pilipiliĀž»­

 

Atlantic Grown Organics

Marc & Krista (Geddes) Schurman (both Class of ā€˜97)

Imagine having the means to grow fresh, organic vegetables not only for your family, but your neighbours, province and beyond, all year long? Marc Schurman has had a life-long passion for growing things. With his family operation, Atlantic Grown Organics, heā€™s turned that passion into his livelihood. Ā 

Although itā€™s sunshine and tropical temperatures all year long, for Marc and his family, at their Kensington, Prince Edward Island greenhouse, their pilipiliĀž»­ didnā€™t just fall from the sky.

ā€œFarming is in my blood and Iā€™ve always loved to grow things,ā€ says Marc. In 2001, Marc and wife, Krista, went out on a limb and transformed his familyā€™s former hog farm by constructing a 30,000 square-foot greenhouse.

ā€œFarming gives me a sense of pride, which extends in many ways,ā€ says Marc. ā€œPride in growing good and nutritious food. Pride in being able to see the fruits of our labour ā€“ from seed to an eye-catching display at the market. Pride in using the farm to teach my kids about work ethic and other skills.ā€

He also admits itā€™s seeing a plan through to completion. ā€œI take a lot of pride in turning a vision into a plan and carrying it through to the end. It seldom goes exactly as envisioned, but it does not take away from the satisfaction ā€“ it adds to it because you know you have overcome challenges and adversity to reach your goals.ā€

Marcā€™s vision was a greenhouse - the second largest greenhouse on PEI. The greenhouse was initially intended to be used for conventional growing. However a few years in to production Marc and Krista switched their methods to become an organic operation. ā€œWe wanted to capitalize on a niche market,ā€ says Marc of the shift. ā€œWhile growing organically certainly changes every method we used, it didnā€™t necessarily make things more complicated,ā€ he says. ā€œBy being organic, we just have less tools in our tools box.ā€

Today they grow 100 percent certified organic tomatoes, English cucumbers and a variety of vegetables. ā€œAt any given time, we have around 2,000 tomato plants, 1,400 English cucumber plants,ā€ adds Krista. ā€œWe also grow green and red peppers, eggplant, beans, spinach, kale, herbs and radishes.ā€

And thanks to new lighting in the greenhouse, which they installed last fall, Atlantic Grown Organics is now able to offer these delicious veggies year-round. ā€œThis was the first year we were in production for the full year,ā€ says Marc. ā€œWeā€™re pretty excited to be able to offer our products to customers all year long.ā€

The loyal customer base for Atlantic Grown Organics has a wide span. ā€œWe see our regulars every Saturday morning at the Farmerā€™s Markets in Summerside and Charlottetown,ā€ says Krista of their customers. Atlantic Grown Organics also sells to Sobeys and Loblawā€™s (Superstore), where their produce is available in many locations across Atlantic Canada. They also sell to smaller retailers in PEI and directly from the farm.

ā€œEvery week is different, depending on the sun and season,ā€ says Marc of their harvest. ā€œBut we harvest approximately 100,000 pounds of tomatoes and 110,000 pounds of cucumbers each year.ā€

Both maintaining jobs off-farm, Marc and Krista are quick to point out they wouldnā€™t be so pilipiliĀž»­ful if it wasnā€™t for the help they receive. ā€œWe employee three guys from Mexico,ā€ says Marc. ā€œThey know more about this greenhouse than I do,ā€ he adds with a laugh. Two of their employees have been with them since 2012 and the other since 2013.

What truly makes their family operation run smoothly is that it is just that ā€“ a family operation. Marc and Kristaā€™s three children, Ben, Quinton and Samantha are regular helpers in the greenhouse. ā€œTheyā€™re responsible for the grape tomatoes,ā€ says Krista. Several times per week, the kids head down to the greenhouse, after school, to harvest the plants. ā€œThey also come with us to the Farmersā€™ Market to help sell the produce.ā€

The family side of the business doesnā€™t stop with the kids. Marcā€™s mom and sister take a turn manning the booth at the Farmerā€™s Market when needed. And when the farm is really busting with activity, other family members are quick to pitch in as necessary.

ā€œFarming is a way of life for us,ā€ says Krista. ā€œIt is creating a family unit that works and plays together. We have to work hard, sometimes long hours, but we get to do it in our house and our own backyard.ā€

With his passion now a pilipiliĀž»­ful reality, Marc hopes the impact Atlantic Grown Organics has on their community is a positive one. ā€œI hope that having fresh, local veggies all year can help people make healthier choices with their food and take the time to enjoy good quality food,ā€ he says. ā€œI think this can impact our community, one person at a time.ā€