‘Save the farmland’ Grafton farmers leading by example, take action to protect farmland
A Kings County couple is doing their part to ensure their fertile farmland preserved for future generations.
The Annapolis Valley Farmland Trust Society just announced that Paul and Marilyn Cameron, owners of the Grafton-based Hawthorn Hill Farm, recently became the first landowners to donate an agricultural easement to the society.
“This easement will ensure that more than 20 acres of agricultural land remains available for farming forever and that non-farming activities are restricted,” a press release issued by the farmland trust society reads.
The society, a charitable non-government organization formed in 2009, is continually negotiating easements for active agricultural land in Kings County. Forecasts for 2016 predict that more than 150 acres of agricultural land could be protected by the end of the year.
“The landowner continues to own the land and the only real difference is we put an easement on that saying this land is only going to be used for farming,” said Annapolis Valley Farmland Trust Society chairman Brian Newcombe, a ninth generation farmer.
Landowners participate in the easement process on a voluntary basis, Newcombe said.
“It would have been great if we would have started this 30 years ago. We probably would have had a lot more protection than we do now,” he said.
“It’s important because we want to make sure that we have a large enough land base to support the infrastructure that we have in the Annapolis Valley for agriculture.”
The Camerons are thrilled to assist with the ongoing farmland conservation efforts that will benefit future generations.
“We support agriculture. We really, really want it to thrive here and all around us. We get concerned when we see farmland owners - and other landowners - developing the land,” said Marilyn, who also works as a veterinarian.
She fears developers wishing to build houses on farmland will continue to find loopholes in municipal planning strategies and more farmland will be lost as a result.
“We’re going to need all of the land we can get to grow food to feed ourselves,” she said, noting that trust society’s agricultural easements are one way to ensure rich soil is preserved for food production.
“They’re there to help us, to save the farmland.”
Both Marilyn and Paul, a pharmacist, balance work at their home- based Hawthorn Hill operation with off- farm jobs. On the farm, they raise organically-fed free range laying hens, tend to a flock of Shetland sheep for wool and grow a variety of vegetables and berries.
“You do it because you love it. We love feeding people fresh, organically grown food,” said Marilyn. “It’s my greatest pleasure.” Go online: To learn more about the work of the Annapolis Valley Farmland Trust, visit