OXBOW — Ian and Jo-Anne Cushon have both been involved in the International Rural Exchange (IRE) over the years and are partners in Moose Creek Organic Farm north of Oxbow. They are continuing the farming tradition that started with Ian’s grandparents in the 1920’s which has been passed down to their children. Their son Liam is a partner on the farm and their daughter Anna works there in the summers while not in university.
Ian and Jo-Anne may argue about who was the first one to phone the other after they had met. Their love was possible thanks to them meeting in Saskatoon while Ian was attending the National Farmers Union conference and Jo-Anne was attending the University of Saskatchewan.
In the early 1980’s Ian went overseas on an agriculture exchange in New Zealand, at Canterbury Plains, on a farm that was a mix of crops and 3000 sheep.
“For the first two weeks all I did was make work using a hand hoe before they got an idea of what I could do,” Ian said. “The farm was close to the coast and had a huge river with salmon and snow-capped mountains in the spring. Unlike here the animals could be on pasture all year round.”
Cushon’s own involvement as a foster family in the exchange program was a little slower, as there was already eight families in the area that were signed up before them. But in 2007 they jumped in fully and since then have had strong ties with the IRE with Ian serving terms on the board and every year welcoming one (sometimes two) foreign young adults into their homes and Canadian culture.
Most of the trainees that have come to the farm have been from Switzerland.
“They are really skilled kids, having taken two years of farm school. A lot come with more skill than I have in mechanics. I’ve learned a lot,” said Ian. “We have had all types of personalities. It is important to be patient and work with who they are.”
Through the years they have gotten many wedding invitations and baby pictures, and the collection of many life-changing stories. Two Swiss trainees had met in Canada, working on neighbouring farms, fell in love and got married. Others have fallen in love with Canadians and stayed becoming active members of our local communities.
This proves that there are many layers to the exchange being mutually beneficial.
“In Switzerland there are a lot of rules and farms are small. They can’t just farm there, even if their parents are farmers,” said Jo-Anne. “We have done this for a long time and we enjoy them coming every year. It’s fun and we try to create a good experience.”
This is an experience that usually doesn’t just affect the trainees involved either, having their son or daughter in Canada usually became the excuse for parents and siblings to come and visit as well. Once the Cushons hosted one of the trainee’s six family members for two weeks.
“We end up feeling very close,” said Jo-Anne, and the hospitality goes both ways. Last winter Liam went to Switzerland for three weeks visiting six former trainees.
This cultural adoption fosters not only lasting relationships but also broadens one’s views on how farming could be done differently. In 1985 because of the state of economics, some dry years, and worries about the status quo Ian decided to start the big change over to organic.
“We were concerned with the use of pesticides and concerned for the environment and food quality. Wanting to eat healthy for us, means eating organic,” said Ian.
As you could imagine switching up your farming practices from conventional to organic was quite the endeavour and learning process, thankfully they had resources they could go to.
“We had neighbours that were real pioneers, very passionate about what he was doing. It’s a huge labour of love,” said Ian.
By the 1990’s their farm was completely organic with crops such as wheat, oats, flax, industrial hemp, rye, spelt, and their customer market only grew bigger, making it possible for them to expand over the years.
“Certain things require more work, like tillage. Lots of fallowing so there is more labor at that time,” said Ian.
“But there are also certain advantages such as not having to store chemicals,” added Jo-Anne. “The science of organic farming is much more established. We talked to a lot of other farmers and went to lots of conferences.”
Organic farming has led to new skills and tricks.
“A lot of management for weeds and pests is crop rotation, timing, and increased seeding rates. Weeds having less space is the most important; it’s really the first line.” Ian even at one point took on the job of selling his grains overseas, but found that the paper work involved in exporting was not worth the small gain, even though he was a huge hit in Japan.
“We have had lots of adventures with the trainees, like the combine demolition derby.” The first and last time the speedway hosted the event, due to the danger, but it was a proud moment that starred team Switzerland vs. nine other combines in a free for all. “They worked for weeks and weeks on that combine and somehow got it to Estevan. It was an old German CLAAS combine from the ‘60’s. You can still find the derby online.”
