Corn Acre Farms
Neil, Gale Banks & Family, Owners
www.cornacrefarms.com
www.facebook.com/cornacrefarms
1757 Summers Road, Lyndhurst ON, K0E 1N0
613-928-2977
cornacres@ripnet.com
Tell us about yourself! Hobbies? Fun facts? How did you get started?
Our sweet corn and market garden business evolved from our already established grain business which consisted of growing, grinding and selling corn, soybeans and other grains to area farmers. We had also studied corn and soil health through Guelph University correspondent courses. We found that growing and selling sweet corn gave us a full season, along with milking cows and drying grain corn for other mills and farmers. Shortly after starting to grow regular sweet corn a company advertised a new super sweet variety with a price of an ounce the same as a pound of any other. We figured it had to be good and as it turned out it was exceptional, and led to a booming wholesale business. We supplied most grocery stores in the surrounding area, Kingston, Brockville, Perth and in-between. Customers from as far away as Toronto and Ottawa would even make a special trip to pick up larger quantities of corn to take back in the fall to freeze.
Define your business in your own words.
Over the years we added other vegetables, always trying to purchase the best seeds for flavour. Sweet corn and other vegetables have come a long why over the 55+ years. We grow new and heirloom varieties to give a good selection. We quit milking, dropped most wholesale and focused on farmers markets and our farm stand Wendy’s Wigwam, now Wendy and Rick run Wendy’s Country Market at that location also carrying CORN ACRE FARMS produce. What makes us unique on the markets is that we offer produce grown under different farming practices. Conventional and the old fashion way, nothing added to the plant or soil and totally isolated from other crops. Customers rave about the flavours of the vegetables that are harvested from that nutrient rich area. With our son and grandson, we grow grain corn, soybean, hay and other grains and sell them on the farm and sell larger quantities to the local elevator. The winter months are spent in the forest, and again with Neil’s help our son and grandson process and sell wood.
What business achievement are you most proud of?
We are proud that we were able to acquire a good agriculture land base and farm that will be sustainable for future generations. We are also very proud that over the years we have given numerous young people jobs and exposure to various responsibilities related to market gardening.
Why did you choose Leeds and the Thousand Islands to start your business?
Both Neil and Gale’s parents and ancestors were part of the history of Leeds and the Thousand Islands, so it was only fitting we continued expanding and diversifying.
What words would you use to describe Leeds and the Thousand Islands?
We always tell customers we live in one of the safest and most beautiful places there is and still a close commute to the larger cities in Ontario and Northern USA.
Provide a message to your future guests!
When crops are in season watch for our CORN ACRE FARM signs in Gananoque and on our farm at Wendy’s Country Market or at the Brockville Farmers Market. We only sell vegetables we grow so be sure to ask about our farming practices.
Corn Acre Farms described in one word:
Flavourful