Fit To Eat S3E4 Laurie Haycock & Boyd Maynard by Ivan Emke

As an inattentive youngster, I grew up being told stories about my ancestors coming to this country as settler pioneers and cutting down forests and clearing swamps and creating farmland, all so that life would be easier for me – and could I just go out and do my chores now – it’s only to feed the rabbits and water the sheep, not chop down trees and create farmland! So I should be thankful.

I used to think this was a rather old story that belonged in a museum. But there are still those who are creating farmland out of forest and bog, and feeding local populations. Today on "Fit to Eat" we head to Norris Point, an enclave community in the Gros Morne National Park, to confirm that pioneers still exist.

Laurie Haycock and Boyd Maynard had this idea a few years back – to clear a piece of land and set up a farm. The tasty things they were able to grow in their backyard were not available in local stores, and they believed that lots of folks wanted, and needed, this food. So they had a dream. A dream that requires lots of work, but it is taking shape, and now it is being shared with others.

This past October, we spent some time in Norris Point, and just about every day I’d ask them if we could have a chat. “Maybe tomorrow,” they’d say, “we have some weeding to do.” Finally, there was a rainy day and we sat down in the Voice of Bonne Bay studio in the old Cottage Hospital.

Season 3 of "Fit to Eat" is supported by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.