The McCallum Family
Always family
For the McCallum family, farming comes first. Fraser and Helen McCallum, both graduates of the AC, and their four children, Robyn, William, Katie and Daniel are all making their respective marks on agriculture in Atlantic Canada.
鈥淭he region where we live doesn鈥檛 have a lot of farms, and they鈥檙e so important to our lives and economy,鈥� says Helen (Class of 鈥�86). 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud that our farm, and now Robyn and her partner Ryan鈥檚 new farm just an hour away, are a part of New Brunswick鈥檚 agricultural landscape.鈥�
Helen and Fraser believe that agriculture is a challenging field, but one with a lot of potential and opportunity. 鈥淲e both truly believe that our local farming community is in a good position to face future industry challenges,鈥� says Fraser (Class of 鈥�84). 鈥淚t might not always be easy, but it鈥檚 incredibly rewarding to see your children as invested in the field as we are.鈥�
The family鈥檚 drive, tenacity and commitment to farming is clear. 鈥淲e feel very attached to the Agricultural Campus and are extremely proud of our children,鈥� says Helen. 鈥淥ur daughter is working on her PhD, our oldest son graduated last year and is now Service Manager for Dynaco (New Holland) in Miramichi, our youngest daughter is going into her second year, and our youngest son is starting his first year this fall.鈥� 鈥淲e鈥檙e very happy they are all finding their own niche in agriculture,鈥� adds Fraser.
Robyn (Class of 鈥�13), who is finishing her PhD researching native pollinators and conservation biology in wild blueberries, couldn't agree more. Even after growing up on the family farm, it was her experience at the Faculty of Agriculture that helped her put all of the pieces together. 鈥淲e鈥檙e in such a special position here in Atlantic Canada,鈥� says Robyn. 鈥淥ur industry is committed, our professors, mentors and educators are invested and dedicated, and I believe that together we can create real change.鈥�
Robyn鈥檚 younger sister, Katie, is also carrying on the family legacy at the campus. As a first-year聽student, Katie had the opportunity to work with the Nova Scotia Crop Development Institute in Truro to research corn, soybeans, canola and cereals for the summer. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think people realize how diverse agriculture can be and how advanced our farmers are,鈥� says Katie. 鈥淓ven though I鈥檓 just beginning my agricultural studies, I鈥檓 looking forward to how the industry will change to feed the growing population.鈥�
The McCallum farm is a perfect example of working farms using the latest technology to find efficiencies, boost production and be as sustainable as possible. 鈥淲e farm about 250 acres, five of which are in strawberries right now, but we鈥檙e working to increase that as demand increases,鈥� says Fraser. They also produce raspberries, grow their own silage and straw for their Simmental cow/calf operation, supply bedding plants for the local community and sell barley to the local feed mill.
鈥淚t is so important to keep up with the changes and technology,鈥� says Helen. Fraser agrees that the faculty is keeping its students, and our local farms, at the forefront of agriculture and its ever-changing nature. 鈥淪tudents need to have a good foundation in science combined with the latest technology to be successful farmers, and that鈥檚 what they get at the AC,鈥� he says.
The family agrees: They鈥檙e excited for what the future holds. And in a community of smart, dedicated farmers and scientists, the McCallum鈥檚 are sure to change our world for the better.