Country to City: Island Hill Farm Supporting Community & Pride Week
Above: Island Hill Farm volunteer, Charlene Desroche, with Scarlet the goat at Pride in the Park event. Island Hill Farm stood among supporters during Pride week on PEI. Property of Marshfield Press ©2017
Story by Tanya Nicolle Maccallum.
Only fifteen minutes outside of Charlottetown, on the rolling hills of Hampshire, sits a quaint little place known as Island Hill Farm.
Island Hill Farm has become a cherished attraction by both locals and tourists, alike. The farm is open year-round, and its vision is to educate people about the farm, its goats and other animals, and their way of life.
Owner and founder of Island Hill Farm Inc., Flory Sanderson, explains her business further, “We can't all be farmers, doctors or lawyers. But we all need each other at one time or another in our lives.” Sanderson says they’re an interactive, educational, hands-on farm. “We pride ourselves on the experience families will have with our friendly animals, and knowledgeable staff. We love sharing our story, or seeing someone smile—it’s priceless.”
Krista Rusk MacFarlane has been bringing her family to Island Hill Farm for years. MacFarlane says, “Island Hill Farm has a way of making you see things as if you were a child again.”
Above: back row, left to right: Jennifer Sanderson, Justin MacFarlane, Krista Rusk-MacFarlane, Rebecca Sanderson, and Casey Sanderson. Front row: Bryan MacFarlane. Photo submitted by Krista Rusk MacFarlane ©2017
MacFarlane explains, “Being there, and helping take care of the animals, fills you with a kind of whimsy joy that only animals can make you feel. If you haven’t added this place to your ‘must see’ list, you’re truly missing out.”
Sanderson opened Island Hill Farm Inc. in 2013, and has since earned numerous accolades, such as being voted “One of the most-loved small businesses in Canada,” through the national SmallBizLove campaign. The farm also boasts a five-star review on both TripAdvisor, and Facebook. Sanderson is also a member of the Duke of Edinburgh; a member of Charlottetown Royalty Club; and sits on the Sheep & Goat Board of PEI.
Bringing the Country to the City
But, Island Hill Farm isn’t just about running a petting farm, or a business. Over the past four years, Sanderson and her daughters, Jennifer, Rebecca, and Casey have made an ongoing effort to support many causes and events. They, along with a team of volunteers, have taken their goats to many community affairs—many of which include taking the goats to urban areas, something that is admired and appreciated by many.
When the Marshfield Maiden reached out to Island Hill Farm, we wanted to know more about their volunteer efforts, in what we refer to as “bringing the country to the city” –especially, in regards to their ample presence around Charlottetown during Pride week.
Sanderson filled us in. “I believe that ‘city meets country’ is so important. We need to know about each other and see what each other is about. Also, one grows the food, another markets the food. Valuable insight.”
Island Hill Farm at PRIDE
When we asked Sanderson about her farm’s presence at our province’s Pride Parade; and, Pride in the Park event, she said, “Whether a person is gay, straight, black, or white; from one country or another, we are all human and deserve to be individuals, even if it's different than what each other is—that's what makes things interesting. Life would be boring if we were all the same.”
Scarlet the goat, from Island Hill Farm, being walked by Nicholas Whalen during Pride in the Park. Photo submitted by Flory Sanderson ©2017.
Sanderson says, “Animal therapy is about the best thing ever. I enjoy working with different populations, special needs, or any category of people and age. Seniors enjoy memory lane, but sometimes we all need animal therapy.”
Sanderson says this is another reason why she takes her goats to events. “People are in awe of touching, feeling, seeing and even smelling [the animals].” Sanderson says the goats tend to calm anxieties, which is why they are so pleasant to have at community events.
Above: Scarlet the goat and volunteer, Charlene Desroche enjoy Pride in the Park with community members. Photo property of Marshfield Press ©2017
Above: Scarlet the goat hangs out with Colin Kelly, and Brandon Roy at Pride in the Park event, downtown Charlottetown, during Pride Week. Photo submitted by Flory Sanderson ©2017.
Krista Rusk MacFarlane says, “Island Hill Farm is a place my son, Bryan and family have gotten to see grow, from a dream to a reality. Flory is an amazing entrepreneur, and one of the most wonderful, friendliest people you will ever meet.”
Above: Flory Sanderson with Jenna MacPhee & Bryan MacFarlane, at Island Hill Farm, back in 2014. Photo submitted by Krista Rusk MacFarlane.
Above: Flory Sanderson with Jenna MacPhee & Bryan MacFarlane, at Island Hill Farm, back in 2014. Photo submitted by Krista Rusk MacFarlane.
New Developments at Island Hill Farm
Island Hill Farm is now introducing yoga into their life-coaching sessions at the farm. Along with this new lifestyle endeavour, the farm plans to open a creamery in the next month or so.
“We are making goats’ milk soap now, and laundry detergent. We are getting up to launch our Creamery in the next month, and introduce our goats’ milk ice cream, with other products to follow.”
But it's important to note, despite growing business plans, Sanderson has made it clear that Island Hill Farm isn’t just all about business; it’s about supporting people, and their community.
Island Hill Farm Details: OPEN MON/WED/FRI 10-9pm, other days 10-4pm: Rain/Shine.No reservations needed.Cash/Card accepted.2yrs & under - Free2-10yrs - $6+tax10yrs & up - $8+tax