by VAN HANSEN
Hugh W. Drummond is the sixth-generation owner and operator of Drummond Farms / Belvedere Orchards in Waterdown, ON.
And with his modern controlled atmosphere storage facility, he can now supply fresh off the tree tasting fruit all year round.
Hugh’s background is in the mining industry, and he continues to work short-term contracts in Canada and around the world during the farms off-season. He studied Mining Engineering Technology, graduating from the Haileybury School of Mines, and Laurentian University.
This month Van interviewed Hugh at Drummond Farms.
Next Gen Farming
Van: Was it always in the works for you to return home and take the reins of the family apple business?
Hugh: As an only child I was told to go work for somebody else and get your education so that the farm would be here if you need it or if you want to come back to do it. The opportunity was right in 2016 and it was just a dream come true to take over the family farm again. The farm has been in the family since the 1800s, and that’s the way I’d like to keep it.
Van: With your production at 2 million pounds, how big is your distribution zone?
Hugh: There are some large wholesalers that will come in and purchase the apples and take them by transport truck to the (Ontario) Food Terminal or other locations. So the majority of the apples have been just for Ontario. One year when Nova Scotia didn't have a very good crop, some of the apples went there, but they're all for Canada. And a lot of the apples go for school nutrition programs.
Van: How did you get into the nutrition programs?
Hugh: It all started at the Walker Street Market when someone said, hey, do you mind supplying our school for a nutrition program? And so I started out with one school, and then I contacted the Hamilton Tastebuds (Student Nutrition Collaborative); they run the nutrition program.
So it’s mostly in the local area. We have dropped quite a bit for Halton and focused more on the Hamilton area. It’s due to the logistics and trying to get everything delivered on the same day to each school.
Van: What is your biggest challenge right now?
Hugh: This year, it's probably the weather.
But in general the biggest challenge is not worrying about things you can't control. As a farmer, if you worry about things that you can't control, you're going to drive yourself crazy.
So you just roll with the punches and that's one thing I've really had to learn since I started is everything changes and you can't control it. So you don't worry about it. And now you just move on from things that are out of your control. Plan for them, but don't worry about them.
Van: What do you enjoy the most about your work here?
Hugh: The freedom. I enjoy the work and I enjoy the benefit that comes from feeding the local community. So I do a lot of labor, but I don't really call it work because it's not work if you love it.
Van: With more than 20 varieties of apples here, do you have a favourite?
Hugh: Well, my favourite is the Ambrosia. It's a quite sweet, firm apple.
It was discovered in British Columbia; it was just a chance find in a field so it’s a Canadian apple. And it stores well and that's why I like it.
Van: What are your hours for the Apple Shack?
Hugh: Store hours are Monday to Friday from 8 to 4:30, Saturday 10 to 4:00 and we are closed on Sundays.
Drummond Farms Apple Shack is located at 69 Concession 5 East in Waterdown and sells non-waxed apples straight from the farm, sweet apple cider, honey, and pure maple syrup.
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Note: this interview was been edited for length and clarity and no AI’s were harmed in the process
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