Early Years
Vineland Experimental Farm buildings, 1914-1915
This early photo of the Horticultural Research Station in Vineland shows the Administration Building on the left and the Director's Residence on the right.
The land for the Horticultural Research Station (HES) in Vineland was donated by Moses Rittenhouse. Rittenhouse was a wealthy businessman who made his fortune in lumber and donated land and money to his home community of Vineland. In 1906, he donated 90 acres of farmland to the Ontario government for the establishment of a Research Station. The provincial government provided equipment, staff, and supplies for the new facility.
Prior to the establishment of the Station in Vineland, there were 15 Fruit Experiment Stations in Ontario. They were operated on grower-owned land in cooperation with the Ontario government and the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association. The establishment of the Vineland Research Station met the need for more advanced experimental work with professional, full-time staff dedicated to variety testing and agricultural problems such as soil management and pest control. The Station also worked on the breeding of new varieties suited to Ontario conditions and markets.
The Rittenhouse School was located next to the farm and contained a library and museum to support studies in natural sciences. The manicured grounds and gardens provided students with hands-on, practical experience in horticultural studies.
