1 00:00:01,002 --> 00:00:01,933 Here we are in gracefield, quebec! 2 00:00:02,770 --> 00:00:05,003 -[cheering & applauding] -yes! 3 00:00:05,006 --> 00:00:06,338 Woohoo! 4 00:00:06,340 --> 00:00:08,073 In the heart of the gatineau valley, 5 00:00:08,142 --> 00:00:10,308 Among the gatineau hills, this area- 6 00:00:10,344 --> 00:00:12,311 I've been before- I want to say I love it. 7 00:00:12,446 --> 00:00:13,912 But I don't want to move too fast. 8 00:00:13,948 --> 00:00:14,980 Maybe we should take our time and 9 00:00:15,115 --> 00:00:16,448 "gatineau" each other better. 10 00:00:16,450 --> 00:00:18,117 [laughing] 11 00:00:18,119 --> 00:00:20,152 Agriculture has been the backbone and the 12 00:00:20,287 --> 00:00:22,988 Livelihood for folks here in gracefield. 13 00:00:22,990 --> 00:00:25,457 But, the terrain is not the friendliest. 14 00:00:25,493 --> 00:00:27,892 Like, between the streams, and the rocks, 15 00:00:27,928 --> 00:00:30,829 And the lakes, and the hills, you're farming... 16 00:00:30,964 --> 00:00:32,297 Between the streams, and the rocks, 17 00:00:32,333 --> 00:00:33,532 And the lakes, and the hills. 18 00:00:33,534 --> 00:00:35,100 [laughing] 19 00:00:35,235 --> 00:00:37,403 There were decades where across this country, 20 00:00:37,538 --> 00:00:43,175 Small, family-run farms were being bought out by big ag, 21 00:00:43,177 --> 00:00:45,343 Big agriculture, right? 22 00:00:45,379 --> 00:00:48,013 Corporate profit -driven companies. 23 00:00:48,148 --> 00:00:49,881 But did they come into gracefield and 24 00:00:49,950 --> 00:00:52,951 Buy out the family farms? No. Why not? 25 00:00:52,987 --> 00:00:55,053 They didn't want to. It's too hard to farm here. 26 00:00:55,122 --> 00:00:56,822 [laughing] 27 00:00:56,891 --> 00:00:58,223 Can you imagine one of their big, huge, 28 00:00:58,292 --> 00:01:02,461 Million-dollar combine threshers in your fields? 29 00:01:02,596 --> 00:01:03,896 That'd be like a roomba trying to 30 00:01:04,031 --> 00:01:05,397 Vacuum the staircase. 31 00:01:05,399 --> 00:01:08,066 [laughing] 32 00:01:08,069 --> 00:01:10,069 When you go up in a small town in newfoundland, 33 00:01:10,204 --> 00:01:11,370 You see that people have a sense of humour 34 00:01:11,505 --> 00:01:12,504 About hard times. 35 00:01:12,540 --> 00:01:13,538 Check, check. 36 00:01:13,607 --> 00:01:15,574 I turned that into a career, and hit the road. 37 00:01:15,643 --> 00:01:18,176 [mc] mr. Jonny harris! 38 00:01:18,312 --> 00:01:20,178 Now I'm on a mission to find the funny in the places 39 00:01:20,214 --> 00:01:21,580 You'd least expect it, 40 00:01:21,582 --> 00:01:23,482 Canada's struggling small towns... 41 00:01:23,617 --> 00:01:26,919 Towns that are against the ropes, but hanging in there. 42 00:01:26,921 --> 00:01:29,955 Still laughing in the face of adversity. 43 00:01:30,024 --> 00:01:32,057 This is gracefield, quebec. 44 00:01:32,059 --> 00:01:38,897 ♪ 45 00:01:38,899 --> 00:01:40,465 Gracefield was doing small scale farming 46 00:01:40,501 --> 00:01:44,203 Before it was cool. Here, it was always cool. 47 00:01:44,205 --> 00:01:46,371 But it was always hard. It was always tricky here. 48 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:48,340 At least one good thing is you'll never get the 49 00:01:48,409 --> 00:01:50,608 Cranky old timers giving you a speech. 50 00:01:50,610 --> 00:01:52,344 Cranky old timers of gracefield sound 51 00:01:52,479 --> 00:01:53,912 A bit different, right? They're like, 52 00:01:53,948 --> 00:01:57,415 "back in my day, farming around here was so hard... 53 00:01:57,417 --> 00:01:58,951 That I know what you're going through. 54 00:01:58,953 --> 00:02:00,419 Hang in there." 55 00:02:00,554 --> 00:02:02,921 [laughing] 56 00:02:02,923 --> 00:02:06,291 ♪ 57 00:02:06,293 --> 00:02:09,561 ♪ 58 00:02:09,597 --> 00:02:11,363 I talked to a guy who has managed to 59 00:02:11,498 --> 00:02:13,231 Put down deep roots here. 60 00:02:13,267 --> 00:02:15,800 He's a fourth-generation farmer of gracefield- 61 00:02:15,870 --> 00:02:17,202 Rick brown. 62 00:02:17,337 --> 00:02:22,407 [cheering & applauding] 63 00:02:22,476 --> 00:02:24,910 He talked a lot about the challenges that are 64 00:02:24,979 --> 00:02:27,012 Brought on by the terrain here. 65 00:02:27,147 --> 00:02:30,048 We're farming in between the hills, the rivers, the lakes. 66 00:02:30,050 --> 00:02:31,249 It almost seems like you would just have to 67 00:02:31,285 --> 00:02:34,052 Sort of fit your crops where you could. 68 00:02:34,121 --> 00:02:35,320 Well, that's about it. 69 00:02:35,455 --> 00:02:37,055 I think his attitude is, well, of course, 70 00:02:37,124 --> 00:02:39,124 You're going to encounter ups and downs farming 71 00:02:39,259 --> 00:02:41,226 On the gatineau hills. They're hills. 