D’Arcy Mulligan, from Mulligan Brothers Ltd., and Jason Webster, from Middleton Farms Ltd. are two farmers who share a deep passion for agriculture and making a positive impact on their community and the environment.
In 2012, Mulligan Brothers Ltd. (D’Arcy Mulligan), Webster Farms Inc. (Troy and George Webster), and Middleton Farms Ltd. (Jason, Bertram, and Cameron Webster) started working together. Today, these farms operate under the name MWM Farms Ltd. Located in Middleton, PEI, MWM Farms Ltd. grows potatoes (seed, table, and processing), cereals, wheat, barley, mustard, and sorghum-sudangrass.
D’Arcy’s love for farming stems from his upbringing on his family’s farm. He always felt at home in tractors, fields, and warehouses, which made this profession a natural fit for him. His favourite part of being involved in agriculture is being out in the field and watching the sunrise. Recognizing the importance of feeding families in his community and worldwide, he takes immense pride in their hard work and the crops they grow.
For Jason, farming is a lifelong passion that started at a young age. He grew up accompanying his father on the farm and developed a deep love for the work. His favourite part of being involved in agriculture is witnessing the genuine connection among farmers and their willingness to help one another succeed. This strong sense of community and support from neighbours and friends motivates him and reminds him that he is not alone in his farming journey.
“I enjoy how the people in agriculture genuinely wish to work together and make sure others around them succeed. Over my time being a farmer, I’ve truly enjoyed seeing, more than once, when we finished the end of the season my neighbours and friends the first thing they would call if they finished ahead of me to see if I needed anything. In this industry, you see this type of thing all the time — not just on PEI, but especially on PEI. It’s wonderful to be a part of something like that, where you know you’re not alone and you have the support of your neighbours. It’s a real rural-type attitude where you don’t let your neighbours fall. If you can, you go help them out.”
Jason Webster, MWM Farms Ltd. (Middleton Farms Ltd.)
Similarly, both farmers indicate that staffing shortages and negative public perceptions remain challenges in their work. However, they see themselves in a more positive position than they did a few years ago.
Recognizing the need to address these obstacles, D’Arcy and Jason saw the value in joining the EPAA. This organization enables them to share their stories and combat misperceptions surrounding agriculture. By becoming members of the EPAA, they can collaborate with like-minded growers and strive towards sustainable farming methods.
“The better we treat the land, the more environmentally and financially sustainable our farms will become. One of the founding things about the East-Prince group was to make sure all our trials aren’t solely about making the environment better, but making sure the environment benefits while making the economic prospect of the farm better as well. This is a hallmark of the EPAA.”
Jason Webster, MWM Farms Ltd. (Middleton Farms Ltd.)
“I’m a big advocate of social networking — and most of this group I considered friends even before it was started. Now, we can all work together, share ideas and succeed together, which is very impactful.”
D’Arcy Mulligan, MWM Farms Ltd. (Mulligan Brothers Ltd.)
Together, MWM Farms recognizes the need to enhance their practices to become more environmentally sustainable. For example, cover crops like winter wheat, barley and brown mustard are planted to regenerate the soil. Moreover, their farms also practices 4R nutrient stewardship, utilizes precision agriculture technologies (e.g. auto-steer, variable rate seeding and fertilization systems, SWAT Mapping, dual-tank spreader), and employs soil erosion control structures. By adopting such practices, they ensure the sustainability of their farms for future generations and contribute to maintaining a healthy environment.
“The more environmentally sustainable we are, the longer our resources will last. That will become an opportunity for future generations, including my children, to pursue careers in agriculture.”
D’Arcy Mulligan, MWM Farms Ltd. (Mulligan Brothers Ltd.)
With sustainability at the forefront, D’Arcy Mulligan and Jason Webster lead the way to a more resilient future. Their stories highlight the importance of collaboration, community support, and continuous learning within the agricultural industry.