​Ripley Horticultural Society learns about McQuail organic farm and flowers

Members of the Ripley and District Horticultural Society generously shared their harvest at the annual sale of produce, preserves, plants and baked goods at the October meeting, held Wednesday at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre.

A special sale addition was made in the form of peony roots, donated by long-time member Ann Finlayson. Also a member of the Canadian Peony Society, Finlayson’s gardens feature 23 varieties of peonies which are meant to be regularly divided and sold. The flowering plants boast a variety of bloom sizes and colours and sport interesting names, such as Sam Donaldson, Moon Over Barrington, and Mrs. FDR.

This year, Finlayson offered roots to the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens for planting, and to the horticultural society for fund-raising. The roots were sold by silent auction at the meeting.

Guest speaker Katrina McQuail spoke with passion and humour about the challenges and joys of farming, while raising children and experimenting with a new business venture.

McQuail is the second generation owner/operator of Meeting Place Organic Farm, having taken over the primarily mixed livestock operation from her parents, Fran and Tony McQuail, in 2016. The farm also sells organic vegetables, herbs and seedlings and is located southeast of Lucknow on Creek Line.

Continuing a family history of interest in horticulture, McQuail decided to expand the farm business into flowers which she sells as bouquets on a subscription basis. Her new crop had its hits and misses and many challenges but she found joy in the beauty and was happy to be able to share her work with her three children, all under the age of four.

Expansion plans are in the works for 2024: possibly workshops, special events and self-harvest opportunities. Horticultural society members expressed keen interest in visiting the farm and were invited to attend the annual open house next May.

McQuail was also very generous in sharing her harvest with the audience, bringing pails of freshly-cut flowers. She invited the members to create their own bouquets during the refreshment break, and assisted many.

In the business portion of the meeting, reports were received and plans for future activities, projects and topics were discussed.

The next meeting will be held Nov. 15 at 1:30 p.m. in the social room at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre. Gail Vander Hoek will demonstrate bow-making and Christine Roberts will show how to put together an outdoor planter for holiday decorating.

Visitors are always welcome and inquiries may be made through the society’s Facebook page, @Ripleyhorticulture.