72 00:02:41,295 --> 00:02:43,595 [laughing] 73 00:02:43,664 --> 00:02:46,465 And the ground changes so drastically. 74 00:02:46,467 --> 00:02:48,466 If this fields were- if they were ploughed, 75 00:02:48,502 --> 00:02:51,470 You'd see the sand colour, the grey clay, 76 00:02:51,605 --> 00:02:53,805 And then the black of the earth. 77 00:02:53,941 --> 00:02:56,408 It's a canvas painting- it's beautiful, it's beautiful. 78 00:02:56,543 --> 00:02:59,177 -But random for growing. -It's tricky. 79 00:02:59,180 --> 00:03:01,613 It's not just one field of clay or one field of sand. 80 00:03:01,615 --> 00:03:02,748 It varies. 81 00:03:02,750 --> 00:03:05,017 It's not great consistency for growing the crops. 82 00:03:05,152 --> 00:03:07,085 And he said you can see it when the crops grow. 83 00:03:07,154 --> 00:03:08,353 They'll grow at different lengths, 84 00:03:08,422 --> 00:03:10,489 And some soil is better than others. 85 00:03:10,491 --> 00:03:12,357 It won't grow at all in some places. 86 00:03:12,359 --> 00:03:13,358 The whole thing sounds a bit like 87 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:14,960 When I tried to grow a beard. 88 00:03:15,029 --> 00:03:16,828 [laughing] 89 00:03:16,864 --> 00:03:19,431 And I had patches of brown and patches of gray. 90 00:03:19,566 --> 00:03:21,767 There was patches that were longer than- 91 00:03:21,902 --> 00:03:23,902 And, and patches that didn't grow at all. 92 00:03:24,037 --> 00:03:25,971 But again, like he says, "beautiful." 93 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:27,773 [laughing] 94 00:03:27,908 --> 00:03:29,875 Rick said, you know, going back generations, 95 00:03:29,877 --> 00:03:33,144 People always worked extra jobs to bring in cash. 96 00:03:33,214 --> 00:03:36,914 My wife and I commuted for 37 years, day and night, 97 00:03:36,951 --> 00:03:39,284 In ottawa, with a small farm. 98 00:03:39,286 --> 00:03:42,120 And when we were working in the city, and commuting, 99 00:03:42,156 --> 00:03:45,023 We're still getting up at 3 o'clock in the morning, 100 00:03:45,059 --> 00:03:46,925 Do a walk around, drive around, check, 101 00:03:46,994 --> 00:03:50,128 Check to make sure everything was good with the cattle. 102 00:03:50,164 --> 00:03:52,464 He said one winter night he was up four times 103 00:03:52,599 --> 00:03:54,967 Through the night to go out to the barn. 104 00:03:55,102 --> 00:03:58,136 He said the wind chill was minus 52. 105 00:03:58,138 --> 00:04:00,872 And he had to keep going to the barn to check on the cows 106 00:04:00,941 --> 00:04:03,175 To make sure they weren't calving. 107 00:04:03,177 --> 00:04:04,476 If the calves were born in that temperature, 108 00:04:04,611 --> 00:04:06,611 You'd have to bring them into the basement and 109 00:04:06,613 --> 00:04:07,579 Keep them warm. 110 00:04:07,714 --> 00:04:09,314 Fortunately, at that time, we didn't have any, 111 00:04:09,450 --> 00:04:11,483 But that's what we've done in the past. 112 00:04:11,552 --> 00:04:14,052 I've been kept awake all night by my calves. 113 00:04:14,088 --> 00:04:16,488 I think it's because I did too many of these exercises. 114 00:04:16,623 --> 00:04:18,357 [laughing] 115 00:04:18,359 --> 00:04:21,026 Rick said his family has always worked extra jobs 116 00:04:21,095 --> 00:04:22,427 To bring in cash. 117 00:04:22,429 --> 00:04:24,195 Back in the day, in his father's day, 118 00:04:24,265 --> 00:04:26,932 In his grandfather's day, it was logging. 119 00:04:27,067 --> 00:04:29,801 Every farm has a good supply of timber 120 00:04:29,870 --> 00:04:31,169 On their, on their land. 121 00:04:31,171 --> 00:04:33,972 So, they would harvest the forest and, 122 00:04:34,107 --> 00:04:35,973 A lot of that was done during the winter months. 123 00:04:36,010 --> 00:04:38,343 Farmers would cut down the pine and the spruce, 124 00:04:38,345 --> 00:04:41,513 And drag them by tractor or, back in the day, 125 00:04:41,582 --> 00:04:44,116 By horse teams to the gatineau river. 126 00:04:44,251 --> 00:04:47,252 And I've seen pictures of that river just 127 00:04:47,254 --> 00:04:49,054 Absolutely filled with logs, 128 00:04:49,123 --> 00:04:50,588 Like, you can't see any water. 129 00:04:50,624 --> 00:04:52,190 I got a feeling if you had a buddy on the 130 00:04:52,192 --> 00:04:53,991 Other side of the river, you could send him 131 00:04:54,028 --> 00:04:56,528 A case of beer across the top of the logs, 132 00:04:56,597 --> 00:04:59,030 Like the rollers, like at the beer store. 133 00:04:59,033 --> 00:05:01,133 -"zh!" [whooshing] -[laughing] 134 00:05:01,268 --> 00:05:03,401 A lot of things have changed over the years. 135 00:05:03,470 --> 00:05:05,203 Working on the farm here today, 136 00:05:05,239 --> 00:05:07,005 Most farmers are working... 