Nova Scotia Apples - Meet our Growers - Heidi Woodworth
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The Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association
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Heidi Woodworth - Nova Scotia Fruit Grower

Meet our Growers

Heidi Woodworth  -  Nova Scotia Fruit Grower

Farm name and location?
Wright Farms
373 Hubbard Mtn Rd, Pereaux, Nova Scotia

Years in operation?
Since 1995 by me; prior to that 10 years rented out; 15 years by my father, Robertson Wright

Number of generations?
Two

Farm history?
In the 1940s and early 50s, the farm was owned by a Mrs. Kenney. She and her husband, who was a doctor, lived in Boston and used the farm as a summer home. At that time the farm was mostly composed of standard-sized orchard and was farmed by Mrs. Kenney's half-brother Ben Hubbard, who owned and lived on an adjoining farm. In 1954 the farm was purchased by Mr. Rolland Woolaver. During the time that he owned it, he purchased the adjoining properties, bringing the farm up to the size that it is now. In addition to the orchard, Mr. Woolaver also raised beef cattle.

In December of 1968 the farm was purchased by my father, Robertson Wright. In February of 1969 he moved with his bride to Nova Scotia from Niagra-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Since that time, almost all of the standard-sized orchard has been removed. One 7-acre block of mixed Spys and Russets remains, and these trees are close to 80 years old. Since 1970, approximately 60+ acres of orchards have been planted. During the 1970s and early 80s, our farm had one of the first U-pick strawberry businesses.

In 1985 my father retired, and from then until January of 1995 the farm was rented out to local fruit and vegetable growers. Since January 1995 I have been managing the farm.

Acreage?
68 acres of orchard, 60 acres of forage, 300 acres of forest

Crops grown (other than apples)?
60 acres of forage

Apple varieties grown?
Gravenstein, McIntosh, Cortland, Spy, Idared, Red Delicious, Golden Russet

Any unique systems, experiments, machinery, etc.?
We invested in an irrigation reel in 1998 for irrigating orchards. It has a gun on top of a 10-foot upright so that we can irrigate over the tops of the trees. It covers approximately four acres in one pull and was well used in 1998. It took a while to get used to using it on the hilly terrain we have here in Pereaux, but I think we have most of the kinks worked out, and we only pulled out one tree with it in the process.

Several trials are ongoing at our farm. We have had an Integrated Pest Management Technologies block, thinning trials, calcium trials, ReTain trials and rootstock evaluation trials at our farm. We supply the orchard and Agriculture Canada supplies the research personnel.

Association involvement, positions held, etc.?
I am a member of the Nova Scotia Fruit Grower's Association and serve on the Board of Directors of the NSFGA. I am a past chairman of the IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Committee, have served on the Management Team, and as a member of the Market Development Committee.

Future plans?
In a couple of small nurseries, I have several thousand rootstocks that are being grafted over to several different varieties. I hope to add at least another ten acres of apples to the acreage we currently have.

Education?
1992 - BSc in Biology (Dalhousie)
1994 - MSc in Agriculture (N.S.A.C)

Family info?
I have been married to Darren Woodworth since 1995 and we have a son Jared born in 2001.  Darren works out of Port Williams as a Territory Manager for Shur-Gain, but he spends all his spare time at the farm. The 60 acres of forage crops are almost entirely his 'spare time' project, but he also helps me out with spraying and other orchard activities.  

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing apple growers (local and/or national)?
The two biggest challenges facing local apple growers are: 1) to increase our per-acre production to something more competitive; 2) to get paid a reasonable price within a reasonable time frame for our product.

Why did you choose to farm (why do you like it)?
I chose farming because I wanted a job that was challenging, allowed me to spend a lot of time outdoors, and allowed me to be my own boss - and all at the same time.

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