Family farm harvests award
By BARBARA SIMPSON, SIMCOE REFORMER
July 4th, 2011
A state-of-the-art harvester has helped a Simcoe family farm remain competitive in the blueberry marketplace.
The Zelem family that operates Kent Kreek Berries, west of Simcoe, invested in a harvester that cleans,
sorts and grades blueberries four years ago. While it was a costly investment, the machinery has paid off tenfold,
allowing the family farm to save on labour costs and enter the processing marketplace.
Kent Kreek Berries was formally recognized for its innovation in Ancaster June 24. Owners Jeff and Paula Zelem,
along with their children, picked up a regional award during the Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation
Excellence ceremony.
"It makes me really proud of our accomplishments," Jeff said of the honour.
Starting with only four acres of blueberries, the Zelems have grown their family farm over the last 12 years.
They now have 10 acres of blueberries, six acres of strawberries, three acres of pumpkin and squash, and an acre
of raspberries.
While the bounty is plenty, Kent Kreek Berries, like other small farm operations, struggle to get their produce
onto grocery store shelves. Many simply cannot compete with cheap imported produce.
To remain competitive, the Zelems invested in a Korvan blueberry harvester. The self-guided equipment shakes
blueberry bushes and sends only ripened ones to a top conveyor. The berries are then sorted and graded.
They are then packed into 30-pound totes.
Only a handful of helpers are needed to run the harvester. Traditionally, a 40-member crew was enlisted to pick
the 10 acres of blueberries on the farm.
"That's the hardest thing," Jeff said yesterday. "Blueberries are generally handpicked and wage costs are high,
so this is our only way to be competitive with B.C. and U.S. berries."
The harvester can also pick quicker than pairs of hands. It can handle between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds of
berries per hour.
With its expenses lowered, Kent Kreek Berries can now sell their blueberries at a more competitive rate.
They have been able to enter the processing marketplace, selling their berries to fresh frozen operations.
"We sold some last year to Naturally Norfolk," Jeff said.
The Zelems plan to add another four acres of blueberries this fall.
They also introduced a market at their farm last year. Consumers can pick up fresh produce, pies and even
candles made by Paula in one place.
While the family still juggles jobs outside of the farm, Jeff hopes it will become a self-sustaining venture soon.
"It's still not enough to make ends meet, but it's getting there," he added.
A total of 55 innovators across the province picked up regional awards. Kent Kreek Berries was the only Norfolk
recipient this year.
By BARBARA SIMPSON, SIMCOE REFORMER
July 4th, 2011
A state-of-the-art harvester has helped a Simcoe family farm remain competitive in the blueberry marketplace.
The Zelem family that operates Kent Kreek Berries, west of Simcoe, invested in a harvester that cleans,
sorts and grades blueberries four years ago. While it was a costly investment, the machinery has paid off tenfold,
allowing the family farm to save on labour costs and enter the processing marketplace.
Kent Kreek Berries was formally recognized for its innovation in Ancaster June 24. Owners Jeff and Paula Zelem,
along with their children, picked up a regional award during the Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation
Excellence ceremony.
"It makes me really proud of our accomplishments," Jeff said of the honour.
Starting with only four acres of blueberries, the Zelems have grown their family farm over the last 12 years.
They now have 10 acres of blueberries, six acres of strawberries, three acres of pumpkin and squash, and an acre
of raspberries.
While the bounty is plenty, Kent Kreek Berries, like other small farm operations, struggle to get their produce
onto grocery store shelves. Many simply cannot compete with cheap imported produce.
To remain competitive, the Zelems invested in a Korvan blueberry harvester. The self-guided equipment shakes
blueberry bushes and sends only ripened ones to a top conveyor. The berries are then sorted and graded.
They are then packed into 30-pound totes.
Only a handful of helpers are needed to run the harvester. Traditionally, a 40-member crew was enlisted to pick
the 10 acres of blueberries on the farm.
"That's the hardest thing," Jeff said yesterday. "Blueberries are generally handpicked and wage costs are high,
so this is our only way to be competitive with B.C. and U.S. berries."
The harvester can also pick quicker than pairs of hands. It can handle between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds of
berries per hour.
With its expenses lowered, Kent Kreek Berries can now sell their blueberries at a more competitive rate.
They have been able to enter the processing marketplace, selling their berries to fresh frozen operations.
"We sold some last year to Naturally Norfolk," Jeff said.
The Zelems plan to add another four acres of blueberries this fall.
They also introduced a market at their farm last year. Consumers can pick up fresh produce, pies and even
candles made by Paula in one place.
While the family still juggles jobs outside of the farm, Jeff hopes it will become a self-sustaining venture soon.
"It's still not enough to make ends meet, but it's getting there," he added.
A total of 55 innovators across the province picked up regional awards. Kent Kreek Berries was the only Norfolk
recipient this year.