Connecting Albert County - Connecting Albert County

Sustaining Our Future: Farmer Brown's Greenhouse Adapts to Climate Change

31/10/2025

Written by David Jonah, Pleasant Vale, Local Writer & Agriculture Enthusiast Submitted by Megan Mace, Coordinator, Foods of the Fundy Valley

Images from www.facebook.com/FarmerBrownsGreenhouse/photos

When Lisa and Fred Brown first established their greenhouse operation on Osborne Corner Road in Dawson over 25 years ago, they were pursuing a shared dream to develop a small farm where they could grow the food for their family.

What began as a single greenhouse, built when their youngest child of three children started school, has evolved into a thriving agricultural enterprise with two multi-site locations, a renowned farm-to-fork operation, and a profound commitment to local food security.

But over the past decade, Lisa has noticed something undeniable: the climate is changing, and farming in Albert County demands new strategies and constant adaptation.

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Sweet Memories & Tradition Run Through Pleasant Vale

30/9/2025

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 Written by David Jonah, Pleasant Vale, Local Writer & Agriculture Enthusiast
Submitted by Megan Mace, Coordinator, Foods of the Fundy Valley
foodsofthefundyvalley.ca & www.facebook.com/FoodsOfTheFundyValley

Every year on the third Sunday of August, at the annual historic Pleasant Vale United Church commemorative memorial service, now in its 154th year, organizer Dennis Shaffer rewards the minister and choir for their participation with a special gift bag of local Maple Sugar products.

The annual gift bag includes his Shaffer Maple products, plus those of the remaining hobbyist Maple Sugar producers in Pleasant Vale, David and Maureen Stevenson, and Bruce Steeves.

The story of how this 23-year-retired former manager of Respiratory Therapy Services at Horizon-Moncton Hospital crafts raw sap into sweet products is an inspiring tale of the Shaffer family's generational legacy and Albert County's agricultural traditions.

For Dennis, his retirement focus on maple production is an all-encompassing hobby that not only anchors his children and grandchildren to their family's history, but also emotionally connects his family to his father and grandfather.

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Albert County Exhibition Returns September 11-14, 2025!

27/8/2025

Submitted by: Laurie McNaught
All images from www.facebook.com/AlbertCoEx

RIVERSIDE-ALBERT, NB — The countdown is on! The Albert County Exhibition (ACE) is back from September 11 to 14, 2025, and this year’s fair promises to be the an exciting, inclusive, and community-driven celebration! With major upgrades to the grounds, a jam-packed schedule of entertainment, and a renewed focus on agricultural education, ACE 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience for all ages.

Loriella Farm: Restoring a Natural Farm & Forest

27/8/2025

Image submitted by Foods of the Fundy Valley.

Written by David Jonah, Pleasant Vale, Local Writer & Agriculture Enthusiast
Submitted by Megan Mace, Coordinator, Foods of the Fundy Valley
foodsofthefundyvalley.ca
www.facebook.com/FoodsOfTheFundyValley

In the rolling hills of Pleasant Vale, where apple orchards once dotted the landscape and farming families carved out their livelihoods from Albert County soil, a new chapter in agricultural history is quietly taking root.

John Noseworthy and Marie Josee Loyer, the husband-and-wife team behind Loriella Farm, are proving that with dedication, vision, and respect for the land, it's possible to breathe new life into dormant farmland while honouring both the past and the future.

Their story begins not with generations of farming knowledge, but with a leap of faith and a deep love for the natural world around them.

When the couple moved to Pleasant Vale in 2020, they found themselves stewards of a 350-acre property rich in history and untapped potential.

What started as Marie's search for work after being laid off became the foundation for something much larger: a thriving business that celebrates native plants, environmental stewardship, and community connection.

Zucchini in Spades & Blueberry Sweet Treats for all Season Long

1/8/2025

Submitted by: Michael Land

With summer in full swing, one of the things many of us wait for is the abundance of fresh local fruit and produce grown both commercially and in our home gardens. Canning pots are dusted off, bottles are gathered from their storage places and the search starts for new snap lids. Those lids by the way, have become rather expensive these days! It seems that most of us in our zeal have always planted far too many zucchini seeds, forgetting the amount of fruit they always seem to produce. Then comes the task of finding ways to use their bounty so it doesn't go to waste. Who hasn't slipped a couple into visitors' backseats before they leave for home? Maybe this year you could also pop a copy of the recipe I share with you today so they can enjoy zucchini with a bit of a twist. Also bountiful in our area is the powerfully healthy blueberry. This without a doubt, is my favorite summertime treasure. The one berry I look most forward to enjoying each year. I have also shared a favorite recipe of mine for Blueberry Jam. The smell of this jam when you open it, makes me think of Christmas. I hope these recipes will become ones you add to your collection of favorites.

Zucchini Cobbler

Ingredients:

8 cups chopped seeded peeled zucchini (about 3 pounds untrimmed)
2/3 cup lemon juice
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

Crust:

4 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups cold butter, cubed
1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 F.

In a large saucepan over medium low heat, cook and stir zucchini and lemon juice until zucchini is tender - 15 -20 minutes. Stir in sugar cinnamon and nutmeg; cook 1 minute longer. Remove from heat; set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir 1/2 cup into zucchini mixture.

