McAlisters is a fourth generation family farm.
Jonathan McAlister purchased the farm in 1921, but soon afterwards he married and needed someone to ‘hold the fort’ while he was away on honeymoon.
Stepping up to the plate to help his uncle out was Noel’s father - another Jonathan - and he never left the farm!
Jonathan (the second) eventually took over the apple farm, when Jonathan McAlister’s (Noel’s father) took sick. Noel then left school to take on the farm.