Nestled along the north shore of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada, Manitoulin Island  and is one of the most diverse rural spots you’ll find anywhere. It’s a place of forest, farmland, over 100 inland lakes and ocean-like shore along the Lake Huron coast. More than one person has described Manitoulin as “forever on the fringe”. The abundance and diversity of birds and wildlife here is remarkable, and it exists in unusual harmony with the beef cattle on the Island.

Although Manitoulin residents consider themselves northerners, the landscape and climate is more like southern Ontario. Even though Manitoulin borders the granite rock and white pines of the Canadian Shield to the north, it’s a limestone island reminiscent of southern Ontario a century ago. Forested with a mix of cedar, poplar, spruce, hard maple, oak and beech, cattle raised on Manitoulin enjoy an uncommon mix of pastures, grasslands and access to the shade of forest trees.

Manitoulin’s century-old agricultural heritage does a lot to lend a character of settlement to the land. Three-generation family farms are common enough to be ordinary. Several full-service towns show what rural life can be like when the nearest Wal-Mart is three hours drive away. Where else but on Manitoulin could you find a town of 900 people that boasts two pharmacies, a new car dealership, a modern grocery store, the district courthouse, an elementary school, nursing home, doctor/dentist’s clinic, an outstanding health food store, a modern ambulance base, a complete library, summer theatre, a hair salon, restaurants, curling and skating rinks, and a golf course. 

If you end up liking our beef so much you decide to move to Manitoulin, all we ask is that you don’t change anything! We like island life here just as it is.