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Fresh Facts
Providing knowledge and leadership to grow the farm fresh experience.
Kristin
Kristin Ego MacPhail
OFFMA President
Page 2 Fresh Facts
Classifieds
Fulton’s Pancake House and
FOR SALE Sugar Bush is celebrating 50
Delhaven Orchards Ltd. flippin’ years in their pancake
Frozen pitted sour cherries available house. Fourth and fifth genera-
for wholesale & retail
519-676-4475 tions owners are busy at the
delhaven@ciaccess.com helm and the sixth generation
is making a contribution as
FOR SALE well.
Frozen Strawberries and Frozen
Raspberries-Enjoy Ontario local ber-
ries all year round. Berries have
Stephanie Quinn from Quinn
been frozen on trays and packaged. Farm for becoming the newly
Great for smoothies, baking, jam, elected president of the North
jellies, and fruit wines. For more in- American Direct Farm Market-
formation call Potters Road Ber-
ries 519-842-2723 or nverbrug-
ing Association (NAFDMA).
gen@nor-del.com. The Quinns have always been
very supportive of the direct
FOR SALE farm marketing industry.
Fruit Trees from Silver Creek
Nursery—not your ordinary nursery!
Unique fruit varieties for your PYO,
Darlene Downey, Meghan
organic orchard and cider blends. Snyder and Shane Van
Ask us about retailing our potted Casteren for being elected to
trees at your location. Call 519-804- OFFMA’s Board of Directors.
6060 or email Can’t wait to start working with
steph@silvercreeknursery.ca
you to better our industry.
Get
plugged
Why Do You Join An Association?
into the You don’t buy a newspaper, you buy news.
Members You don’t buy life insurance, you buy security.
Only Face- You don’t buy glasses, you buy vision.
book page. You don’t buy awnings, you buy shade.
Search for Ontario You don’t buy membership in an association….
Farm Fresh Marketing
Association and send You buy the cooperation of people in your pro-
a request to join. A fession with whom you can join hands to do the
great place to share thing you can’t do alone.
ideas, post items you Make OFFMA your association.
may have for sale
and/or are looking The best things in life are the people we love, the
for, for your farm busi- places we’ve been and the memories we’ve made
ness. along the way.
Newsletter #335 Page 3
A heartfelt thank
you to our table
sponsors:
Darling Insurance
Farm Credit Canada
Wellington Produce
Packaging
Outstanding On-Farm Market Award – Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch, Brian, Judy, Heidi and
Will Hugli
To recognize an OFFMA member who has demonstrated outstanding qualities in regards to
their own market as well as the advancement of the industry as a whole. Brian Hugli and his
family run a first class agri-tourism operation in Pembroke. It started with Christmas trees but
the crops have expanded to include pumpkins and blueberries. The Huglis also provide many
innovative experiences on their farm, namely farm weddings, giant pumpkin boat races and pi-
rate parties. Brian is past president of OFFMA and is involved in local politics as well.
Hollis English (left) from Murphy’s Farm Market and Bakery presents the award to Brian, Will
and Judi Hugli from Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch.
Newsletter #335 Page 5
OFFMA’s
Annual Awards
Gala
A night to
celebrate our
industry’s
excellence
Leadership Award – Chris and Christy Hiemstra, Clovermead Apiaries
An award that recognizes an individual(s) who has made a significant contribution to the Direct
Farm Marketing Industry in Ontario through their leadership skills, dedication, enthusiasm and on-
going commitment. Chris and Christy lost their 17 year old son, Jordan, in 2016. He took his life be-
cause he was struggling with his mental illness. Very few people knew about his struggles and
since his death his parents have been working intentionally and tirelessly to shed light on this ill-
ness and help others who may be struggling with it. A brave reaction to this sad tragedy.
Steve Martin (right) from Martin’s Family Fruit Farm presents the Leadership Award to Chris and
Christy Hiemstra from Clovermead.
Some ah-ha moments from the Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention
“When your brand is consistent and clear, it puts your customer at ease.”
“Social media followers are not as valuable as email subscribers.”
“Every question is an opportunity to educate: 95% routine ques-
tions, 3% bad day questions and 2% confrontational questions.”
“If you are selling to everybody, you are selling to nobody.”
“Connection is why people buy from farmers instead of Amazon or
Walmart.”
“Make sure you have several places on your farm that can be used to
create an Instagram moment because today’s little moments become to-
morrow’s precious memories.”
“It took two years of asking to finally get Rick Mercer to the
farm. If you have an idea—don’t give up.”
“When answering tough questions: 1. Keep cool; be friendly and remain
in control. 2.Don’t debate: listen, ask, share. 3. If something is not right on
your operation; identify it, own it and fix it.”
“Brain Recharge—breath, feel, focus. Try and do 5 times a day.”
“Think progress not perfection.”
Page 8 Fresh Facts
Upcoming Events
Nov. OFFMA’s Bus Tour to Nashville, details will be available in early summer.
Ontario Farm Fresh On February 13th, in her 83rd year, Susan Heeman left this
Cathy Bartolic, Executive Director world to join her husband, Bill, just in time to spend Valen-
PO Box 250 Gormley Post Office tine’s Day together.
Gormley, ON L0H 1G0 Susan grew up the youngest of 9 siblings, in Holland, where
Ph: 905-506-0371 Fax: 647-556-7254
E-mail: info@ontariofarmfresh.com her family grew carnations. She learned about flowers from
www.ontariofarmfresh.com a young age and continued to develop that passion all
2019-20 OFFMA Board of Directors through her life. Susan met her husband, Bill, at a dance in
Kristin Ego MacPhail, President her hometown and after getting married, she and Bill set
Ego Nurseries Ltd. sail for a new life in Canada.
Steve Martin, Past President
Martin’s Family Fruit Farm
Susan was a strong and guiding matriarch for the Heeman
Erin McLean, Vice President family, always keeping family first. She was a deeply caring and proud mother,
McLean Berry Farm grandmother, great grandmother and foster mother.
Paul Baxter, Associate Member Over many years serving guests at Heeman’s, she formed close bonds with many in
Baxter’s Kitchen
Darlene Downey, Downey’s Farm Market the community. Earlier this month, Susan and Bill were inducted in the Middlesex
& Estate Winery County Agriculture Hall of Fame for their contributions to the sector and communi-
Colleen McKay, Your Farm Market ty.
Jordan McKay, Willowtree Farm
Meghan Snyder, Snyder’s Family Farm Susan’s presence will be missed but she will not be forgotten. She lives on in the
Shane Van Casteren, Nicholyn Farms memories of friends, the teachings she shared with her children and grandchildren
Karen Whitty, Whitty Farms
Jessica Kelly, OMAFRA Advisor
and a strong and proud legacy she leaves behind.