Better Farming – September 2016

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24 Farm News First > Better Farming September 2016
FIELDTRIP
From left, sisters Julia Nedeljkovich,
Stephanie Mrksic and Monica
Nedeljkovich pick their last corn for
the day around 8:30 a.m. in late July.
The three started working at Herrle’s
when they turned 14. Stephanie, the
oldest, has returned for her 10th year.
Experienced help is crucial in manag-
ing 600 acres, 300 acres of which is
vegetable and fruit crops and over 130
acres of which is sweet corn.
Michelle points out the remnants of a biodegradable plastic row cover that James
sourced from Samco Agricultural Manufacturing Ltd. of Ireland. Family members
believe it degrades more quickly than other products they have tried. The row
cover is laid down with the corn to promote early growth by trapping moisture and
heat in the soil around the roots.
Michelle Herrle and her husband, James, discuss the morning’s plans outside the
shipping and receiving area. James grew up working on the farming operation
with his father, Howard, and now is in charge of field production and harvests.
Michelle started picking corn for the family in 1989, the year after the market
opened, and soon befriended James. She says their friendship blossomed into
love and they married in 1992. Michelle is in charge of the market’s human
resources and communications.
Joanne Herrle-Braun, sister of James,
stocks a fridge with flavoured corn
butter. The product was adapted from a
recipe for their niece’s wedding a week
prior and went on sale at the market
days after receiving rave reviews
during the festivities. The butter
reflects how innovative value-added
products can be introduced on a trial
basis for relatively low economic risk
at a farmers market.
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