Notre histoire

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Purchased in spring of 1982 from an American syndicate as result of agriculture land protection laws voted by the Parti Québecois. Land totaling approximately 78 acres consisting of 9 acres of stripped top soil removed and the remaining was abandoned farm land last cultivated in the 1950's. All of the land required surface drainage in the form of ditches, roadways and culverts over ditches. Approximately 45 acres were also drained with more than 10 kilometers of 4" plastic tubing underground.

That first year, after beating back the trees, shrubs and removing some of the tree roots, 2 acres of strawberries, ? acre of raspberries, 10 acres of mixed cereals and 2 acres of sweet corn were planted. The blue garage was built the first year and finished the following spring.

In 1983 an additional 10 acres of strawberries were planted. A small irrigation pump and sprinklers were acquired and a small pound was excavated.

Spending in 1984 was restricted to expanding crops to include the first pumpkins and a few rows of asparagus. The plastic greenhouse was also built that year.

The expansion of 1985 included 2 acres of blueberries, additional raspberries, gooseberries and currants. The drip irrigation system was also acquired to help conserve water, using the first system in the province to re-circulate our tile drainage water.

The fifth year, 1986, LA FERME QUINN included planting of more than 3800 apple trees of 18 varieties of dwarf trees.

In the spring of 1987 we purchased additional land adjacent to the west of our original farm. This land also had to be cleared and prepared for horticultural cropping.

1988, we completed tile drainage with approximately 15 kilometers of tubes, the entire farm is now tile drained. Development continued on construction of a dam for a water reservoir of close to 35 million litres.

Extreme drought in 1989 forced additional purchases and installation of irrigation equipment both sprinklers and drip irrigation.

1990 expansion of system for use of compost and the first major use of compost, approximately 300tons applied to assist in soil improvement.

1991 started preparation for barn construction cutting and saving timbers for barn. Dismantling of old barns to study construction and joint assembly.

1992 construction of new barn starting in January with timber cutting, all by hand assembly in March for final fitting before raising on May the 2^nd. Work on barn has continued steadily since then with time out for crop production and sales.

The weather of fall and winter 1992 and 1993 has been most unusual. The wettest fall we can remember, resulting in a lot of fall work not been completed. Lack of snow cover and early freeze in December?92 and January?93 is also a new extreme. This consistent lack of snow and ice buildup will be very costly in losses to all perennial crops.

1993 winter on the farm was very busy. We had a lot of machine maintenance and development to do. Work on the new barn was much more then anticipated. Our time away from the farm is very brief. Each year we try to attend at least two major farm meetings as well as other local one-day gathering. We attended New-York Direct Marketing Conference in Kingston N.Y. for 3 days of seminars on production and marketing of our products, selling directly to consumers.

Our processing of honey has been expanded to include a churned version with raspberry and other with strawberry paste. Both of these items are now available in attractive containers, ideal for gift giving.

The joy of the anticipation upon the start of a new project or crop is the one thing that makes all this worth while. The Christmas trees have been just that. The long-term nature of Christmas trees has made this very special. Over 1600 Balsam Fir trees with eight years plus to harvest were planted.

As if we do not have enough, we prepare and plant 3/4 acres of asparagus - yield will start in the spring 3 years after planting year.

Each year we planted close to 3/4 acres for a total of approximately 2.5 acres.

1994 Very cold winter results in a lot of apple tree losses. Most of our varieties in block 5; Elstar, Royal Gala, Jonagold, Cox's Orange Pippin', did not completely recover.

1996 Lorie Belguim Mare was acquired.

Oct 2, 1997 proved to be a day we will never forget. The loss of the very short life of Laxman on that sunny autumn morning, we trust, is the other side of the joy we see on the faces of children daily.

The first harvest of Christmas Trees started in 1998 with 20 trees. In 1999 another 100 trees were harvested, in the year 2000 approximately 250 trees, Christmas 2001 more than 850 trees. Thanks to a lot of publicity in then newspapers but especially for the support of TVA and les 4 Saisons de Claudine.

Things we have offered at the farm over the years in the mid 1990's the spooky hayrides, Sunday brunch, night time pumpkin picking, adopt an apple tree, trout in the ponds, earth day celebrations, honey harvest day the only activity of its kind, asparagus pickles, etc.

Marie's heart attack, my malfunctioning disk.

November 30^th, 2002. Foals to Lorie and Rose - Today Rose gave birth to a foal!

Marie & Elwood