Joe reaping success with chicken farm

When Arthur Medford purchased the old Bonadie poultry farm in Clare Valley, he probably never envisioned that 12 years later he would still be supplying the majority of the country’s supermarkets with what he considers the best locally produced chicken in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

Medford, more affectionately known as ‘Joe’, has grown to supply more than the five or so regulars that the farm had been supplying to dozens of business places and individuals nationwide.

Over the years, his business has grown to include livestock (sheep and goats) and he also supplies Julie mangoes which are shipped as far away as Martinique and Canada.

According to the 60-year-old Medford, helping out on his father’s farm on the Castle Grant Estate in Lowmans Leeward as a youngster prepared him for the hard work that is his current profession.

His poultry farming career was put on hold when he migrated to Canada at the age of 21. While there he met and married his wife Leanah Greaves; a union which produced two boys and one girl.

Medford was employed with General Motors Company for 22 years, and after the factory’s closure in 2003 he returned home.

It was shortly after his return home that he was approached by the late Vivian Bonadie who indicated that he was looking for a person capable of running his troubled chicken farm.

Three years later, Medford took full control of the business and moved it to Castle Grant Estate.

There are approximately 4000 birds at the farm currently, and with the other aspects of farming that are taking place, Medford intends to continue supplying his old customers, as well as any newcomers seeking the best products in the country. (KR/JJ)