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Musquodoboit
Valley Agriculture & Industry
Anyone
who visits Musquodoboit Valley is reminded of simpler times. Our
agricultural and forest industries are our mainstays.
At
one time, small family farms were the norm throughout the Valley.
Today, multi-million dollar operations have replaced them. In
recent years, beef growers and dairy farmers have had to adjust to
an ever changing consumer driven market. The upper part of
Musquodoboit Valley comprises the largest farming district in the Halifax
Regional Municipality.
Locally
Produced and Locally Grown
| The
100-Mile
Diet and the promotion of locally produced,
organically grown products may be new concepts to many
people.
But,
we here in the Musquodoboit Valley have always appreciated
from where our food originates. |
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From our fields and
back yard gardens to your dining table,
pick up local produce at the following Farmers Markets:
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Tree
Harvesting and Forest Management
Tree
harvesting
and forest management have provided work for generations of
locals. Like farming, the small portable mills that used to exist
here have been replaced with high tech wood harvesting machinery. Able to adjust
to the global market, mills have changed to meet today’s
demands.
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Upper
Musquodoboit is home to the largest lumber mill east of
Quebec. This mill produces and ships wood-burning pellets
around the world. |
Mining
Operations
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The
Musquodoboit Valley has a rich history of gold mining.
In
1936, Moose River Gold Mines
made international news when three men were trapped
underground for ten days. Rescuers from all over came to
work on the recovery.
Their
efforts were rewarded when two miners were successfully
brought to safety. Regrettably, the third succumbed to
pneumonia only two days before. |
Since
1945, a
limestone mine in Upper Musquodoboit has mined,
processed, and sold limestone products in Nova Scotia and Atlantic
Canada, and in 1956, was the largest commercial enterprise in
Upper Musquodoboit. Today, products include pelletized limestone,
powdered limestone, granular limestone, powdered gypsum,
pelletized gypsum, and traction sand.
In the early 20th
century, the raw stone was transported by train
from Upper Musquodoboit to the docks yards in Dartmouth and
Halifax. Today, trucks have taken over and haul the limestone to a
nearby dock in Sheet Harbour.
Over
the years, exploration for kaolin, gypsum, zinc and limestone have
continued. Rich deposits of each have been found in the
Musquodoboit Valley. Front-page headlines in our provincial paper
announced to the world of the mining opportunities that exist
here.
Small
Businesses Flourish in Musquodoboit Valley
With
access to high-speed Internet, a number of small
businesses and entrepreneurs has blossomed on to the scene in recent
years. People living here remember what it’s like to be
self-sufficient. It’s this work ethic that enables us to ensure
we have a strong local economy.
Learn
More About Rural Nova Scotia
Musquodoboit Valley hosts
several popular events throughout the year that offer people the
chance to learn more about life in rural Nova Scotia.
| One of the
oldest agricultural fairs in the province, the Halifax
County Exhibition, is held the third week of every August.
This fair is an opportunity to learn about and appreciate all
those dedicated people who work the land to produce quality,
wholesome food for consumers. |
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The public is encouraged to ask
questions, participate in the activities, and learn more about life in rural Nova Scotia.
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of page
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Waddya
know...?
In
1926, Betsy Wylie, an Ayreshire cow owned by Samuel Crockett of
Brookvale, held the world record for the production of milk and
butterfat. In 1930, Mr. Crockett was declared the Banner Farmer
for Halifax County and Betsy entered the Agricultural Hall of
Fame.
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