If you think your summer road trip had a motley crew, you haven’t seen this crowd: an old school bus, a car, a horse trailer, four humans, and 35 assorted farm animals.
Gemma Pearce and Jeremy Duplessis move their farm from Dawson, Yukon, to their new home in Cornhill, NB, on the outskirts of Sussex.
CBC News spoke with farmers as they stopped for the night in Leask, Sask. It’s been a whole journey so far.
“They get a lot of attention from us,” Pearce said.
“Every time we walk into a gas station or a grocery store … there are loud noises and people coming,” Duplessis said.
Gemma Pearce and Jeremy Duplessis are moving to New Brunswick and will not be coming alone. (Gemma Pearce)
Duplessis, originally from Fredericton, and Pearce, originally from England, met in Dawson about eight years ago. They started their farm.
The couple began raising Nigerian dwarf goats before moving on to geese, ducks and chickens, but plans for their herd were called into question following new regulations on raising goats in the city.
An old school bus and a horse trailer are part of the convoy. (Submitted by Gemma Pearce)
“They changed the regulations on raising goats and sheep in the Yukon, so we decided to move,” Pearce said.
That’s when the family decided to start looking east. They bought 17 acres of land without stepping on the property.
While moving 35 animals across the country sounds like a gigantic task at best, it turns out that these critters are pretty quiet.
“Goats usually get stuck near vehicles,” Pearce said. “We were very lucky in the campsites.
“We just take out the birds, feed them every morning and hope no one complains about the roosters scribbling at 4 in the morning.”
“Goats usually get stuck near vehicles,” Pearce said. “We’ve been very lucky in the campsites.” (Submitted by Gemma Pearce)
While things may be a bit limited in movement, they will have plenty of room to stretch when they get to their new home.
The couple already has a few things on their minds. A “glamping experience” farm is being considered for people who want to visit and stay with goats.
One advantage of moving to New Brunswick will be the relative ease of living which will include cheaper food and transportation.
“It’s a lot closer to England, so I can come home easier to see mom and dad, which is nice,” Pearce said.
Geese are included in the trip party. (Submitted by Gemma Pearce)
But there are some things the couple will miss. They made a lot of friends in the north.
But, surprisingly, one of the things you’ll miss about Duplessis is the winter.
“I love the cold and I love that kind of deep insulation,” Duplessis said.
Duplessis expects the crew to arrive in New Brunswick within 10 days.
“I’m very excited about this. This is the first time I’ve left the Yukon in eight years.”