"Alanna has a lot of exhibits under her belt so we decided to take it to the next level and do a photo exhibit open to the public," Jamieson says.

"The other thing is there's so much negative press about farming we wanted to say here are some people who are actually doing a pretty darned good job and they're doing their best."

The farmers in the exhibit are from all over the Island and represent all spectrums in the industry.

"I've learned more about farming, especially the Island style, than I would have ever thought and a sense of the appreciation of their hard work," Jankov says.

And don't expect any Sunday best because the key to the farmers' photographs was the all-natural look. Farmers were often straight out of the barn or fresh off the tractor from the back-40.

"We really wanted them in their element. Here's who they are and here's what they do," says Jamieson, who hopes to take the exhibit on the road to various Island venues and possibly to the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro or the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Ont.

One 2008 calendar gal is Becky Townshend of Souris. Her father, Peter, was in the 2007 EFP calendar.

"I'm Miss March. The funny thing about that is that my father was March last year, so when they asked me I said I'd do it but I want March," she says, laughing.

Although an EFP is essential to receive certain government services and programs, Townshend says it was beneficial to have another set of eyes to assess her farm situation.

"And it's always good to sit down and think about what you're doing and what you can do better. So it's kind an exercise in seeing what's actually going on and how I could improve things."

Of course, the calendar and the exhibit were not part of the original assessment parcel but Townshend signed up for it anyway.

"That's just good fun. I like getting the word out that farmers are doing good," Townshend says.

"Farmers are getting a bad rap sometimes through the media and this is kind of a good way to show people that we are trying as an industry and are definitely aware of things and working on things as best we can. So I'm a big believer in that, showing the public the positive side of farming, of agriculture."

Footnote:
Local farmers Colin MacAulay of Chepstow, Boyd, Myles and Robert Rose of Lakeville and Peter Townshend of Rollo Bay West appeared in the 2007 calendar. Blair, Joseph and Kevin MacIsaac of Bear River and Becky Townshend of Rollo Bay West appeared in the 2008 calendar. Alvin, Ray and Ryan Keenan appear in the 2009 calendar.