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VanHart Greenhouses is a family owned organic farm operated by husband and wife team Ron and Loretta VanHart. The VanHart family legacy of greenhouse growing began in the early 1900's on a small farm in Holland. In 1949, Ron's father John immigrated to Canada and started a 45-acre vegetable plantation in the Holland Marsh. This was the farm that Ron was raised on and John used to teach his son the growing techniques he had learned from his own father. |
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In 1975, father and son formed an official partnership as
John VanHart & Son. By 1979 they were one of the largest lettuce
producers in Ontario with crops spanning 75 acres. During this time
they performed extensive research on the results of chemicals in the
growing process and worked on perfecting greenhouse farming. John
encouraged Ron to look into the idea of organic agriculture. He suggested they take Holland's newest technological breakthroughs for greenhouses and biological control and try it in the Holland Marsh. |
| The pair studied greenhouse structure and environments for fifteen years before finally finding a successful formula for organics. In 1994, Ron and Loretta VanHart built a ten thousand square foot state-of-the-art glass greenhouse in order to put their knowledge of organics to the test. Unfortunately, that year John lost his fight with cancer and was unable to see his dream of organic growing realized. John's memory and knowledge however, were carried on by his son Ron under the label of VanHart Greenhouses: All Organic. |
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Ron and Loretta now produce a wide-range of delicious organics including their famous tomatoes and edible flowers. Their produce is available at 6 farmers' markets and even featured in local restaurants. For a complete list of locations, click here. |