The Gilvesy Farm - YU Ranch

Cathy and Bryan Gilvesy purchased their farm in 1979 where initially they grew tobacco.  With the decline in the tobacco industry the Gilvesy's decided to try their hands at cattle ranching and have been raising Texas Longhorns for fifteen years.  The cattle, which are native to North America, enjoy a wide range of plants for forage on the farm, are hardy and resistant to our cold and snowy winters, and were arguably the first in a series of choices leading to the sustainable farm the Gilvesy's now proudly operate.

The 100 hectare farm which includes 45 hectares of native Carolinian Canada woodlot also boasts a cold water trout stream, a tributary to the Little Otter Creek. The integrity of the stream is maintained through the use of a solar water system which pumps water to the cattle keeping them out of the woodlot and the creek.  The Gilvesy's have always had a strong stewardship ethic which led them to purchase to the property, full of native habitat to appreciate and workable land.

They were introduced to the ALUS concept in December 2005 by former chairman of the Norfolk Land Stewardship Council and local farmer Bryan Able.  The ALUS concept spoke to their desire to protect and maintain a healthy rural landscape for both humans and nature.  Prior to ALUS they had not participated in any on farm environmental programs and because of their good stewardship work, were not eligible for many of the existing programs.

YU Ranch became an ALUS demonstration farm in 2006 during the pre-pilot stage with project additions in 2008 and 2009.  ALUS has been fully integrated into their beef production and they are busy year round touring interested participants through the farm to demonstrate what a strong stewardship ethic and a well developed program designed to support this ethic can deliver. 

Please view the YU Ranch map for a view, description, and images of the on farm projects.

• Environmental Improvements
• Demonstration Farm Map
• Image Gallery