Naturally rooted; Hunter’s Brandy

On our way back from Sydney, Cape Breton we drove along the North Shore of the Bras d’Or Lake. Heather noticed a sign: Richmond County – Naturally Connected. This reminded us of a sign on Highway 101, Annapolis County – Naturally Rooted. We started to reflect on the difference. ‘Connected’ suggests a network of relationships between the elements of our natural environment and the people and culture that lived on the land. ‘Rooted’ suggests more a sense of permanence, with both feet on the ground.

As I tried to understand the subtle difference between these two county slogans, the thought occurred to me that for Nova Scotia, we could map these messages onto the local geography. What would it tell us about the inhabitants of each municipal unit? Would it give insight into the relationship between the local culture and the landscape? What resources would be highlighted for consumption by the travelling public? Would each municipality offer a different story?

A map showing the municipal messages would make an excellent project for a student at COGS. Recognizing that the municipal boundaries do not necessarily correspond to either cultural or natural boundaries.

Today, we headed over to Lunenburg to visit Ironworks Distillery. We have been working with them to produce a product, ‘Hunter’s Brandy’. Raymond and Rona Hunter were early organic farmers in the Annapolis Valley. In the late ‘80s, Raymond planted a small orchard in Paradise, less than a hundred trees, primarily NovaMac and MacFree varieties with the occasional Liberty and NovaSpy. We took responsibility for the orchard around 2008. Initially, we would hand-press the apples into sweet cider for sale at the farmers’ markets. More recently, we have reached an agreement with Brian Boates in Woodville to juice the apples and then deliver the liquid to Pierre Guevremont at Ironworks Distillery, Lunenburg. This week, we conducted the final tasting of Hunter’s Brandy. It has been two years in the making. Look out for it at your local farmers’ market or take a drive over the top to Lunenburg on the South Shore.

The organic farming of Raymond and Rona epitomized a certain relationship, and care for the agricultural land. Naturally rooted or Naturally Connected?

Acknowledgements

Heather noticed the similarity between the two signs. Edward translated our story into graphics.

References
For an update on Ironworks Distillery, go to ironworksdistillery.com
For more on the products from Brian Boates, go to boatesfarm.ca