Blair’s Apple Orchard Receives Prestigious Award

The family-run Blair’s Orchard was recognized for its achievements in both farming and tourism on October 16th.

On Friday October 16th, Blair’s Orchard was awarded the L’Ordre National du Mérite Agricole’s Silver Medal in the Montérégie area in Quebec. The event, which was held in Boucherville, honoured local farmers and their achievements. The farm, which is located in Franklin, QC, placed 5th in the entire Montérégie area, scoring a total of 867 points out of a possible 1000. Blair’s Orchards also received the Ministry of Agriculture’s award for Agrotourisme in the Montérégie-Ouest area—an especially prestigious award, seeing as how Blair’s was competing against some of the most prestigious farms in Quebec.

Blair’s Orchards, which has been in the Blair family since 1889, first opened their apple stand in 1994 as a means to create extra income by selling products directly to the consumer. They also hoped to promote tourism in the area—a feat in which they have been successful—on any given weekend in the fall, the Franklin area is burgeoning with tourists and locals alike, eager not only for apple-picking, but for a day out in the country sampling homemade soups and pies.

This isn’t the first time that the farm has received recognition on behalf on the L'Ordre National du Mérite Agricole. In 2010, the farm received the honour of the bronze medal of the l'Ordre National du Mérite Agricole after being nominated by their agronome to compete in their respective category. The awards are held every five years, and farms must win a bronze in order to be considered for a silver medal in the next ceremony. Due to their recent win, Blair’s Orchard will be eligible to compete for the gold medal in five years. “We’re very honoured to have received this award. It’s nice to be recognized for the work that our family has put into farm,” said Jeff Blair of the achievement.

Along with the apple stand, the farm also produces apples and maple syrup, along with managing a sizeable beef herd. The 350-acre farm is happy to have reached such a level of success. The farm will also be opening a new beef overwintering site, which will work in accordance with the new animal well being and environmental standards set forth by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment—it will be the first of its kind in Quebec.

It is worth noting that local farms L'Hermine, Ferme Iceberg, Ferme Anderson, Anglo Acres, Ferme Tully-Ridge, Vergers Petch, Miellerie St-Stanislas, Ferme Henderson, Ferme Ajiro, Ferme Archo, and Ferme des Petits Cailloux were all awarded medals in their respective categories.