Fredericton Junction farm revived by Ontario family
A year ago a former dairy farm in Fredericton Junction was considered dead.
Absent of farm animals or crops, the property sat abandoned following the sudden departure of the Atlantic Dairy and Forage Institute in 2015.
A fire destroyed the farm house in 2011.
But in the last few months, an Ontario family has revived the farm with dozens of different animals.
"It's coming to life for us because we are both enjoying it," said Tarita Aziz. "We go to bed tired. We're asleep in no time. But yet we have a purpose for everyday. And everyday you come out and say good morning to the animals."
The animals include sheep, turkeys, goats, ducks, rabbits, chickens and cattle being raised by the Aziz family who are assisted by their trio of dogs, including a schnauzer, and a pair of cats.
"We have around 30 sheep now," said Tarita. "But I'm now getting about seven eggs a day, that's the big news."
"I'm an accidental farmer," said Lenzi Aziz, who gave up his job as an investment banker to move to the rural community to try his hand at farming. "This used to be an experimental farm, it still is, I'm experimenting, I'm learning everyday."
The couple have moved into their new farm house before it has even been finished. The animals have been their priority, with barns and shelters being completed with running water before the same was ever constructed for the farm's owners.
Home for all
"As a home needs people and their spirits in it, a barn needs animals," said Tarita. "So in order for us to call it our farm we wanted to renovate it so animals could start living here."
So dedicated to building for the animals the family is still "roughing it" without hot water in their new farm house.
"We actually feel as if our life is just starting," said Tarita. "We had a lot of people telling us we were too old to start this adventure of farming."
The new farmers are weeks away from being able to start working on an abattoir where the animals they are raising will be sold as fresh meat to the community. Halal meat will also be featured on the menu.
"It's a niche market," said Lenzi. "And while we want to serve that niche market for halal meat we also want to focus on the main market which is the market around us — local and the community."