137 00:05:07,007 --> 00:05:10,342 Two, maybe three jobs off the farm. 138 00:05:10,411 --> 00:05:13,311 He said, you know, a lot of these hardships with farming 139 00:05:13,380 --> 00:05:16,481 Is why sometimes kids aren't as interested anymore 140 00:05:16,483 --> 00:05:18,183 In taking over the family farm. 141 00:05:18,318 --> 00:05:21,219 It's not an occupation, it's a vocation. 142 00:05:21,354 --> 00:05:22,621 There's not too many knocking on the door, 143 00:05:22,623 --> 00:05:24,222 Saying, "I want to do your job." 144 00:05:24,224 --> 00:05:25,423 -Yeah, I bet. -[laughing] 145 00:05:25,492 --> 00:05:27,826 He said that's one of the reasons that farmers 146 00:05:27,895 --> 00:05:30,395 Genuinely are getting older in this area now. 147 00:05:30,397 --> 00:05:33,264 The average age of a farmer now is 148 00:05:33,334 --> 00:05:36,201 55 years old. I'm 65. 149 00:05:36,336 --> 00:05:38,036 But you know what? What the hell? 150 00:05:38,105 --> 00:05:40,238 If you consider the terrain in this area, 151 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:42,140 Farmers were always over the hill. 152 00:05:42,176 --> 00:05:44,076 [laughing] 153 00:05:44,211 --> 00:05:48,313 ♪ 154 00:05:48,315 --> 00:05:51,149 ♪ 155 00:05:51,185 --> 00:05:52,517 We were driving around, he was pointing out 156 00:05:52,519 --> 00:05:53,918 Different things around town. 157 00:05:54,054 --> 00:05:55,520 This is where I went to school. 158 00:05:55,522 --> 00:05:57,088 It was in this one-room schoolhouse. 159 00:05:57,091 --> 00:05:59,524 My parents went to this one-room schoolhouse. 160 00:05:59,659 --> 00:06:02,560 In fact, my grandfather was sitting in there... 161 00:06:02,596 --> 00:06:04,529 -Was hit by lightning. -What? 162 00:06:04,531 --> 00:06:05,897 Yeah, not the schoolhouse. 163 00:06:05,966 --> 00:06:07,999 His grandfather, inside the schoolhouse, 164 00:06:08,135 --> 00:06:09,534 Got struck by lightning. 165 00:06:09,536 --> 00:06:11,202 I don't know why he specifically 166 00:06:11,271 --> 00:06:12,604 Got hit by lightning. 167 00:06:12,606 --> 00:06:15,340 I think he was, he was trying to write with his left hand. 168 00:06:15,342 --> 00:06:17,008 And god was like, "psh!" [thunder] 169 00:06:17,010 --> 00:06:19,211 [laughing] 170 00:06:19,346 --> 00:06:21,012 But of course back then, when you got in trouble 171 00:06:21,048 --> 00:06:22,881 At school, you'd be in twice as much trouble 172 00:06:23,016 --> 00:06:24,883 When you got back home. And so was he. 173 00:06:24,952 --> 00:06:27,351 -He got grounded. -[laughing] 174 00:06:27,388 --> 00:06:30,988 [cheering & applauding] 175 00:06:35,329 --> 00:06:38,396 ♪ 176 00:06:38,399 --> 00:06:41,032 Next, I went, and I had a chat with a local folklorist, 177 00:06:41,034 --> 00:06:42,300 Who, it seems, 178 00:06:42,336 --> 00:06:44,302 Has become something of a local legend himself. 179 00:06:44,338 --> 00:06:46,238 This guy will get your feet stomping 180 00:06:46,373 --> 00:06:48,306 'til your toes tap out. 181 00:06:48,308 --> 00:06:50,208 Lord of mercy, louis mercier. 182 00:06:50,343 --> 00:06:55,580 [cheering & applauding] 183 00:06:55,649 --> 00:07:00,652 Louis, I understand you're sort of an ambassador of... 184 00:07:00,654 --> 00:07:03,121 French canadian culture in this area. 185 00:07:03,256 --> 00:07:04,489 I learned that from my mum. 186 00:07:04,624 --> 00:07:06,624 When I was young, about five years old, 187 00:07:06,626 --> 00:07:09,761 My mum was peeling potatoes at the table, 188 00:07:09,830 --> 00:07:11,829 And toe dancing. 189 00:07:11,865 --> 00:07:14,399 [singing & tapping] da, ti, ti, li... 190 00:07:14,401 --> 00:07:15,934 I said, "mom, what is that song?" 191 00:07:15,936 --> 00:07:18,303 And she showed me the, the real- 192 00:07:18,372 --> 00:07:22,941 [humming] ca, di, di, la, di, da, da, li, li. 193 00:07:23,076 --> 00:07:25,810 I like that, that song, it's fun, and that's why I... 194 00:07:25,846 --> 00:07:27,512 I feel like it's me. 195 00:07:27,647 --> 00:07:30,215 Louis's expertise is french canadian folklore. 196 00:07:30,217 --> 00:07:32,951 He knows over 100 traditional dances. 197 00:07:32,953 --> 00:07:37,255 I teach them since during 29 years now, I teach. 198 00:07:37,291 --> 00:07:39,023 I'm a teacher of mathematic, 199 00:07:39,092 --> 00:07:41,927 And I do show in the school to make people have fun, 200 00:07:42,062 --> 00:07:43,294 To enjoy life. 201 00:07:43,363 --> 00:07:47,031 Something like 200 songs, endless folktales. 202 00:07:47,100 --> 00:07:50,034 He said these traditions were born out of necessity. 203 00:07:50,036 --> 00:07:51,970 A lot of song talk about... 