Canada’s oldest successfully grown variety of wheat has found a home at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village east of Edmonton.
Red Fife is heritage spring wheat and is a “landrace” variety meaning there is genetic variability in the wheat allowing it to adapt to diverse growing conditions. It is named after David Fife, who first grew the wheat in 1842 in southern Ontario. The wheat had high milling qualities and was known for making exceptional baked goods with extremely white flour; an ideal still in favour today.
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The plant is characterized by three little awns at the top of its head, but is a beardless wheat variety. The plant can grow from three to five feet tall depending on the growing conditions and soil quality. All varieties of red spring wheat owe their ancestry to this grain. Red Fife grew out of favour due to its low resistance to rust and requirement for a longer growing season. It was replaced by Marquis and then other new and improved varieties. It was also used to develop new varieties of wheat.
This historic breed of grain was reintroduced at the Ukrainian Village using two sources: from a farmer located near Westlock, and the Loehr Organic Project out of St. Mary’s Abby, Muenster, Saskatchewan. The initial quantity allowed the staff to plant three acres on the museum land. Every year since, the bulk of seeds harvested are saved for planting in the next year, while some is used for a variety of historic activities and demonstrations.
The provincial historic site is open daily to the public 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from mid-May until the September long weekend. For more information, call 780-662-3640 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access within Alberta) or visit www.ukrainianvillage.ca
