It’s Next Gen Farmers Day, brought to you by Guardian Home Services. We’re looking into the lives’ of some of Northumberland’S extraordinary young farmers, including Mark Burnham.
Farmers feed cities and this one farm in particular has been a staple in Northumberland for over two decades.
Mark is part of the 7th generation on the Burnham Family Farm, which includes a cash crop, horticulture, and farm market operations.
His sister Jen also owns Maplewood Stables just down the road on County Road 2.
You could say it’s a bit of family affair, as he and all of his sisters have followed in the footsteps of his parents, grandparents and great grandparents.
Jen is 39, Mark is 37, and Katie and Amy are in their early 30’s. Katie works in the market and Amy is involved in the horticultural operation.
2019 marked the 25th anniversary of Burnham Family Farm Market, which opened its doors in 1994, after Mark’s parents sold their cattle farm when he was 12.
Mark’s parents, Anne and Paul Burnham, opened the market with the idea for it to be an avenue to provide their community with fresh and local produce. Mark adds that community is a big part of agriculture and that buying local food is more environmentally conscious.
Mark originally went to University for Engineering but then saw the need to return to the family farm. He says that he’s learned a lot since returning and he is most passionate about machinery and agronomics, adding that the Burnham farm is quite advanced with their use of technology, using it to their advantage to be more economical and environmentally conscious, which he says is the direction the industry is going. But he admits that there is a labour shortage so automation really helps.
Mark hopes to inspire other youth and would entertain any interest from that labour sector.
This seven-generation family farm is located between Cobourg and Port Hope, growing seasonal fruits and veggies and selling other products from across Ontario.
As the market continues to grow, Anne and Paul Burnham are planning for their daughter Katie to take over the market operation. She has worked alongside her parents for 17 years and is taking over aspects of the leadership. Today they act as co-managers and they are thrilled to see their legacy live on through their children.
Click the audio link below to hear the full interview with MBC’s Jenny McCaig.