204 00:07:51,972 --> 00:07:54,506 Drinking, ah... 205 00:07:54,641 --> 00:07:56,975 Being not well about the girl, 206 00:07:56,977 --> 00:07:59,377 Because the religion was so tight on them, 207 00:07:59,413 --> 00:08:01,947 That's the only place they can free them. 208 00:08:01,949 --> 00:08:04,448 That's where all the song talk about those stuff. 209 00:08:04,485 --> 00:08:06,851 Romance, drinking, adventure, 210 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:10,922 Fantastical stories that the priests wouldn't allow. 211 00:08:10,991 --> 00:08:13,058 They'd be like, "ah, stop it with that french folklore. 212 00:08:13,193 --> 00:08:16,227 Those stories are nonsense. Now where was I? 213 00:08:16,296 --> 00:08:19,063 Right. That's when the burning bush began to talk." 214 00:08:19,199 --> 00:08:21,132 [laughing] 215 00:08:21,268 --> 00:08:24,402 My mother, when she was young, she liked to dance. 216 00:08:24,404 --> 00:08:27,204 And, the priest said no dance, not supposed to dance, 217 00:08:27,241 --> 00:08:28,906 And she have to cross the river, 218 00:08:28,942 --> 00:08:31,009 And have dance with irish people, the other one. 219 00:08:31,011 --> 00:08:32,510 And they have fun all night, 220 00:08:32,513 --> 00:08:34,079 And they come back in the night. 221 00:08:34,081 --> 00:08:36,815 The irish were allowed to do traditional dances, 222 00:08:36,950 --> 00:08:38,483 At least from the waist down, I think. 223 00:08:38,485 --> 00:08:41,219 [laughing] 224 00:08:41,288 --> 00:08:43,421 Toe dancing, louis told me about. 225 00:08:43,557 --> 00:08:46,024 ♪ [singing in french] 226 00:08:46,026 --> 00:08:50,028 ♪ jonny, I'm so happy to be with, you dear jonny. ♪ 227 00:08:50,097 --> 00:08:53,364 ♪ maybe you're gonna learn to play with your feet. ♪ 228 00:08:53,433 --> 00:08:56,968 It's like complex tapping of just the feet. 229 00:08:57,004 --> 00:08:59,404 And I know it sounds sort of traditional and old-timey, 230 00:08:59,473 --> 00:09:01,505 But actually toe dancing... 231 00:09:01,542 --> 00:09:03,174 Is digital. 232 00:09:03,210 --> 00:09:04,442 [laughing] 233 00:09:04,578 --> 00:09:06,844 Then we were joined by a third performer. 234 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:07,946 Who's this? 235 00:09:08,081 --> 00:09:09,281 His name is jonny boy. 236 00:09:09,416 --> 00:09:10,514 Yeehoo! 237 00:09:10,551 --> 00:09:13,517 ♪ [humming] 238 00:09:13,554 --> 00:09:14,986 Yah-ha! 239 00:09:15,022 --> 00:09:17,121 And jonny dances. 240 00:09:17,123 --> 00:09:19,124 ♪ [humming] 241 00:09:19,259 --> 00:09:20,458 When he gets going, it really looks like 242 00:09:20,594 --> 00:09:22,327 The irish sort of step dance. 243 00:09:22,329 --> 00:09:23,995 Like, I thought he was going to be more wooden. 244 00:09:24,031 --> 00:09:26,197 [laughing] 245 00:09:26,233 --> 00:09:31,936 ♪ [singing in french] 246 00:09:31,938 --> 00:09:33,905 Oh, my god, we played the spoons there. 247 00:09:33,974 --> 00:09:39,010 ♪ [singing in french] 248 00:09:39,012 --> 00:09:41,212 He said back in the logging camps, 249 00:09:41,248 --> 00:09:43,081 They only ate with spoons. 250 00:09:43,083 --> 00:09:45,950 People would play them as instruments, 251 00:09:45,952 --> 00:09:47,986 And we sang an old folk song called, 252 00:09:48,121 --> 00:09:50,055 "j'entends le moulin". 253 00:09:50,057 --> 00:09:53,491 ♪ [singing in french continues] ♪ 254 00:09:53,627 --> 00:09:57,528 ♪ 255 00:09:57,564 --> 00:09:59,764 And I tried my best to keep up with louis, 256 00:09:59,899 --> 00:10:02,366 But it sort of speeds up as it goes, 257 00:10:02,402 --> 00:10:04,369 And I was trying to play the spoons, 258 00:10:04,371 --> 00:10:06,037 And I just learned the words. 259 00:10:06,073 --> 00:10:07,105 Like, learned how to say them. 260 00:10:07,107 --> 00:10:08,406 I still don't know what they mean. 261 00:10:08,408 --> 00:10:11,309 [laughing] 262 00:10:11,444 --> 00:10:15,046 ♪ [singing in french continues] ♪ 263 00:10:15,181 --> 00:10:19,317 ♪ 264 00:10:19,386 --> 00:10:24,022 ♪ 265 00:10:24,024 --> 00:10:25,523 -Hey! -Hey! Bravo, jonny! 266 00:10:25,592 --> 00:10:26,524 -[laughing] -very good. 267 00:10:26,660 --> 00:10:28,859 [laughing] 268 00:10:28,895 --> 00:10:31,262 Louis's an excellent teacher, great energy. 269 00:10:31,264 --> 00:10:33,231 When I'm good enough, we're gonna start a band. 270 00:10:33,300 --> 00:10:36,600 We're gonna call it borscht, which I know borscht is 271 00:10:36,637 --> 00:10:38,203 Ukrainian, not french canadian, 272 00:10:38,205 --> 00:10:40,271 But I'm telling you you've never had such tasty 273 00:10:40,273 --> 00:10:41,606 Beats on the spoon. 274 00:10:41,608 --> 00:10:44,041 [laughing] 275 00:10:50,016 --> 00:10:53,118 ♪ 276 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:55,353 Okay, I'm gonna butcher this next one. 277 00:10:55,488 --> 00:10:57,355 But I'm not trying to roast anybody, 278 00:10:57,490 --> 00:10:58,889 Just do some light ribbing. 