The Rural Voice, 1989-09, Page 23acres of land in the area are under
glass or plastic — about half of the
total greenhouse area in Ontario.
Approximately 300 growers
operate individual or multiple steam -
heated greenhouses varying in size up
to nine acres. In 1987, Essex County
greenhouses produced tomatoes,
cucumbers, and flowers valued at
more than $60 million.
There are also nearly 200 fruit
growers in the county, who in 1987
produced a $6 million crop. Apples
are the most valuable fruit crop, but
peaches are also important. Other tree
fruits are apricots, plums, cherries,
nectarines, and pears. There is also a
small acreage of strawberries, rasp-
berries, and blueberries. Grapes have
become the second most important
fruit crop over the past five years.
Livestock, milk, and poultry add
to the picture of Essex County as well,
and according to 1987 statistics
produced more than $20 million of
farm products.0
THE ESSEX COUNTY HOSTS
Richard Pogue (left) and Frank
Little, who together founded Hi -Way
Farms Inc., are the hosts of the 1989
International Plowing Match in Essex
County.
Pogue and Little decided 20 years
ago to start a partnership on land
southwest of Belle River on County
Road 42. Each retained ownership of
his own land base. Little contributed
$20,000 worth of machinery and
Pogue put up $20,000 in cash.
So the IPM is a way to celebrate
as they look back on 20 years of
success. But the partners are also
looking forward. Little's son, John,
recently became a third partner in Hi -
Way Farms.
Today, John Little and Louis
Compeau, representing the Pogue
family, are in charge of the day to day
operation of the farm.
Pogue is president of the Essex
Hybrid Seed Company, an elevator
operation abutting the match site.
Little is active in the Ontario Soil
and Crop Improvement Association,
and served as president in 1985.
"After working together for 20
years," Pogue says, "we felt some
kind of celebration was in order. We
thought the IPM would just about do
it."
Hi -Way Farms covers 1,125 acres,
and an additional 50 acres are rented;
This year, 400 acres of sunflowers are
the largest crop. The land also grows
soybeans and red and white wheat,
mostly for seed, milo, corn, red and
white kidney beans, and oats. Hay —
150 acres this year — improves crop
rotation.
"We were adding up the other
day," Little says, "and we put 10
different crops through our combine
(conl'd)
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SEPTEMBER 1989 21