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Fall Tour
October 8, 2015 @ 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Agricultural Biodiversity
Schedule:
9:30 am- Everyone will meet at Bovidae Farm – 128 Castle Frederick Road, Falmouth where we will learn about a terracing project they conducted in cooperation with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Bob Wilson and his family own and operate Bovidae Farm in Falmouth, NS. The dairy farm currently consists of 75 milk cows, approximately 80 heifers and calves, 500 plus cropped acres, and approx. 165 wooded acres as well. The farm boarders the beautiful West Branch Avon River. The Wilson family continues to be dedicated to environmental stewardship within their community and are now in the process of renewing their Environmental Farm Plan which they started three plus years ago. Bob and his family were looking to expand their cleared land base and wanted to farm in some sloped areas on their property bordering the Avon River. They started noticing some increased rates of soil erosion and surface runoff and were looking for strategies to reduce it. A terracing project was established by AAFC to demonstrate how a simple management practice like terracing can help to reduce the overall erosion rates and runoff. AAFC has worked with the Wilson Family to establish a site they have been able to farm effectively for the past three years. This 60 acre area with terracing this past summer has supported a great forage crop and has also been under-seeded with oats and peas.
11 am– Travel to Castle Frederick Farms (568 Castle Frederick Road, Falmouth) where Reg Newell, Stewardship Coordinator with DNR will walk us through Bremner’s biodiversity plan. We will also view their Acadian Archeological site and have lunch.
Since 1763, The Bremner’s have owned and operated Castle Frederick Farms Inc. in Falmouth, NS. The farm consists of a herd of 300 head of cattle, a flock of 100 sheep, 200 acres of pasture and 200 acres of productive marshlands for hay and forage. There are 1500 acres of forest land producing several forest products today. The Bremner Family is proud of their long history in the agricultural community, as well as their dedication to environmental stewardship. A recent biodiversity study revealed many unique species of plants, insects and birds on the property, as well as a healthy ecosystem that has been and will continue to be sustained for many years. Protecting the watershed is high on the priority list, as the farm borders on approximately 7 kilometres of the Avon River. In summer of 2010 Ducks Unlimited restored a wetland on the farm and this is now a popular feature with visitors. The Archaeological Land Trust of Nova Scotia signed a Stewardship Agreement with the Bremner family to ensure the protection of six archaeological sites.
1:30 pm– Finally we will have a biodiversity Tour of W.G Oulton & Sons – 5246 Hwy 14, Windsor
The Oulton Family farms in Windsor, NS. The farm consists of beef cattle, sheep and free-range turkeys and chickens, quail, partridge, several types of deer and elk, and emu and yak. The farm has a provincially inspected abattoir and poultry processing plant and employs 16 fulltime and 10 seasonal workers. The Oulton family has been farming this land for four generations, and takes pride in their dedication to using sustainable agricultural and environmental practices in all aspects of the operation. The farm’s mission is to use sustainable agricultural and environmental practices and be exceptional caretakers of livestock in order to support the future generation and to provide a quality meat product. The Oulton’s have also developed an Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation Plan which identifies current farm practices and potential activities that support plant and animal biodiversity.
Lunch provided
Car Pooling from Perennia Innovation Park or Kentville Research Station available
Cost: $20.00 per member $25.00 per non-member
Registration Deadline: September 25, 2015
Contact: info@nsagrologists.ca or 902-897-6742