News release
THE CENTURY FARM AWARD, RESPECTING THE PAST, EMBRACING THE FUTURE
GANDER, NL, MARCH 9, 2006 - The Agricultural Historical Society of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to announce today the creation of a Century Farm Award to honour families in the province who have farmed their land continuously for one hundred years or more.
“I want to congratulate all the Newfoundland and Labrador farm families who will receive the Century Farm Award for their innovation, perseverance and courage,” said federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Chuck Strahl. “Your efforts have built a foundation for farming in the province and continue to contribute to its growth.”
Ten Century Farms have been designated to date. The award will be ongoing with the expectation that each year more farms will reach their hundredth anniversary and be recognized.
“These are farms with a rich history, that embody the pioneering spirit of agriculture in this province and a commitment to the future,” said Kevin Aucoin, president of the Agricultural Historical Society. “We are proud to be able to honour these families with this award, it is well deserved recognition.”
The Century Farm Award received $12,000 in funding from the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agricultural Policy Framework. The Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) is a federal, provincial, territorial initiative designed to strengthen Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry.
“The Century Farm Award honours those farms and families who have contributed to the agricultural heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador for the past 100 years,” said provincial Natural Resources Minister Ed Byrne. “I am pleased to congratulate all these farms and families as their dedication ensured the development and prosperity of Newfoundland and Labrador agriculture.”
Some of the early farms started out as a source of food supplies for the growing town of St. John's, while others supplied fishing communities by coastal boat, or sold produce to the resource towns such as Grand Falls and Botwood. Some of these early farmers came to Newfoundland directly from the British Isles, and from earlier settlements in Nova Scotia. Century Farms have survived as productive agricultural businesses continuously to the present day, adapting successfully to changing market demands and changing economic circumstances and keeping the productive land in good health through as many as half a dozen generations.
Each recipient of the Century Farm Award will receive a certificate and a handsome all weather farm gate sign.
A list of Century Farm Award families recognized to date is included below.
| The Ruby Family | The Goulds (Back Line Road) |
| The Lester Family | St John's West |
| The Field Family | St John's East |
| The Murphy Family | Brigus |
| The O'Quinn Family | Doyles |
| The Ruby Family | St John's (Ruby Line) |
| The McDonald Family | Kilbride |
| The Murray Family | Portugal Cove |
| The Porter Family | Lewisporte |
| The MacInnis Family | Highlands |
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For further information contact:
Kevin Aucoin
Agricultural Historical Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
Tel: 709-895-2450
Ed Moriarity
Communications
Department of Natural Resources
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Tel: 709-729-5777
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa
Tel: (613) 759-7972 or 1-866-345-7972
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