Monday, October 13, 2008
The Future of the Charlottetown Experimental Farm – Conflicting Views
The Friends of the Farm P.E.I. are pleased to invite the general public as well Friends members to a presentation that promises to be most thought-provoking: The Future of the Charlottetown Experimental Farm – Conflicting Views. The presentation will follow a brief business meeting in the context of the Friends 2008 annual general meeting, to be held at 7pm on Wednesday, November 12th, at the Carriage House, Beaconsfield Historic House, West St., Charlottetown.
Dr. Bert Christie and Laura Lee Howard, members of the Friends executive, have prepared a power point presentation on the cultural, social, historical, and economical significance of the Experimental Farm as well as the issues and differences of opinion that surround its future. The presentation is based on a paper presented at the Island Heritage Management Conference, an international event held in Charlottetown in early October by the Institute of Island Studies.
The Charlottetown Experimental Farm was established in 1909 as one of a series of national agricultural research stations formed across the new dominion of Canada. For many years the Farm was a focal point for urban as well as rural activities. Both research and socio-cultural events took place on this common ground. When first established, the Farm was outside the city. By the year 2000, urban development surrounded it. The Farm was now an 88 acre green space in the heart of the city. Agricultural research was gradually shifted to newly established research stations outside the city limits.
Tensions mounted for this property in the winter of 2002 when it was announced that a double rink and pool would be built in the center of the Farm. The Federal Department of Agricultural and Agri-Food Canada had deemed the property surplus to its needs and intended to hand it over to Canada Lands Corporation, an arms length government body whose mandate is to dispose of surplus government goods at fair market value.
A petition with close to 5,000 names, the largest ever circulated on Prince Edward Island, was eventually presented to the Charlottetown mayor at city hall, effectively stopping the plan for a sportsplex in the middle of the Farm. The public discussion that ensued clarified that this piece of land held significant connections for both rural and urban dwellers, and indeed it connected Islanders from coast to coast.
The presentation will demonstrate the importance of the thoughtful preservation of the Charlottetown Experimental Farm for the generations of Prince Edward Islanders to come.
In 2009, the Charlottetown Experimental Farm will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. Please help the Friends of the Farm launch our celebrations by attending the annual general meeting and bringing along any photos, stories, or memorabilia you may have relating to the farm. We are hoping to publish a booklet commemorating the Farm’s centennial.
Dr. Bert Christie and Laura Lee Howard, members of the Friends executive, have prepared a power point presentation on the cultural, social, historical, and economical significance of the Experimental Farm as well as the issues and differences of opinion that surround its future. The presentation is based on a paper presented at the Island Heritage Management Conference, an international event held in Charlottetown in early October by the Institute of Island Studies.
The Charlottetown Experimental Farm was established in 1909 as one of a series of national agricultural research stations formed across the new dominion of Canada. For many years the Farm was a focal point for urban as well as rural activities. Both research and socio-cultural events took place on this common ground. When first established, the Farm was outside the city. By the year 2000, urban development surrounded it. The Farm was now an 88 acre green space in the heart of the city. Agricultural research was gradually shifted to newly established research stations outside the city limits.
Tensions mounted for this property in the winter of 2002 when it was announced that a double rink and pool would be built in the center of the Farm. The Federal Department of Agricultural and Agri-Food Canada had deemed the property surplus to its needs and intended to hand it over to Canada Lands Corporation, an arms length government body whose mandate is to dispose of surplus government goods at fair market value.
A petition with close to 5,000 names, the largest ever circulated on Prince Edward Island, was eventually presented to the Charlottetown mayor at city hall, effectively stopping the plan for a sportsplex in the middle of the Farm. The public discussion that ensued clarified that this piece of land held significant connections for both rural and urban dwellers, and indeed it connected Islanders from coast to coast.
The presentation will demonstrate the importance of the thoughtful preservation of the Charlottetown Experimental Farm for the generations of Prince Edward Islanders to come.
In 2009, the Charlottetown Experimental Farm will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. Please help the Friends of the Farm launch our celebrations by attending the annual general meeting and bringing along any photos, stories, or memorabilia you may have relating to the farm. We are hoping to publish a booklet commemorating the Farm’s centennial.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Membership renewal
To renew your membership, please print this image and mail it to the Friends of the Farm.
2008 Executive
Chair- Lloyd Macleod
Vice-Chair- Ken MacDonald
Secretary-Treasurer- Nora Jenkins
Bert Christie
Catherine Hennessey
Laura lee Howard
Connie MacKay-Carr
Lane MacLaren
Libby Martin
Errol Nicholson
Gertie Purdy
Janice Simmonds
Vice-Chair- Ken MacDonald
Secretary-Treasurer- Nora Jenkins
Bert Christie
Catherine Hennessey
Laura lee Howard
Connie MacKay-Carr
Lane MacLaren
Libby Martin
Errol Nicholson
Gertie Purdy
Janice Simmonds
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