The Evolution of Farming: Woman in Agriculture and Young Farmer Forum

BY LILIAN SCHAER

Jen Smith of Cherrylane Farms and David and Jenn VanDeVelde of Wholesome Pickins Market and Bakery are wonderful examples of the future of Ontario farming. Their commitment to success provides the key messaging in this year’s Woman in Agriculture breakfast and Young Farmer Forum luncheon. Here’s a brief snapshot of their incredible journeys.

Jen Smith

My Life as a FarmHer

Cherrylane Farms in Vineland, Ontario is Canada’s only producer of 100% of concentrated tart cherry juice, as well as being a largely female-run business. The 400-acre fruit farm, which produces pears, peaches and tart cherries, has been in the Smith family for 10 generations, and President and COO Jen Smith shares some of her perspectives farming female.

Cherrylane Farms is known as a woman-owned and largely women-run business. What advantages does this bring?

It wasn’t a strategic decision, it just kind of happened. Women were slowly starting to be recognized as CEOs, presidents, and owners of their own companies. Women supporting women is extremely important to me, and people knowing that Cherrylane is being run by women is helpful in the success of our business.

What do you see as the biggest opportunities for women in the ag sector?

The opportunities are endless. Today, there should be nothing stopping a woman from reaching her goals in agriculture. Rely on your skills, and use your intuition, adaptability, multitasking, persuasiveness, and resilience to reach your goals.

What advice do you have to other women in the sector, particularly young women and new female farmers and farm workers?

Do it. You will never regret being a part of the agricultural sector. It most definitely is not a typical 9-5 job; it’s full of challenges, but knowing that you are making a difference in the world by growing fruits and vegetables is the greatest reward that you can have.

The Women in Agriculture breakfast is taking place Thursday, February 23 at 8:00 am in The Lounge.

Jenn and David VanDeVelde

Young Farmer Forum: The Cynic and The Dreamer

Meet Jenn and David VanDeVelde, fruit and vegetable growers, farm market owners, and Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2022.

The University of Guelph graduates own Wholesome Pickins Market and Bakery, producing strawberries, raspberries, asparagus, pumpkins, squash and field crops near Delhi, Ontario. They also run an on-farm market from April to Christmas, which includes a fullyfrom-scratch bakery and savory kitchen.

“Our growth has been driven from two angles – wanting to be innovative and trying something new on the hort side paired with getting to know our customers and creating a one-stop-shop so people can get everything they need for a weekend getaway or to top up their week’s groceries,” explains Jenn.

The market is best known for its high-quality strawberries, notes Jenn, but the bakery is also gaining a strong following – and the VanDeVeldes are focused on continued growth and innovation to expand their business.

“Our industry is changing, and we have to change with it,” she believes. “There are challenges, but a farmer is always an optimist in my mind and that mentality of can do, will do will continue to persevere.”

The Outstanding Young Farmer competition involves a rigorous process of evaluating and presenting the farm business, but also provides an opportunity to get to know other young farmers from across the country.

“There is such value in the interaction with people from all sectors of ag and the program was a really rewarding experience for us,” she says.

The Young Farmer Forum luncheon is taking place Thursday, February 23 at 12:00 pm in The Lounge.