Reg Phelan Farm
“Local”,
“co-operative”, “fair-trade” and “organic” may seem like familiar
popular terms to many nowadays, but for Reg Phelan and his wife Stella,
these are more than catch phrases. Reg and Stella are interested
in all aspects of farm sustainability – from applying a social
conscience to the agricultural industry to promoting environmentally
sound farming methods.
Reg and some of his fellow farmers were integral in creating the
Seaspray Organic Growers Cooperative, which began as a marketing
initiative for Island organic growers, but successfully grew to include
all three Maritime Provinces. In addition, Reg and Stella were
involved in a National Farmer’s Union and Canadian Crossroads project
where they participated in a work exchange to the Caribbean. For
this program they were promoting and teaching organic farming methods
to a Fair-Trade agriculture operation, while they, in exchange, learned
the ins and outs of the Fair Trade movement. From here, the idea
of domestic fair trade began to sprout in their minds.
Since that trip they have been actively involved in the creation of a
new Co-operative called the “Growing Circle Co-op”. This Co-op’s
mandate is to investigate the possibilities of localizing organic food
options by cooperatively purchasing facilities for value-added
production. According to Reg, “Fair-trade does not necessarily
mean that the products are “from away” as is the popular understanding,
farmers right here in the Maritimes could benefit from a fair-trade
system as they aren’t always getting fair prices from consumers.”
The plan is to work directly with the customer base to work out a
program that is fair for everyone while providing a sustainable food
supply for the region.
With all of Reg’s
enterprises off the farm, he still manages to grow some of the best
cole crops on the Island. On his 120 acres, Reg farms about 40, with 20
of that in organic blueberry production. In addition to
blueberries, he raises beef cattle (mostly as a hobby), but his main
specialties on the farm are cole crops such as: brussel sprouts,
cabbage, turnips, broccoli, kale, chinese and nappa cabbage and
cauliflower. Reg and Stella’s farm is located in Morrell, PEI,
surrounded by water with the North Shore ten kilometers from his home,
the mouth of Hillsborough River nearby and the Morrell River running
parallel to his road. Considering their proximity to water, it’s
not surprising that they take advantage of these rich tidal waters to
supply nutrients on the farm.
Reg Phelan is all about being fair; he is fair to the land, fair
to his consumers, and fair to his fellow-farmers. He has dedicated a
great portion of his farming career to making sure that his high values
and ideals are upheld on Prince Edward Island and he promises to
continue to be a part of positive change in the area. “I want my
young grandson to grow up in a world where farming is a viable living,
where it sustains a local community and is an example of how best to
live in tune with the land.” From the look of things in Morrell,
PEI, Reg and Stella’s grandson is well on his way to growing up the way
his grandparents would wish.
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PRODUCT
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DESCRIPTION
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AVAILABILITY
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| Lettuce |
Green oakleaf, Red oakleaf and Romaine |
July - December
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| Nappa Cabbage and Chinese Cabbage |
Tall
leafy lettuce-like cabbage with curly leaf-edges. Pale green in
colour, with a texture that is a bit thicker than a lettuce leaf - an
excellent replacement for the standard iceburg lettuce! |
July - December
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| Kale |
Green curly leaf kale |
Mid-July - Christmas
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| Cabbage |
Green Cabbage, Red cabbage |
August - June
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| Carrots |
Colourful varieties available upon request |
September to April
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| Broccoli |
Early and late varieties available |
August until December
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| Cauliflower |
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September - November
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| Turnip/Rutabagas |
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November - June
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| Brussell Sprouts |
A specialty at Reg Phelan Farm! |
October - January
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| Grains |
Human-Grade Spelt, Rye and Wheat |
August until supply runs out
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| Blueberries |
Wild Blueberries |
September
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| Beef |
Limited quantities available, prefer to sell as 50lb mixed boxes |
Inquire about availability
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| Hogs |
Limited quantities available |
Custom order six months in advance
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