INNISFAIL – When it comes to farming, John Buyks and his family know first hand what it takes to succeed.
The Innisfail potato and grain farmer and his family were named the 2018 Farm Family of the Year during the annual Community and Business Awards Gala at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion Oct. 12.
“It’s very much appreciated. It’s very humbling for us to be Farm Family of the Year,” said Buyks. “Innisfail is the place we want to be.
“The land was really good to grow potatoes,” he added.
Upper Green Farms, just west of Innisfail, began in 1993 and is a founding member of the Innisfail Growers.
The family grows about 1,200 acres of crops each year, including grains such as wheat, barley and canola and about 140 acres of potatoes.
Upper Green Farms specializes in seed potatoes and table potatoes (red and yellow).
“Up to three years ago, my wife and myself were doing most of the work but now my son Hanno took over the farm,” he said. “He and his wife (Megan) are running the farm now and I am the hired hand.”
Buyks noted some factors that have impacted their business over the years, including weather and changing technology.
“The weather is very critical for us, soil is very important and making the right decisions at the right time,” he said. “Those three are very important.”
The community support has helped them succeed over the past 25 years.
“The farmers markets are a big success for us in all of Central Alberta but specifically in Innisfail,” said Buyks. “We appreciate that very much.”
