Ian and Doug Simmons Ian and Doug Simmons
simmons.jpg Grade A Goodness

Ian and Doug Simmons

Red Bridge and Kool Breeze Farms

• Ian and Doug may not have started their working lives together but it didn’t take long for the two brothers to come together and continue the farming tradition started by their grandfather in the early1900’s and continued by their father Eldred Simmons.
• In 1986 while home from college, Ian built a small greenhouse and started growing plants as a hobby. This year, 2011, they are adding there 15th Greenhouse to the Garden Centre Operation.
• In 1990 Ian, Doug and their late father Eldred formed a company called Kool Breeze Farms and at that time it was a mixed farm with the garden center, custom work, chickens and cattle. The cattle were replaced by hogs until 2007 and now the pair concentrate on Egg Farming (Red Bridge Farms) and the Greenhouse Business (Kool Breeze Farms).
• The brothers, recognized nationally as leaders in environmental farm practices, have received quite a bit of attention for getting most of the farms energy from wind power on site. This coming year- 2011 they are adding a second Wind Turbine and will be self-sufficient for electricity! They also participate in the ALUS program with water ways and berms to control water runoff from their land. The manure they produce from their layer operation is now being used to grow corn.
• As a member of the Summerside Chamber of Commerce, Landscape PEI and the PEI Federation of Agriculture, Kool Breeze Farms believes in giving back to the community on a regular basis. Their Scarecrow Contest draws roughly 3000 Islanders each fall for a day of learning and fun.
• Ian’s tips to other farmers – “Do the best job you can do”. It is all about being a little bit better each day than you were the day before.

Leith, Midge and Leah Murray Leith, Midge and Leah Murray
murray.jpg Grade A Goodness

Leith, Midge and Leah Murray

Murray's Poultry Farm

• Leith and Midge are both registered egg farmers and together they own the Islands' largetst federally inspected grading and packaging station- Omeggs Holdings. Daughter Leah is now involved in the egg business; she is president of Omegga holdings.
• When asked why he became an egg farmer, Leith said " the opportunity presented itself and I like a challenge". With no previous experience, Leith started from nothing and takes pride in having built a farm with a top notch product - eggs.
• Murray's Poultry Farm makes many donations of eggs to local clubs and organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, The Relay For Life, Parent Power, Island-wide churches, and school fund raisers.
• For relaxation, Leith and Midge enjoy boating and relaxing at their cottage. Rumour has it that Leith can occasionally be found with a deck of cards handy.

John Dennis John Dennis
dennis.jpg Grade A Goodness

John Dennis

Port Hill Farm

• John is the 3rd generation of the Dennis family to farm the same land.
• Married to Kim ; the couple have two sons Garret and Austin.
• John checks his flocks everyday to make sure his hens are in good shape - that they have enough fresh feed, fresh water and fresh air.
• In addition to the busy life of an egg farmer, John has served as Chair of the Egg Producers of Prince Edward Island. He has been a member of his local church, a director with the Western PEI Holstein Club and the ADL Board. He is also the trainer of the local Atom Hockey Team.

Donald and Lorna Burns Donald and Lorna Burns
burns.jpg Grade A Goodness

Donald and Lorna Burns

Burns Poultry Farm

• When Donald's father passed away unexpectedly, Donald and Lorna saw an opportunity to run their own business and took the challenge of running the family farm, becoming the 6th generation of egg farmers in the Burns family.
• Donald and Lorna say the thing they enjoy most about egg farming is raising the best hens and providing top quality eggs for their PEI neighbours.They also enjoy growing their business, being able to work hard and experience success.
• In 1978, the Burns family farm became the first and only egg farm on PEI where eggs went directly from the laying barn to the grading station. Here eggs are cleaned, sized, graded and packed into cartons all on their farm.
• Donald has been part of community service groups such as Rotary and The Downtown Business Association. He has been active in the egg industry holding executive positions with the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency (now Egg Farmers of Canada), the Egg Producers of PEI, Approved Flock Association and the Atlantic Hatchery Association.

