Asparagus harvest season is active in southern Ontario, with operations commencing at Kerr Farms in Chatham-Kent, where 54 acres of organic asparagus are cultivated. The harvesting period extends from early May to mid-to-late June. Bob Kerr, the farm's owner, reported a successful start to the season, emphasizing the importance of avoiding frost, which poses a significant risk to the crop. Kerr, with experience in asparagus farming since 1969, manages the manual collection of approximately 75 tons of asparagus annually.
The plant, capable of growing up to 25 centimeters in a day under optimal conditions, is harvested by workers from Trinidad and Mexico. These workers utilize personal motorized buggies to navigate the fields. The harvested asparagus is then distributed to local wholesalers and markets on the eastern seaboard of the U.S.
Kerr reflected on the challenges and fluctuations in the market, noting the impact of inflation and market demand on sales. He highlighted the benefits of organic farming in maintaining a more stable supply and demand balance, attributing this to careful soil management and the enhancement of microbial life, which benefits plant nutrition and results in high-quality asparagus.
Source: windsor.ctvnews.ca