279 00:10:58,925 --> 00:11:00,725 I went over to boucherie o'max, 280 00:11:00,860 --> 00:11:02,927 And I talked to sylvain and nancy. 281 00:11:02,929 --> 00:11:07,732 [cheering & applauding] 282 00:11:07,801 --> 00:11:10,368 It's funny how they came to buy the shop here. 283 00:11:10,503 --> 00:11:12,603 The butchery here went out of business. 284 00:11:12,639 --> 00:11:14,505 They came- they were gonna buy some of the equipment. 285 00:11:14,574 --> 00:11:16,574 This is what I was after. 286 00:11:16,576 --> 00:11:18,542 This is display here. It's hard to move. 287 00:11:18,578 --> 00:11:20,645 -And way too big for... -Exactly. 288 00:11:20,780 --> 00:11:22,580 Some of the equipment was so big, 289 00:11:22,649 --> 00:11:25,283 It wouldn't fit through the door... 290 00:11:25,352 --> 00:11:26,784 So they bought the whole shop. 291 00:11:26,853 --> 00:11:28,786 [laughing] 292 00:11:28,822 --> 00:11:30,455 Sometimes you got to take chances. 293 00:11:30,457 --> 00:11:32,089 Life is short, deli counters are long. 294 00:11:32,125 --> 00:11:34,826 [laughing] 295 00:11:34,828 --> 00:11:36,427 Sylvain, as a butcher, he does both 296 00:11:36,496 --> 00:11:39,297 Farm animals and wild game. 297 00:11:39,366 --> 00:11:41,933 He's the only guy in the province to have 298 00:11:41,935 --> 00:11:43,735 Both of those licenses. 299 00:11:43,804 --> 00:11:45,503 And the way he did it was interesting. 300 00:11:45,505 --> 00:11:47,404 I kind of separate my store in two part. 301 00:11:47,441 --> 00:11:48,940 I've got the part in the back, 302 00:11:48,942 --> 00:11:51,876 We could do wild animal, could be farmers' animal. 303 00:11:52,011 --> 00:11:53,812 All the retails takes place here... 304 00:11:53,814 --> 00:11:55,412 -In front. -All the retail in front. 305 00:11:55,449 --> 00:11:56,581 Yeah, I've got a butcher in front, 306 00:11:56,716 --> 00:11:58,583 And I've got seven butcher in the back. 307 00:11:58,718 --> 00:12:00,785 No cross contamination, right? 308 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:02,587 Because when he tried to get both licenses, 309 00:12:02,722 --> 00:12:04,556 Agriculture said to him, "no, no, no, 310 00:12:04,691 --> 00:12:07,726 You can only do these two things in separate buildings." 311 00:12:07,861 --> 00:12:08,927 I say no. 312 00:12:09,062 --> 00:12:10,828 They say two location, and therefore, 313 00:12:10,864 --> 00:12:14,565 They kind of have no choice to give me my license. 314 00:12:14,634 --> 00:12:15,933 Which is pretty shrewd. 315 00:12:15,935 --> 00:12:17,668 I wouldn't want to argue with sylvain. 316 00:12:17,704 --> 00:12:18,803 [laughing] 317 00:12:18,938 --> 00:12:20,371 Like, he, he's a butcher. 318 00:12:20,507 --> 00:12:21,806 He'll cut the legs out from under you. 319 00:12:21,941 --> 00:12:23,608 [laughing] 320 00:12:23,677 --> 00:12:27,111 The funny thing is sylvain's background was in computers. 321 00:12:27,113 --> 00:12:29,513 I was the highest rank you could get in computers. 322 00:12:29,549 --> 00:12:31,448 Cio, chief information officer. 323 00:12:31,585 --> 00:12:34,051 I said, "well, how did you learn how to become a butcher?" 324 00:12:34,053 --> 00:12:38,056 The former owner here showed sylvain how to... 325 00:12:38,058 --> 00:12:40,658 Like the basic of butchering. 326 00:12:40,660 --> 00:12:43,828 And then, sylvain would go on youtube and learn. 327 00:12:43,830 --> 00:12:45,430 You can learn anything on youtube. 328 00:12:45,432 --> 00:12:46,464 Exactly, oh, yeah. 329 00:12:46,599 --> 00:12:47,565 That's the way a lot of people learn 330 00:12:47,700 --> 00:12:49,300 A lot of things right now, right? 331 00:12:49,435 --> 00:12:50,769 But it's got to be bit harder when you're 332 00:12:50,904 --> 00:12:52,937 Up to your elbows in animal parts. 333 00:12:53,006 --> 00:12:53,838 Do you know what I mean? 334 00:12:53,907 --> 00:12:56,407 You're watching the video, like... 335 00:12:56,543 --> 00:12:58,476 Oh, what did he say there? What am I supposed to do? 336 00:12:58,611 --> 00:13:01,545 -Oh... -[laughing] 337 00:13:01,581 --> 00:13:04,749 To me, meat is, bring the people together, enjoy. 338 00:13:04,751 --> 00:13:06,184 You want to give them the best, 339 00:13:06,186 --> 00:13:07,885 Like it's my own way of doing it. 340 00:13:07,954 --> 00:13:09,621 And I sell a lot. 341 00:13:09,756 --> 00:13:11,889 They had laid out some of the meat there, and I tried it. 342 00:13:11,925 --> 00:13:13,391 It was delicious. 343 00:13:13,393 --> 00:13:15,193 And some of the sausage I tried. 344 00:13:15,328 --> 00:13:18,429 Sylvain really prides himself on the quality. 