Introducing Gordon and Andrea McKenna of Bunny Burrow Vegetable Co! Located in Emerald, PEI, the McKennas have been producing fresh-market rutabagas and carrots since they purchased the farm in 2020. In addition to this carrot and rutabaga operation, Gordon, along with his parents, Greg and Karen McKenna, also runs Country View Farms Ltd. in Newton, PEI.
Growing up on a potato farm, Gordon was drawn to the different jobs and seasonal variations that farming provides. He firmly believes that agriculture is one of the world’s most important occupations, and he takes great pride in the challenges farmers face and their determination to overcome them. For Gordon, the best part of being involved in agriculture is the absence of monotony.
One of the most challenging aspects of his job is the industry’s vulnerability to societal changes. As a result, the McKennas understand the importance of flexibility in dealing with these challenges to ensure the farm’s success.
“This industry is so vulnerable to changes. Any changes that involve society – whether it’s human resources, policies, procedures, or government – farming always seems to be affected first. And farming is usually affected in a severe way. Even though every step is crucial to your bottom line, once a change hits, you have to be very flexible to ensure things stay on track.”
Gordon McKenna, Bunny Burrow Vegetable Co.
As East Prince Agri-Environment Association (EPAA) members and active participants in research projects, Andrea and Gordon emphasize the significance of environmental responsibility and sustainability in agriculture. They believe farmers must be accountable for their carbon footprints and how their practices affect climate change. Through the EPAA, they collaborate with other farm families, fostering collective strength to address the pressing challenges faced by the industry.
“We want to ensure that this land is productive for many years to come. Thanks to the partnerships we have formed with so many researchers through the East Prince group we are equipped with better knowledge, expertise and tools to make more informed decisions.”
Andrea McKenna, Bunny Burrow Vegetable Co.
For the McKennas, using science-based management practices is crucial. They acknowledge that in the past, agriculture was criticized as an environmental threat, but they have seen significant improvements in recent years due to the actions the sector has taken to protect the land and promote sustainability.
“We’re moving into our first decade as a group [the EPAA], and I think it’s astounding what we have accomplished. I look around PEI and see more cover cropping and erosion control structures. Today, farmers are far more educated about environmental impacts and ways we can work to control them. It’s teaching me, as a grower, that success = sustainability and sustainability = success. We want to make the best decisions, and we want to make these decisions together as a group.”
Gordon McKenna, Bunny Burrow Vegetable Co.
Bunny Burrow Vegetable Co. has adopted several practices to achieve sustainability in its operation, including following a strict rotation system, using soil-building rotation crops, and consistently planting trees or hedgerows.
They also implement precision agriculture technologies, with their own company “Dialed In Precision Ag Services” leading the way. This company offers automated soil sampling and Soil, Water, and Topography (SWAT) mapping, which allows for variable rate applications of soil amendments, nutrients and treatments.
“I take a lot of pride in the work that we are doing. We are revolutionizing the way our nutrients are managed, which is a very important factor when it comes to sustainability. I see a huge opportunity in the future for precision ag to become its own trade on PEI.”
Gordon McKenna, Bunny Burrow Vegetable Co.
Andrea’s and Gordon’s dedication to farming, environmental sustainability, and continuous improvement sets a remarkable example for their peers and the agriculture industry. With their vision and determination, they strive to create a greener future for their farm and the community. As Gordon likes to say, “Have a good day and eat lots of vegetables!”