Farmer Name: Remi Van De Slyke
Farm Name: King Lake Farms
Farm Location: Between Langton and Straffordville, Ontario. The western most part of Norfolk County and the easternmost part of Elgin County.
Approximately, how many acres are under your care?
400 acres.
How long have you been farming?
Since 1995. Yes, it is a family farm. It started with my dad and my brothers. My dad bought the farm with his mother, so I guess I’m technically the second generation to farm. Since then, my brothers and I have gone our separate ways, so we have several farms between us. We often help each other out. It’s nice to work together, but we are not in business together.
Why did you choose to become a farmer?
It’s something I grew up in and I enjoy it. I couldn’t see myself living or doing anything else. It’s part of the culture here of farming – I have strong ties with the land and I just feel close here.
Why did you choose to farm?
It’s something I grew up in and I enjoy it. I couldn’t see myself living or doing anything else. It’s part of the culture here of farming – I have strong ties with the land and I just feel close here.
What unique challenges do ginseng growers face?
There’s of course weather; ginseng is very particular about its growing conditions. Export market conditions are also something we have to consider. Almost all of our crop is exported, so we have to be aware of what is happening politically and economically in Asia.
Do you or your family members consume ginseng?
Yes, I consume ginseng tablets. When I’m harvesting I’m always nibbling on a root. My wife likes to experiment with different recipes. Right now, she just made a zucchini bread and she put ginseng in it – things like that. She calls it a healthy farmer loaf.
Who works on the farm with you?
My wife and I. We have two children, but they aren’t old enough yet. We hire local people to help, too. My main workforce is four people – a father, two sons and their cousin. I’ve worked with them for 10 years. Then, when I have seasonal work, the neighbours come and help. I try to recruit a lot of local help.
What sustainable practices are you incorporating on the farm?
For starters, I utilize my labour well. We’re very efficient work-wise for an operation our size. We put in a full day and we work smart, not hard. When it comes to farming practices, we make sure there’s no waste. We try to use every piece of land we have. We grow a lot of the inputs that we use for ginseng as well, like straw for example. We also repurpose a lot of old farm machinery to make it work for our operation, often using it for more than one type of crop.
What would you like to see from the future of ginseng farming in Ontario?
I’d like to see this industry be viable and thrive in the coming years, not just now, but for the next generation. And that’s why the OGGA is doing a lot of research on replant disease. We want to make sure ginseng stays around and will continue to be an important part of the area. Ginseng has a long of history here, but it can too easily be cut short if we are not careful of how we plan ahead. It’s part of Canadian heritage.
What do you enjoy most about being a ginseng farmer?
The camaraderie of other ginseng farmers. It’s fun to talk to them. There’s always something new and interesting to do on the farm. There’s never a dull moment and I always tell people who want to get into ginseng, forget what you know about business. Ginseng is a totally different crop and a totally different type of farming. But, if you have the positive mental state to stick with it, work hard, and go through the ups and downs, you’ll be successful.