Press half of remaining crust mixture into a greased 15x10x1 in. baking pan.

Spread zucchini mixture over top; crumble remaining crust mixture over zucchini. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake until golden and bubbly, 35-40 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack.

Blueberry Special Jam

3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, chopped
2 tbsp. orange juice
2 tbsp. orange rind
3 cups sugar
1 cup honey
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 pouch Certo liquid fruit pectin.

Method: Measure prepared fruit, orange rind and orange juice into a large saucepan. Add sugar, honey and cinnamon to fruit and mix well. Place saucepan over high heat. Bring to a full rolling boil and boil hard for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and immediately stir in liquid pectin. Stir and skim foam for five minutes to prevent floating fruit. Pour quickly into warm sterilized jars. Seal while hot with sterilized lids. Makes five cups.

Make it a Market Day

31/7/2025

Submitted by: Melanie Rodrigue, Old Church Farmer's Market

Looking for more than what your big box stores are offering? If you said “YES!”, then expect to find all your staple foods, extra tasty treats and creative hand made items by the artful folks and food producers the market. It's farmers and artisanal market season all summer long!

You'd never know by the outside of the old church when you drive by it, on the fast-paced Main Street in Hillsborough, NB - that beyond its beautiful 19th century style doors there is a bustling life force of makers, bakers and growers. The essence of the Old Church Farmers Market is pure at heart. Everyone is drawn in by the smell of Oliver's German Bakery, the decadence and freshness. Then when they breach the doors and are greeted by the sanctuary of the auditorium, the ornate jewel-toned stained-glass windows and detailed hand crafted wood ceilings, they are delightfully surprised by the treasures inside.

Blooming Where You're Planted: Coastal Blooms Brings Regenerative Beauty to Alma

31/7/2025

Image ofAlicia O'Hara, spouse Jon Sanford, children Andie & Jonah submitted by the author.

Aby David Jonah, Pleasant Vale, Albert County Writer for Foods of the Fundy Valley

foodsofthefundyvalley.ca/
www.facebook.com/FoodsOfTheFundyValley

In the heart of Alma, NB, where the rhythm of the tides meets the rolling hills of Albert County, flower gardener Alicia O'Hara has cultivated something extraordinary.

What began as a simple desire to bring fresh flowers into her home during the early days of COVID-19 has blossomed into Coastal Blooms, a thriving regenerative flower farm that's changing how local communities think about beauty, sustainability, and the power of keeping things close to home.

"I was never a gardener," Alicia admits with a laugh, reflecting on her journey from social worker to flower farmer. "During COVID, I just started playing around in Pearl's old garden behind the house, as the previous owner was known for her beautiful flowers. I thought I'd make myself a cut garden, and then I stumbled upon this online workshop from Floret Flowers Farm."

Orchard Lane Family Farm:  Nurturing Soil, Family, & Future A family-run farm in Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick, where growing, teaching, and learning happen together

28/6/2025

Image of the Thorne Family submitted by the author.

by David Jonah, Pleasant Vale, Albert County Writer

Throughout history, it has taken a farm to raise a family, sustain a community, and secure a productive future for all three.

In Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick, the Thorne family embodies this timeless connection at Orchard Lane Family Farm.

Nestled on Route 114 in historic Hopewell Cape (2021 population est., 597), approximately halfway between Hillsborough and Riverside Albert, this farm operates from a stately farmhouse with deep community roots dating back to 1845, when the hamlet served as the former Shiretown of Albert County.

Ryan is a teacher and his wife Nancy is a school librarian and administrative assistant. The couple run the farm alongside their three children: Oscar (14), George (12), and Pearl (10). Together with occasional help from extended family, they're building more than just a business—they're cultivating a sustainable legacy.

Summer Sips

30/5/2025

Riverside-Albert Artisan & Farmer's Market Celebrates 3 Year Anniversary

29/5/2025

Submitted by: Juliane Pate, Co-Administrator

There’s something special about a morning at the farmers market. The scent of fresh bread, the bright colours of just-picked produce, the hum of friendly conversation–it’s more than shopping. Farmers markets embody a sense of community that supermarkets often lack. Instead of hurried shoppers rushing through aisles, you find people pausing to chat, sharing recipes, and supporting local growers.I t’s connection.

It’s why the Riverside-Albert Artisan & Farmers Market was created a few summers ago. Now about to start its third year, our market has created countless friendships, and transformed talented people into vendors.

<<Previous

food, farming
and fishing

Sustaining Our Future: Farmer Brown's Greenhouse Adapts to Climate Change

Sweet Memories & Tradition Run Through Pleasant Vale

Albert County Exhibition Returns September 11-14, 2025!

Loriella Farm: Restoring a Natural Farm & Forest

Zucchini in Spades & Blueberry Sweet Treats for all Season Long

Make it a Market Day

Blooming Where You're Planted: Coastal Blooms Brings Regenerative Beauty to Alma

Orchard Lane Family Farm:  Nurturing Soil, Family, & Future A family-run farm in Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick, where growing, teaching, and learning happen together

Summer Sips

Riverside-Albert Artisan & Farmer's Market Celebrates 3 Year Anniversary

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