As Canadian farmers navigate unpredictable weather, the rising price of diesel and changing consumer demand, many are reimagining their business model. With farm operating expenses up 5% year-over-year, outpacing the growth of farm cash receipts, farmers are responding with resourcefulness and innovation to uncover new opportunities for growth.
At Butters Farms, located east of St. Thomas Ontario, brothers Patrick and Christopher Butters have grown their family business to become a major player in the fall market – by expanding to ornamental pumpkins and gourds.
While the product makes up only 10% of their crops, it brings in 50% of their overall revenue, sold in major grocery retail locations across the country.
Patrick Butters speaks about:
How the growing popularity of fall lifestyle trends shapes their business strategy
How they’re planning for intensified El Niño weather impacts this winter
The evolution of their family farm from cash crops to a fall phenomenon
The farm’s relationship as a client with TD Agriculture Servics and how that’s helped the business overall.