345 00:13:18,431 --> 00:13:19,964 He said when he makes sausages... 346 00:13:19,966 --> 00:13:21,432 Typically, what I would do, 347 00:13:21,434 --> 00:13:25,303 I would put about 70 to 80% of meat- 348 00:13:25,372 --> 00:13:28,873 20, 30- 30% of fat only, and that's why we 349 00:13:28,909 --> 00:13:31,642 End up with sausage that's actually tasty. 350 00:13:31,711 --> 00:13:33,378 He said most sausages you'll buy at the store, 351 00:13:33,380 --> 00:13:34,846 It's about 50%. 352 00:13:34,981 --> 00:13:36,848 And the really cheap sausages, well, 353 00:13:36,983 --> 00:13:38,582 You know what's in those, right? 354 00:13:38,618 --> 00:13:40,318 Lips and arseholes. 355 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:42,052 [laughing] 356 00:13:42,054 --> 00:13:43,988 Although, putting lips and arseholes together, 357 00:13:44,057 --> 00:13:45,956 Talk about making ends meet. 358 00:13:45,992 --> 00:13:48,993 [laughing] 359 00:13:48,995 --> 00:13:52,897 ♪ 360 00:13:53,032 --> 00:13:56,134 ♪ 361 00:13:56,136 --> 00:13:58,069 Next, I met a couple from montreal 362 00:13:58,138 --> 00:14:00,104 Who may be new to this area, 363 00:14:00,140 --> 00:14:01,939 But they're getting into the old tradition of 364 00:14:01,975 --> 00:14:05,343 Small-scale farming, from big city grind to 365 00:14:05,345 --> 00:14:08,513 Grinding gracefield garlic, rod and luc. 366 00:14:08,515 --> 00:14:13,751 [cheering & applauding] 367 00:14:13,887 --> 00:14:16,420 For years, they ran a very popular restaurant that 368 00:14:16,456 --> 00:14:18,656 Served some of the most sought-after dishes in 369 00:14:18,791 --> 00:14:21,892 Montreal, including a lot of meat dishes. 370 00:14:21,928 --> 00:14:23,828 We did a shift in our, in our... 371 00:14:23,830 --> 00:14:25,562 Alimentation, in our food. 372 00:14:25,599 --> 00:14:27,731 We decided to become vegan, in fact. 373 00:14:27,767 --> 00:14:29,633 They decided they wanted to leave the city 374 00:14:29,669 --> 00:14:31,035 To become farmers. 375 00:14:31,104 --> 00:14:33,971 Was an old dream of ours when even we met that 376 00:14:34,107 --> 00:14:36,641 We were going to live someday on a farm. 377 00:14:36,643 --> 00:14:39,777 I think every weekend I was grabbing rod to say, 378 00:14:39,779 --> 00:14:42,513 "okay, let's go see this place or that place," you know. 379 00:14:42,515 --> 00:14:43,847 They looked at several properties, 380 00:14:43,884 --> 00:14:45,750 But when they arrived at the place 381 00:14:45,885 --> 00:14:47,418 They have here in gracefield... 382 00:14:47,487 --> 00:14:50,488 As soon as we arrived, I knew I wanted the place. 383 00:14:50,557 --> 00:14:53,391 Luc wasn't as sure until... 384 00:14:53,393 --> 00:14:54,459 There was a horse here. 385 00:14:54,461 --> 00:14:57,528 Memphis was the mistress of the place, you know. 386 00:14:57,530 --> 00:14:59,931 The horse was checking us out to make sure that 387 00:15:00,066 --> 00:15:01,498 We were the right fit. 388 00:15:01,534 --> 00:15:04,402 And she came up, and she came close to me. 389 00:15:04,404 --> 00:15:07,672 And then, memphis put her head on luc's... 390 00:15:07,741 --> 00:15:10,541 Like that, as if the horse was saying, 391 00:15:10,543 --> 00:15:12,477 "please come and rescue me." 392 00:15:12,612 --> 00:15:13,877 That's why they bought the place. 393 00:15:13,914 --> 00:15:15,880 He was convinced by this tired, old horse, 394 00:15:15,882 --> 00:15:17,681 Who didn't even nag. 395 00:15:17,717 --> 00:15:19,484 [laughing] 396 00:15:19,619 --> 00:15:20,952 Of course, we wanted to... 397 00:15:21,021 --> 00:15:23,755 Serve and eat as much as organic, and direct, 398 00:15:23,757 --> 00:15:25,390 And local food as possible. 399 00:15:25,392 --> 00:15:26,457 They're living here in gracefield, 400 00:15:26,459 --> 00:15:28,493 Trying to figure out what they'd like to grow. 401 00:15:28,628 --> 00:15:30,494 And I discovered that garlic, 402 00:15:30,563 --> 00:15:32,297 We have the best product in quebec. 403 00:15:32,432 --> 00:15:35,366 And it's the easiest thing you can grow. 404 00:15:35,368 --> 00:15:37,935 Garlic was part of his signature style, 405 00:15:37,938 --> 00:15:40,504 Part of his signature taste. 406 00:15:40,540 --> 00:15:42,707 Garlic, I can actually plant, 407 00:15:42,709 --> 00:15:44,842 And go away for winter and come back to it. 408 00:15:44,978 --> 00:15:46,911 -Yeah, low maintenance. -Yeah. 409 00:15:46,913 --> 00:15:49,047 It sounds a bit like my online dating bio. 410 00:15:49,049 --> 00:15:51,249 [laughing] 411 00:15:51,384 --> 00:15:52,450 "pretty low maintenance, 412 00:15:52,519 --> 00:15:54,452 Doesn't mind being left alone for a year, 413 00:15:54,454 --> 00:15:56,653 But performs well in a crowded bed." 414 00:15:56,655 --> 00:15:58,856 [laughing] 415 00:15:58,858 --> 00:16:01,259 Rod whipped up some, some garlic dressing 416 00:16:01,394 --> 00:16:03,494 While I was there, simple ingredients: 417 00:16:03,629 --> 00:16:06,797 Garlic, olive oil, canola, lemon juice, 418 00:16:06,866 --> 00:16:08,967 Salt and pepper, and cilantro. 