Our farm grows a variety of vegetables alongside grain, with our main crops being Brussels sprouts, peas, sweet corn, green beans, and peppers. Right now, we’re standing in front of our pepper field, which is primarily for export to the U.S. The rest of our vegetables are processed here in Ontario.
We have a small, tight-knit team, with five full-time Canadian staff and seasonal migrant workers who come in the spring to help with planting, then return in the fall for harvest. Many of our seasonal workers have been with us for decades, and we’ve built a bit of a family here. They’ve been crucial to our growth and success in this industry—some have been with us for over 20 years. Ivan who’s here today, has been working with us for a long time, and his father retired after 25 years on our farm. His brother Danny is part of our team too, so we’re a bit like family.
The staff team tell me they earn four to five times more per day than they would back home, which makes a big difference in their lives. But it’s tough for them to be away from their families for such long periods, and we deeply appreciate the sacrifices they make to be here. Some have used the money they’ve earned to improve their farms back home, which is incredibly rewarding to see. We’re truly thankful for everything our crew does for us.
The work and dedication of the seasonal workers is invaluable, not just to our farm but to the entire agricultural industry. Without them, crops like peppers and Brussels sprouts wouldn’t be possible on our farm, and we’d all have to rely on imports—leading to higher costs and lower-quality produce. I’m incredibly grateful for everything they do and proud of the relationship we’ve built over the years.