Exploring Prince Edward County's Agricultural Heritage

By: Visit the County Updated: November 29, 2024

Local is our lifestyle here in Prince Edward County, where agriculture has been a cornerstone of the community for over 200 years. Prince Edward County’s rich history is deeply rooted in agriculture, innovation, and even a bit of mischief. As you explore the region, you'll uncover stories that weave together the legacy of the land, the people, and the industries that shaped the area into the vibrant community it is today. Here are some of the key chapters of The County’s heritage:

Barley Days: The Roots of County Agriculture
 

From the earliest Haudenosaunee (Six Nations) agriculturalists to the modern-day agricultural activities, agriculture has been an overarching theme in The County. It all began with the Barley Days (1860-90) during which much of The County began to be transformed into farms, many of which grew wheat, barley and hops.

In the 1800s agriculture steadily developed. Hops fields sprung up, particularly in the Bloomfield area, and by the 1860s the “Barley Days” began, as grains became highly valuable commodities. Barley and hops were in much demand for the U.S. brewing industry, and in 1861 alone 300,225 bushels of barley were shipped by ship and barge from here. With such high prices for barley, several farming families were able to pay off their mortgage in one or two years - resulting in some of the large, stately Loyalist architecture homes you see in places like Picton today. In 1890 the McKinley Tariff gave U.S. farmers protection from imported goods and the price of barley dropped overnight. A switch was made to dairying and canning crops. This resulted in the boom of the canning industry in The County.

The Rise of Canning
 

With the Barley Days gone, farmers turned to growing vegetables (primarily peas and tomatoes) as well as fruit (apples, strawberries, pumpkins, etc.) The agricultural industry boomed, and in the mid-20th century The County produced tremendous amounts of vegetables. Many of these vegetables were canned for export, and 75 canneries operated in The County!

Wellington Boulter opened the first successful canning factory in The County in 1882 and eventually 75 operated in total. In 1902 The County produced 1/3 of Canada’s canned fruits and vegetables. Apples flourished, cider mills developed, and by 1911, 10,000 acres were dedicated to orchards. In 1941, County tomatoes represented 43% of Canada’s total tomato production!  The industry slowly declined after the 1950s with the introduction of conglomerate owners and sophisticated farm equipment, which reduced the local workforce in what was once known as “The Garden County.” The last canning factory closed in 1996.

Cheese Factories: A Taste of Tradition
 

Alongside vegetables, Prince Edward County has been a producer of fine cheeses since 1867. At its peak, there were over 30 cheese factories operating in The County. 

Prince Edward County began large-scale manufacturing of cheese in 1867, when two factories were started in Cherry Valley and Bloomfield respectively, both as joint stock companies. The first local Cheese Board organized in 1890. The Board maintained the price of cheese and also instituted the role of a Cheese Inspector. Cheese making also had an impact on other industries. From 1905-1907 a Picton sawmill specialized in the making of cheese boxes—making as many as 40,000 in one year!

Competitions were held to award superior cheese making. In 1907 James A. Mitchell became one such prize-winning cheese maker for the Mountain View factory. He represented Canada at the Great Dublin Exhibition (1st Prize) and the London Exhibition. He also received honours at regional fairs, as did many other County cheese makers in the local industry’s heyday.

Take a trip to Fifth Town Artisan Cheese in the east end of The County, where you can sample a range of award-winning cheeses made from cow, goat, buffalo, and sheep milk. With 28 different seasonal varieties, you're sure to find something that will tempt your taste buds. Sample the likes of Buffalina, Cape Vessey, and Truffalo in their boutique tasting room—good luck leaving empty-handed!

Prohibition and Rum Running: A Wild Chapter
 

A brief, but wildly interesting piece of Prince Edward County history is the 13-year period of prohibition and rum running. With alcohol outlawed in the U.S., The County served as the perfect location for Canadian smugglers to ship alcohol into the U.S.

Ontario entered prohibition in 1916, under pressure from temperance (anti-alcohol) organizations, but for years it was still legal to export liquor from the province. When liquor left the Ontario distilleries, it was often smuggled back into the province for bootlegging. When the U.S. enacted prohibition and outlawed alcohol in 1920, it gave many County fishermen a golden opportunity to smuggle beer and whisky across Lake Ontario to either Oswego, Rochester or Syracuse, New York. Main Duck Island was a convenient stop for rum runners, lying close to American shores but still in Canadian waters. It was owned by Claude “King” Cole, who earned a fortune from allowing rum runners to take shelter on his island.

A single crossing could earn a man $800, almost matching a yearly salary for the average worker, and so many young men, the majority from South Marysburgh, were drawn into this activity. It was not without risk. If the U.S. Coast Guard didn’t shoot or capture the rum runners, the dangerous waters and shoals of Lake Ontario were always a threat. Prohibition ended in 1933, thereby bringing an end to this short, but interesting chapter of County history.

Explore, Taste, and Connect with Our Rich Heritage
 

Prince Edward County’s agricultural heritage is alive and well, blending history, community, and incredible local flavours. As you explore The County, remember to respect the land and the hardworking farmers who help keep it bountiful. And while you’re here, be sure to savour the "Farm Fresh" experiences that make this place truly special.

To dive deeper into The County’s heritage, visit local museums, attend a guided tour, or chat with the friendly locals who are always ready to share stories about this storied region.

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Visit The County acknowledges that it is on traditional land that has been inhabited by the Anishnaabeg, Wendat, and Haudenosaunee Peoples and adjacent to the Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk) community of Tyendinaga. We give thanks to all the generations of people who have taken care of this land for thousands of years. We recognize and deeply appreciate Indigenous Peoples’ historic connection to this land. Today, Prince Edward County is still home to many First Nations and Metis people, and we are grateful to have an opportunity to meet here, work, travel, and continue stewardship on this land.

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