“If
the bugs don’t eat it, why should you,” asks Gerry of Angus East
Organics, “or why should we expect the cows to eat it for that
matter?” Gerry Caissie and Diane Stackhouse own and run Angus
East Organics, a large organic cattle operation in Cambridge
Narrows. Purebred Angus cows are raised on 100% certified organic
pasture, giving Angus East Organics its name. “Organic grass fed
beef is healthier for you, healthier for the animals and healthier for
the planet.” And that’s precisely what Gerry and Diane are all
about: healthiness! “We’ve put a lot of effort into
building up the best herd: the healthiest animals possible on the
healthiest land possible.”
Their farm is located
atop a hill with a prime view of Grand Lake and with property that runs
to the shore. Having purchased the neglected farm in 1975, they had a
lot of work to re-establish the farm and buildings to suit their
needs. They even clear 200 acres of fields that had been taken
over by the encroaching forest: a big job!
Diane
and Gerry have known farming all of their lives. Diane actually
grew up on mixed farm in the Cambridge Narrows area, while Gerry grew
up next to one, where he helped out as farm labour until he established
himself in the construction business. With sustainability
always in mind, Gerry worked for 25 years in construction, becoming one
of only a few R2000 contractors in the province in the 1980’s.
Diane went to medical school and is now the regional rural
doctor. She runs a busy clinic in Cambridge Narrows.
With
a medical background, Diane is all too familiar with the effects of
exposure to chemical agriculture, “I’ve seen a lot of medical side
effects over the years from the consumption of chemicals” says Diane,
when asked why they decided to become certified organic. “I grew
up without chemicals and I don’t see why they’ve become such a staple
in agriculture now,” continues Diane while she recalls picking the
potato bugs off the plants as a child. They’ve been working organically
for quite some time, but they received their certification in 2002.
Gerry
is energetic, enthusiastic and busy! He has done a great deal of
background research on organics and he is a visionary in his
field. If you haven’t heard much about this farm yet, it’s
becuase they are just about to hit the market running with some of the
best meat available in the Province!
