. Born and raised on the land that he currently farms, Stewart enjoys the feeling of carrying on a tradition that has been in his family since his first ancestor emigrated from Scotland and established the 165 acre farm, in 1831. Stewart grew up helping his father to run a mixed dairy farm, with a number of pigs and some poultry. The family also grew feed, and had a small vegetable garden to supply fresh vegetables for their own consumption.

Today, the MacRae’s homestead includes a woodlot at the back of the land from which the family harvests firewood. The Wheatley River meanders across the farm, and the tall stands of trees are loud with birdcall. Foxes, coyotes, and Stewart’s main foe, the racoons, have all made the farm their home. The beautifully restored turn of the century farmhouse is skirted by a shady, wooden porch, and carefully tended flower beds burst with colour and fragrance in the cool breeze.

Over the years, the MacRaes have expanded and diversified their farming operation, purchasing an adjoining 95 acre plot, and renting an additional 200 acres. Originally a farming community with 35 active farmers, today Ebenezer has seven farmers, only two of which do not have off-farm employment, and only one with a younger family member intending to continue running the business. As Stewart says:

There have been a lot of changes in the last forty-five years. Many of the previously small farms have been purchased by larger operations located in other communities, to grow potatoes, carrots, canola and soybeans.

Recognizing the need to find a new approach to farming if they were going to continue operating a successful farm, the MacRaes reduced their beef cattle herd to sixty-five, and, in 2007, began gradually transitioning their land into organic production. In 2007, the first sixty acres was certified, and the remainder will be certified by 2011. They currently grow organic soybeans, oats, barley, winter wheat, and plan on planting some crambe this year. Stewart is careful to plant grass waterways in low-lying areas to reduce erosion; uses aged animal manure from his cattle to improve soil fertility; plants winter wheat, and encourages volunteer crops to establish themselves for ground cover after he cultivates in the fall. He also uses mussel shells harvested from Island rivers and bays to improve soil fertility, when they are available. Growing organically is still a relatively new experience for the MacRaes, but every year brings a deeper understanding and appreciation for the art of working with, rather than against, the local environment.

Stewart thoroughly enjoys farming, and has never thought of doing anything else with his life. As he says:

I like to keep active, and being able to set my own schedule. I like to be able to hear the birds and see the activities of nature all around me as I work. I also like the idea of keeping the farming tradition going on the Island. The idea that I may be the last farmer in my family troubles me quite a bit.

Although Stewart admits that he would probably never have imagined himself as an organic farmer a few years ago, he sees many opportunities within the organic market, and is confident that if he is dedicated to growing high quality organic soybeans and grains, that market demand will only increase. His primary interest in organic production was due to what he saw as encouraging market potential, however now that he is growing organically, he is also beginning to reflect about the positive health benefits of growing without synthetic chemical inputs.

The MacRaes plan on expanding their organic production, with the intention of continuing to sell regionally as well as branching out into the Japanese market. They know that the learning curve ahead may be steep, but feel that if it enables them to continue making a living farming their land, providing high value, healthy crops to the market, and preserving the beauty and integrity of the farmland that characterizes Prince Edward Island’s countryside, that all the effort will be well worth it!