In 1980, Bert and Lauraine Andrews “bought the most rundown farm that you could imagine” and opened Andrews’ Scenic Acres. Despite Bert Andrews’ description of the property on 10 Sideroad in Halton Hills, the couple quickly established it as a go-to tourist destination.
In addition to a wide variety of pick-your-own fruits and vegetables on the 98-acre property, the farm also provided activities for kids making it ideal for family outings.
Bert Andrews, a strong advocate for agriculture, also used the farm to help educate children about where their food came from and what went into growing it. It was not unusual for more than 10,000 students to visit the farm every year.
“He was unique. He was a visionary,” said Clark Somerville, who served on the Halton Agricultural Advisory Committee with Andrews for 15 years. “He was ahead of his time. He was pushing buy local 25-30 years ago before anyone else was.”
Andrews, who was inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame last year, died early Monday morning (May 12).
If there was any doubt as to the range of his influence, Andrews’ hall of fame profile lists his specialty as agritourism, crops, fruits, vegetables and horticulture. And that still might not cover everything. He was also involved in numerous committees or boards that offered an agricultural perspective on land-use planning, farm taxation, easing regulatory burdens and advocacy for research and food education.
Andrews was honoured with the Ontario Premier’s Award for Innovation and Excellence in 2012.
Somerville said Andrews always worked to ensure the needs of agriculture were considered in any decision making.
“He always said he didn’t want special treatment,” Somerville said. “He wanted fair treatment.”
Andrews strived to improve the conditions for migrant farm workers. It was not uncommon for workers to return to the farm for 10 or 15 years in a row. At the end of each season he held a Mexican-themed festival for the workers at his and neighbouring farms.
There was a time the Andrews had one young worker who was ill. They took him to the hospital, where it was discovered he had cancer.
“(Bert and Lauraine) took care of him,” said Nancy Comber from the Halton Federation of Agriculture. “After his treatment, they were prepared to bring him into their home. He had an aunt in Hamilton who ended up looking after him, but he was so appreciative that when his wife had a child, it was either going to be Bert if it was a boy or Lauraine if it was girl.”
In 1999, the Andrews launched Scotch Block Winery, producing fruit wines that have won 75 national awards. Again, he wasn’t content to just focus on his own operation, but looked to improve the industry as a whole. He brought together other fruit wine producers to form Fruit Wines of Canada, which helped establish national quality control standards that were adopted by the LCBO.
Andrews also successfully lobbied the provincial government to allow for the sale of Ontario wines at farmers’ markets.
Regardless of what the issue was, Somerville said you could count on Andrews being prepared.
“He was very fact based – he had done his homework,” Somerville said. “And he always offered solutions.”
He also supported research by offering up test plots on the farm to the University of Guelph, his alma mater and where he met Lauraine.
It was not only important for Andrews to support the industry, but also the community.
“He was very giving,” said Milton Councillor Colin Best, who also served on the Halton Agricultural Advisory Committee. “He felt, you benefit from the community so it was important to give back.”
In addition to donating to local events, hosting schools at the farm, he also supported the Milton Hospital Auxiliary’s Strawberry Fair each year. He also allowed the auxiliary to prepare the strawberries in the farm’s commercial kitchen.
Comber said Andrews made weekly donations of fresh produce to Feeding Halton, an organization that works with local food banks to provide fresh produce.
“He was a businessman, but if could help a local organization, especially a food bank or hospital, he would,” Comber said.