Formal Recognition Type

Century Farm

Heritage Value

This Century Farm on McDonald’s Lane in Kilbride traces its roots back to 1897 when the land was deeded to Thomas Joseph McDonald. Typical of farms of the day, McDonald produced milk and vegetables to sell, and forage for the cows. But misfortune struck when Thomas died at age 48, leaving a wife and fourteen children. This was in 1931. The eldest child was John Joseph McDonald, aged 16. Known as Jack, he took over responsibility for the farm along with his siblings who helped. “He gave up work to stay home on the farm. He loved the farm.” The farm continued and prospered, keeping to the same routine of milk, vegetables and forage. But as time passed, tractors replaced horses; milk was sent to the St. John’s pasteurization plant. The milk was sold to Sunshine Dairies, later Scotsburn. Vegetables were taken into stores in St John’s: carrots, turnip, cabbage, beets, Brussels sprouts, potatoes. There were also hens and turkeys on the farm. Eventually there was a bulk milk operation for about fifty cows on one hundred acres of land. Jack McDonald achieved tremendous stature among his family, his neighbours, and in the agricultural industry. Children loved him. He always had time for them and would give them rides on the tractor. At one time, he participated in a programme with the Waterford Hospital, welcoming patients to come to his farm for work experience. His daughter-in-law Mary speaks highly of Jack: “There’s not another man alive like him. He was just a man that had a heart of gold.” Jack McDonald was a busy man both on farm and off farm. His widow Mary says proudly, “Jack worked hard. He did a good job. He was a good man.” He was active as a judge in Food and Livestock shows. He was a Director for Eastern Dairy Foods Limited. He was active in the School Milk Programme. He was active in both consumer and marketing organizations. He was one of the founders of St John’s Trotting Park and a presiding judge there for many years. Jack’s generous spirit and many contributions were recognized publicly when, in 1977, on the occasion of the Queen’s 25th anniversary, he was presented with the Queen’s Medal for voluntary agricultural community service. In 1982 he was inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame, a measure of regard from the agricultural community. With Jack’s retirement in 1980, his son Tom took over responsibility for the farm. The dairy operation was continued but there was less production of the vegetables which they sold to Bidgood’s. As Tom’s children grew, so his son John became increasingly involved in the farm. In 1995 responsibility for the farm was given over to Tom’s wife Mary. The farm of 100 acres, along with about 20 acres leased in the Burnt Hills, continued as a dairy farm with about 50 milking cows. But recently, with urban encroachment, and the difficulty of getting hired help, the dairy operation is being sold. Tom McDonald says,” We are still going to be farming and growing hay, but we’re getting out of the milk business. It’s too hard to get anyone…to work. You can’t blame them. Six o’clock in the morning until six o’clock in the evening and then only one day off a week.” Tom adds, “The McDonalds will continue to live at Albany Farm. We’re not selling the land or anything like that, not while I’m alive anyway”. All images and content copyright Agricultural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador

Notes

The Agricultural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador is mandated to collect and honour the history of agriculture in this province and to raise public awareness of agriculture as a theme in the story of the province. In 2005 the Society created the Century Farm Award which is meant to identify, recognize and honour any farm family who have continuously farmed the same land for one hundred years or more and who continue to farm it at the present time. This award represents the pioneering agricultural history of the province: some farms supplied the growing town of St. John’s with milk, produce, meat and forage for livery stables; other farms supplied vegetables and butter to fishing communities by coastal boat; and others sent produce and dressed poultry by rail to the new resource towns, such as Grand Falls. Some of the early farmers came directly from the British Isles and others came to Newfoundland from earlier settlements in Nova Scotia. From their early beginnings these farms have survived as productive agricultural businesses by adapting successfully to changing market demands and changing economic circumstances and by adopting innovative technology. They have kept their land in good heart through as many as half a dozen generations. The Century Farm families have earned the Century Farm Award in recognition for their contribution to the history of our province and for their commitment to agriculture in the province’s future.

Community

St. John's (Kilbride)

Municipality

City of St. John's