Nathan and Wendy Burns Nathan and Wendy Burns
nathan_burns.jpg Grade A Goodness

Nathan and Wendy Burns

Burns Poultry Farm

• Nathan and his wife Wendy are 7th generation egg farmers and they hope their children Mallory, Kendall, Mitchell and Shelby will be the 8th generation.
• Nathan and Wendy ( Burns Poultry Farm ) own and operate a federally inspected grading station on their farm - one started by Nathan's parents, Don and Lorna Burns.
• They are proud to have been featured in the Atlantic Cooperators magazine, the 2008 PEI Enhanced Environmental Farm Plan Calendar and in the book Keepers of the Land- A Celebration of Canadian Farmers, by Carl Hiebert.
• Both Nathan and Wendy are graduates of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.
• Wendy is the Vice President of the Elm Street Elementary Home and School. Both Nathan and Wendy volunteer for the school's hot lunch and breakfast programs.
• For fun they enjoy four wheeling, camping and spending time with their family.

Peter Stavert Peter Stavert
peter_stavert.jpg Grade A Goodness

Peter Stavert

Donald and Peter Stavert Farm

• Peter and Donald are fourth generation farmers on their land. Farming seemed to come naturally to the two brothers since their father was also an egg farmer before them. In fact, Donald and Judy’s son Greg is now the fifth generation to work on the family farm.
• In addition to eggs, the Staverts produce potatoes and beef.
• Peter says he enjoys being able to produce and sell good healthy food to neighbours at reasonable prices. The biggest challenge for him today is the politics of producing food.
• A farmer’s life is caring for their animals, in this case the laying hens. When Peter has some down time he loves to spend time with his wife Carol and sons Nathan and Isaac along with other family and friends. Peter also finds time to coach his son’s minor hockey team.
• Community involvement is part of the Stavert’s life with egg donations to school fund raising efforts.
• Peter and Donald are particularly proud of the soil conservation efforts they have made on their farm.

We represent the registered egg farmers of Prince Edward Island.

There are presently 8 egg farmers on PEI.
We produced 3,404,139 dozen eggs in 2010.

About 50% of the eggs produced on the Island are consumed by Islanders. The remainder of the eggs are consumed in food product distributed across Canada.

Part of our mandate is to coordinate the marketing of our product locally with programs that are intiated locally and through The Egg Farmers of Canada. This involves reaching out to,consumers through:

  • advertising
  • educational awareness
  • community involvement
  • local and national promotions.

The Egg Farmers of Prince Edward Island are committed to bringing you fresh, locally produced eggs every day. Through our on-farm food safety and animal care programs we provide eggs of the highest quality that are washed at local government inspected grading stations before being shipped in clean, new cartons to Island grocery stores.

Our registered PEI egg farmers live and work on their farms with their families. Three quarters of our farmers have taken over the family farm from their parents and grandparents.

All registered PEI egg farmers follow:

  • The Recommended Code of Practice for the care and handling of birds. This Code is supported by science and was developed collaboratively with organizations including the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in conjunction with poultry scientists and farmers.
  • The Start Clean- Stay Clean™ on-farm food safety program. Our farms are inspected and scored by Field Inspectors according to this HACCP based program which is recognized as technically sound by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
  • An Environmental Farm Plan. Each of our farmers has developed an environmental farm plan specific to their farm to safeguard our precious Island environment. These plans are based on provincial government guidelines.
  • Approved guidelines regarding the use of medication. Hens that lay eggs are not given any steroids or hormones.

All of our eggs are graded, sized and packaged in clean cartons at Island grading stations and arrive at grocery stores just four to seven days after being laid. Grading stations are licensed and inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

PEI egg farmers are dedicated to taking care of their flocks and providing their Island neighbours with top quality eggs. Choose Canada Grade “A” eggs – a sign of goodness.

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