Stewart King
For Stewart King, farming was a family affair. Born in 1964, Stewart spent his childhood tearing around the farm after his father. There was no doubt that he would be the 7th generation to work the land.
The King family began farming in the 1880鈥檚 in Goat Cove, near Portugal Cove-St. Phillips. Stewart joined his father on the farm part time through high school, transitioning to full-time work after graduation. After his father鈥檚 death in 1990, Stewart and his wife Daphne operated Stoney Ridge Farms, and in the family tradition, their own sons and daughter-in-law would eventually join them in operating the farm.
In the 1970s, the Kings expanded their acreage and added a hog operation when a swine station was established nearby. By the early 1990s, Stewart had built a provincially inspected slaughterhouse for hogs, processing bacon, ham, and sausage. On the farm, they produced pork, eggs, broilers, and forage, and also ran a turf farm operation. When the swine industry experienced a downturn in 2006, Stewart switched to turkey production, which continues today.
Stewart was known for adapting to the industry and economic environment, always finding a way to make a living from the farm. He viewed adjustments as opportunities and was not averse to change. In 2002, the family opened a farmers鈥� market. In 2022, Stewart returned to swine production and built a new barn for his herd of pure Berkshires acquired from Quebec. He believed that consumers care about knowing where their food comes from, making this an opportunity to renew awareness in the swine industry.
Stewart鈥檚 passion for agriculture extended to industry organizations, and his experience made him a leader in a variety of sectors. He played an active role in the Hog Producer鈥檚 Association and served as a Director for the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture. He was a Director with the NL Livestock Council, representing pork. He also served as a Director for the Canadian Agriculture Adaptation Council, whose mandate was to administer federal grant money to producers.
Success in agriculture can often be a balance between tradition and innovation. Stewart maintained the long history of farming on his ancestral land, while also expanding the operation and developing specialized enterprises. Stoney Ridge Farm was honoured with the Century Farm Award, recognizing a farm family that has continuously worked the same land for one hundred years or more. Stewart said he never worked a day in his life because he loved farming that much. It was everything he knew and his greatest passion. Stewart passed in early 2024.
Nominated by the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture for his commitment to agriculture both on and off the farm, Stewart King is a deserving inductee into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.