419 00:16:09,102 --> 00:16:11,669 When somebody goes to me, "I don't like cilantro," 420 00:16:11,738 --> 00:16:13,204 Then I'm going to make this vinaigrette. 421 00:16:13,273 --> 00:16:14,438 -Right? -Yeah. 422 00:16:14,474 --> 00:16:16,674 And then, I'm going to let you try it. 423 00:16:16,809 --> 00:16:18,977 And you're going to go, "oh my god, what is it?" 424 00:16:19,112 --> 00:16:20,845 -Well, do you like it? -[laughing] 425 00:16:20,914 --> 00:16:22,613 Yes, I love it. What's in there? 426 00:16:22,615 --> 00:16:23,948 And then I'm gonna tell you. 427 00:16:23,950 --> 00:16:25,682 This is like a trick our moms do with us 428 00:16:25,719 --> 00:16:27,085 When we're kids, right? 429 00:16:27,087 --> 00:16:28,886 They're like, "oh, you like that, do you? 430 00:16:28,888 --> 00:16:30,888 Well, you'll never guess what's in it." 431 00:16:30,890 --> 00:16:33,491 [laughing] 432 00:16:33,626 --> 00:16:34,826 We are vegan. 433 00:16:34,961 --> 00:16:37,694 Moving to a small town... 434 00:16:37,731 --> 00:16:39,497 With no expectation. 435 00:16:39,566 --> 00:16:41,565 We joined the market, I started cooking. 436 00:16:41,700 --> 00:16:43,434 And people were lining up for it. 437 00:16:43,470 --> 00:16:45,002 Some of the stuff they've brought to the farmers' 438 00:16:45,005 --> 00:16:47,472 Market is so popular, they have a... 439 00:16:47,474 --> 00:16:51,776 A waiting list for cooking lessons out of their home. 440 00:16:52,846 --> 00:16:54,512 There is a waiting list, a year and a half. 441 00:16:54,514 --> 00:16:56,647 People are waiting to take cooking classes 442 00:16:56,783 --> 00:16:57,848 In a small town. 443 00:16:57,884 --> 00:17:00,717 Now, to me, who's going to wait a year and a half 444 00:17:00,754 --> 00:17:02,052 For a cooking class? 445 00:17:02,088 --> 00:17:03,787 Depends how bad you need them, I suppose. 446 00:17:03,823 --> 00:17:05,923 But if you really were desperate, you know... 447 00:17:06,059 --> 00:17:08,993 I mean, I'm just saying you got options. 448 00:17:08,995 --> 00:17:10,394 I don't want to be that guy, but like, 449 00:17:10,463 --> 00:17:12,130 Sylvain became a butcher watching youtube. 450 00:17:12,265 --> 00:17:14,131 [laughing] 451 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:16,733 [cheering & applauding] 452 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:23,207 ♪ 453 00:17:23,209 --> 00:17:25,877 It's been a long time since the horses hauled logs 454 00:17:26,012 --> 00:17:27,545 To the river here, 455 00:17:27,547 --> 00:17:30,882 But they're still a big part of life in gracefield. 456 00:17:31,017 --> 00:17:33,951 When I found out there was a sport called barrel racing, 457 00:17:34,020 --> 00:17:35,619 I fancied my chances. 458 00:17:35,688 --> 00:17:37,588 I figured I could race a barrel even without a horse. 459 00:17:37,657 --> 00:17:39,190 [laughing] 460 00:17:39,192 --> 00:17:40,691 But I got to talk to a young woman 461 00:17:40,693 --> 00:17:42,493 Who not only teaches riding, 462 00:17:42,529 --> 00:17:45,963 She has won several barrel racing championships. 463 00:17:46,032 --> 00:17:49,133 Call her the "reining" champ, sabrina moreau. 464 00:17:49,269 --> 00:17:54,104 [cheering & applauding] 465 00:17:54,106 --> 00:17:55,639 Sabrina said if you win one of these 466 00:17:55,675 --> 00:17:57,642 Barrel racing championships, you get... 467 00:17:57,777 --> 00:18:00,244 A buckle, so like this one. 468 00:18:00,380 --> 00:18:01,645 Oh, wow. 469 00:18:01,681 --> 00:18:03,848 She keeps it in this blue velvet case. 470 00:18:03,850 --> 00:18:06,584 And when I saw it, I realized why you'd keep it in a case. 471 00:18:06,586 --> 00:18:07,852 It's a beautiful belt buckle. 472 00:18:07,921 --> 00:18:11,055 It's way too cool to go on any belt, even my belt, 473 00:18:11,190 --> 00:18:12,657 Which is pretty cool. 474 00:18:12,792 --> 00:18:14,725 It's black on one side, brown on the other and 475 00:18:14,861 --> 00:18:16,793 This part flips around so you can do it- 476 00:18:16,830 --> 00:18:18,830 It's, it's a cool belt, it's a cool belt. 477 00:18:18,965 --> 00:18:20,631 [laughing] 478 00:18:20,700 --> 00:18:26,804 ♪ 479 00:18:26,873 --> 00:18:29,474 First of all, I guess tell me, what is barrel racing? 