Broken Tine Orchard is a 4th generation family farm dedicated to supplying haskap that their clients can trust and associate with quality. They believe in locally grown food and sustainable agricultural practices. They are a shareholder of Vitalaberry Farms Corp (formerly North 49 Fruit Corporation) that is a large group of haskap growers in Western Canada aimed at growing the industry.
AOTP: How did you get into berry farming?
KA: I am a 4th generation of the farm that was established in 1926. We farm about 2400 acres of land; with a mix of canola, wheat, peas, and barley.
In 2011 we moved into Haskap berry production and opened an entirely new element of farming and marketing. We planted about 19,500 plants over a three year span and it resides on 35 acres of full drip irrigation. The orchard resides on the original homestead land that my Great Grandfather cleared.
AOTP: What does your operation look like now?
KA: Our operation has changed from a producer based operation to a producer/value-add operation. We really try to find our end customer and partner with them to make creations that our customers will enjoy. We are focusing and local direct and large markets with our production; with fresh being only available locally and frozen available in bulk quantities. We focus on partnering with companies to provide value-added products and believe in providing local quality food. Broken Tine also was a founding member of North 49 Fruit Corporation, formed to combine the power of Canadian producers across Canada.
Broken Tine also has a cottage winery license and produced award winning Mead from our berries and honey from orchard. In 2019 we are opening a tasting cabin on the orchard for people to sit, relax, taste and smell different haskap berry foods.
AOTP: What is a favourite memory as a farmer?
KA: My favourite memory was the first time going to a grocery store and finding a product with our berries in them!
AOTP: What products do you sell?
KA: Broken Tine has bulk berries, cold press juice, fresh berries (u-pick and in-store), mead and wine made on farm. The tasting cabin is great for a road trip! Through Vitalaberry, we also have ice cream topping, bakery topping and puree available in bulk.
AOTP: How can restaurants and consumers purchase your products?
KA: Public and food service can purchase our products through Farm direct, food distributers, and grocery stores. Our mead and wine can be bought direct or through AGLC. For the large clients, we will go through Vitalaberry Farms to fill those orders.