It is Seeds of Success Day… A look at leaders in the local agriculture sector, brought to you by: King Automotive Campbellford and Brighton Tire.
Ontario is a leading powerhouse in a lot of farming categories – and that couldn’t be done without local farmers.
Quick facts- Ontario produces 57% of sweet corn in Ontario, completely eclipsing Quebec in second place at 32%.
Did you know field tomatoes are considered the second-most important crop in terms of value? The crop generated over $116-million in 2020, with 98% production concentrated in Ontario.
The most valuable crops are carrots – Generating $131-million in 2020. Ontario held the title for largest producer of that as well, producing 49% of crops.
It’s no wonder why Ontario is such a behemoth when it comes to agriculture, especially when you consider the land we’re working with. A total of 5% of Ontario’s land is suitable for agriculture. Here in Northumberland, 67% of agricultural land falls within the prime agricultural category, spanning soil classes 1 to 3, making it ideal for robust crop production.
For the final Seeds of Success Day on GoNorthumberland, we spoke with Northumberland’s own Paul Burnham. Burnham works a cash crop operation and the Burnham fruits and vegetable Market. Burnham says working independently pays huge benefits.
Burnham says he grows at least ten different types of fruits and vegetables, including apples. Apples grown in Northumberland account for 4.8% of the provincial acreage dedicated to apple farming, a remarkable 50% higher than the provincial average. From juicy apples fresh off the tree to delicious apple pies, Burnham says he grows a ton of variteties to choose from.
Burnham told us the challenges of working in the agriculture industry. He says it’s hard to have a work/life balance when you live at the jobsite but its helped supported his whole family.
Statistics Canada says Ontario’s agri-food sector has supported more than 861,000 jobs. Burnham says he’s grateful his family can be part of that.
You can find Burnham’s family at the Burnham Family Farm Market at 7760 County Road 2, Cobourg.
Written by: Noah Lorusso