480 00:18:29,609 --> 00:18:30,674 So, you have three barrel, 481 00:18:30,710 --> 00:18:32,477 You have to go around each of them, 482 00:18:32,612 --> 00:18:34,412 And then go back to the start line. 483 00:18:34,547 --> 00:18:36,614 And just do it the faster you can. 484 00:18:36,616 --> 00:18:39,816 Barrel racing is a popular sport in gracefield, 485 00:18:39,853 --> 00:18:42,086 And quebec seems to be dominating the sport. 486 00:18:42,088 --> 00:18:43,220 Not only that, more specifically, 487 00:18:43,356 --> 00:18:45,155 The girls of quebec. 488 00:18:45,191 --> 00:18:47,224 -[cheering & applauding] -yeah. 489 00:18:47,226 --> 00:18:49,126 [applauding] 490 00:18:49,128 --> 00:18:50,561 I decided to give it a go. 491 00:18:50,563 --> 00:18:53,464 Sabrina is an excellent coach and trainer. 492 00:18:53,533 --> 00:18:54,932 Slow him down a little. 493 00:18:54,934 --> 00:18:56,501 Yeah, you can slow him down a little. 494 00:18:56,636 --> 00:18:58,836 It will help you to follow more his rhythm. 495 00:18:58,971 --> 00:19:00,137 And there was like ten people, 496 00:19:00,206 --> 00:19:01,973 And anything anybody was doing wrong, 497 00:19:02,108 --> 00:19:04,041 She was monitoring and she would tell you right away. 498 00:19:04,110 --> 00:19:06,377 Perfect, put your hands down, cece. 499 00:19:06,512 --> 00:19:10,448 So, put your shoulder back, and sit down in your saddle. 500 00:19:10,450 --> 00:19:11,649 Oui, parfait. 501 00:19:11,651 --> 00:19:13,517 [speaking french] 502 00:19:13,586 --> 00:19:16,020 At one point, I had- I was holding the reins, 503 00:19:16,089 --> 00:19:18,122 My pinky fingers were outside the reins. 504 00:19:18,124 --> 00:19:19,523 She noticed. 505 00:19:19,592 --> 00:19:21,992 Keep all your fingers in the reins. Yes! 506 00:19:22,061 --> 00:19:23,927 And I was embarrassed, I was like, oh, I don't... 507 00:19:23,963 --> 00:19:26,731 Sometimes I mix up horseback riding and tea sipping. 508 00:19:26,733 --> 00:19:29,066 [laughing] 509 00:19:29,135 --> 00:19:31,101 I wish I could have a life coach like that 510 00:19:31,137 --> 00:19:33,770 Who would just come around with me 24/7, 511 00:19:33,806 --> 00:19:35,806 And just look at me and be like, 'yeah, okay. 512 00:19:35,808 --> 00:19:37,474 Yeah, don't lay your keys there. 513 00:19:37,510 --> 00:19:38,942 You're gonna forget 'em. Yeah, pick 'em up. 514 00:19:38,978 --> 00:19:40,611 Okay, yeah, good. 515 00:19:40,647 --> 00:19:42,413 Tuck in your shirt, tuck in your shirt. 516 00:19:42,482 --> 00:19:43,914 There you go. Peanut butter, 517 00:19:43,983 --> 00:19:45,749 You got some peanut butter right there, see?" 518 00:19:45,818 --> 00:19:47,885 [laughing] 519 00:19:47,954 --> 00:19:51,989 ♪ 520 00:19:51,991 --> 00:19:55,559 ♪ 521 00:19:55,628 --> 00:19:57,094 The farming here has always been tough, 522 00:19:57,230 --> 00:19:59,896 As hauling logs to the river is indeed. 523 00:19:59,898 --> 00:20:02,633 The only cutting corners people do around here is 524 00:20:02,635 --> 00:20:05,836 Rounding barrels on horseback at speed. 525 00:20:05,872 --> 00:20:08,505 Garlic's homegrown, make your dressing your own. 526 00:20:08,541 --> 00:20:11,576 Maybe sneak some cilantro inside there. 527 00:20:11,711 --> 00:20:13,778 And you're in for a treat if you're into your meats. 528 00:20:13,913 --> 00:20:16,180 There's a boucherie here that's to die for. 529 00:20:16,182 --> 00:20:20,651 ♪ 530 00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:22,086 Fields that look like paintings. 531 00:20:22,221 --> 00:20:24,488 Songs that weave a tale. 532 00:20:24,524 --> 00:20:26,591 Like the river weaved its way to the mills, 533 00:20:26,726 --> 00:20:30,194 Life here in gracefield is full of ups and downs, 534 00:20:30,196 --> 00:20:34,531 As are the fields of the rolling gatineau hills. 535 00:20:34,567 --> 00:20:35,799 Thanks for coming out, everybody! 536 00:20:35,868 --> 00:20:37,535 You've been great! Thank you! 537 00:20:37,670 --> 00:20:40,137 [cheering & applauding] 538 00:20:40,273 --> 00:20:42,139 I feel full of love. 539 00:20:42,175 --> 00:20:44,207 He was really funny. 540 00:20:44,344 --> 00:20:49,747 ♪ 541 00:20:49,816 --> 00:20:51,716 It was real nice. I love the pinky joke. 542 00:20:51,851 --> 00:20:53,818 [laughing] 543 00:20:53,820 --> 00:20:57,888 ♪ 544 00:20:58,024 --> 00:20:59,557 Jonny, you're welcome home. 545 00:20:59,559 --> 00:21:01,625 You can spoon with me, jigging puppet with me, 546 00:21:01,694 --> 00:21:03,894 And have fun with me anytime. 547 00:21:03,896 --> 00:21:06,764 ♪ 548 00:21:06,899 --> 00:21:08,899 All the things that jonny said tonight is 549 00:21:08,935 --> 00:21:10,567 The reason why we came here so, 550 00:21:10,603 --> 00:21:12,036 I feel really part of this community now, 551 00:21:12,038 --> 00:21:13,704 That's for sure. 552 00:21:13,740 --> 00:21:18,075 ♪ 553 00:21:18,210 --> 00:21:20,144 No beef with jonny. 554 00:21:20,213 --> 00:21:23,114 ♪