OFFERING NO APOLOGIES
Hampshire goat farmer who operates petting farm says operation is a farm first
A Hampshire goat farmer who operates a petting farm is making no apologies that some of the animals are sold for meat.
Flory Sanderson said she’s been forced to defend her operation at Island Hill Farm these past few weeks after sharing a Facebook post that Terre Rouge, a Charlottetown restaurant, was serving goat donair meat from her farm.
Sanderson received several comments, messages and even a phone call from people upset about the fact some of her goats go from farm to table. Another Charlottetown restaurant, Taste of India, has also served goat meat from the farm.
“I sell about 10 (goats) a year, it’s not a huge number,’’ Sanderson said. “I have 100-plus goats and I sell a lot to family farms as pets. I knew I couldn’t keep them all . . . but the petting farm helps me sustain that I can keep most of them.’’
Some of the goats the farm does sell as meat could be those that are too aggressive to be around people. She stresses that none of her baby goats are sold for meat.
“I’m really proud that Terre Rouge is serving our product because we are a very ethically run business. (People on social media) don’t understand the difference between what is a pet and what is for food.’’
Sanderson said she was devastated by the reaction, explaining that she’s never hidden the fact that the operation is a farm first.
“I felt terrible and sad for the people that love the animals, but I love them, too. I felt disappointed that in our own province we are an agricultural community first and foremost.’’
As a petting farm, Sanderson sees quite a few people and always educates people about what the farm does and corrects any misconceptions, although she doesn’t advertise the fact some of the animals are sold for meat.
“I am a farmer first. I teach and I educate. The goats are ethically raised. (People) need to know where their food comes from.’’
Sanderson said she’s been getting support from farmers across the country — and the local community — since the reaction to the Facebook post.
“They found the same thing. They found it’s really hard for people to distinguish from farm to table, but it’s not. We are farmers and we are proud farmers. Whether you’re putting potatoes in the ground or (it’s) animals, everything is done for a reason.’’