Nature's Bounty Farm

Joyce and Mike Kelly’s organic farm is located in the community of Dromore, in eastern Prince Edward Island. Surrounded by expansive forest, and a patchwork of furrowed agricultural fields, the couple are continuing a way of life that has been in their families for generations. Mike grew up farming the land on which he and Joyce are growing today. After attending agricultural college, he returned to the island, where he worked on local dairy and potato farms, and eventually got hired on by a hog farm, where he still works today. Joyce grew up working on her family’s mixed dairy and seed potato farm in the community of Springfield, in western Prince Edward Island. She works at Veseys’ Seed Company, where she tests new seed varieties that will eventually be introduced into the market. The Kellys live in a rustic yet elegant one hundred year old farmhouse that overlooks the lush green contours of the Pisquid River.

Both Mike and Joyce always knew they would run their own farm. They both enjoy working outdoors at something that is mentally and physically challenging, and contributes to the well-being of their community. Joyce’s sensitivity to synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and concern for the health of the local environment led the couple to decide to certify their land for organic production in 1997. Although they have a number of conventional farms around them, they are bordered by thick, protective hedgerows, and their neighbours have been very supportive of their decision to grow organically.

Over the last twelve years the Kellys have been slowly expanding and diversifying their production. Their main focus has been on root vegetables, including carrots, turnips, parsnips and beets, however they also grow smaller amounts of beans, peas, garlic, asparagus, spinach and lettuce. Recently they have also started experimenting with raspberries, blackcurrants, haskaps, grapes and rhubarb. Most of their vegetables, and small amounts of berries are sold at the Charlottetown and Kensington farmers’ markets. Joyce runs a stand at the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market with her sister and brother, Margie and Raymond Loo. The siblings, each of whom operate their own farm, divide up their production, each specializing in particular kinds of crops. This enables them to provide a wide variety of high-quality organic produce to their customers.

Joyce and Mike feel strongly that growing organically is the best way to go. Joyce’s health has improved significantly since going organic. So has the health of the soil, which is reflected in increased yields and tastier vegetables and fruits. Although the Kellys do not have livestock, they plant green manure crops which they turn into the soil to increase nitrogen levels, and have been making their own compost from a combination of hay, mussel mud, sawdust, and, if they can get them, lobster bodies. The hedgerows and surrounding woodlots reduce wind and rain erosion, and attract a wide variety of birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other wildlife onto the farm.

Although both Joyce and Mike admit that farming is hard work, they are quick to add that it is also extremely rewarding. As Joyce says: “ There is nothing like having a mother thank us for growing healthy food that she can feed her children. It helps to remind us that what we do is making a big difference in peoples’ lives. These moments make it all worthwhile.” In addition to the local market, the Kellys are excited about the opportunities for processing their berries and rhubarb for preserves. They believe that the care and attention put into nurturing their berries is reflected in the taste. Joyce says:

Our berries are picked and tended to with our own hands. They are almost like our children. There is a lot of love that goes into them. They represent a very personal connection between us as farmers, and the island and food that we grow on it.

Joyce and Mike plan on continuing to expand their farm, and diversify their products. They recognize that not everything will go as planned, but the learning process is a large part of the joy they derive from farming. Their goal is simply to provide fresh, healthy, delicious island-grown food; and share the unique experience of their island garden with customers locally, and all over the world.