Duurzame Growers
September 23, 2024At Duurzame Growers, farming goes beyond the fields and the harvest. This first-generation farm located just south of Elora thrives on the principles of regeneration and conscientious growing. The farm is run by 24 year old Isaiah Katerberg who is one of the most passionate
and disciplined young men I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Duurzame Growers is a shining example of how farming can be both a livelihood and a labour of love.
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Can you tell me a bit about yourselves and who is currently working with you on the
farm?
Isaiah: “My name is Isaiah and I have always had a passion for growing things. My family has always had a large garden and it has inspired me to grow vegetables since my youth. Growing up my whole life in the rural Wellington Township has given me the perfect landscape to have a patch of soil to experiment with different and unique varieties of vegetables. I’m a hard working farmer and I’m never afraid to take on difficult tasks. Allison, my sister, enjoys being in the sunshine every day. Being a part of the food journey the planting of the seed that grows into the harvest and then the final preparation of the meals. She especially enjoys connecting with people over the shared desire for good quality food at the community markets. While a piece of her heart is still in the west coast, Laurie has found herself in southern Ontario with her hands in good tilled earth and her feet temporarily planted in a garden of new green shoots. With a green thumb on both hands, our cousin Avery is ready to dive into the world of horticulture. She has a love of plants of any kind whether it is a soft green plant or a hardy towering tree. Hard working and fun loving she throws herself into her task with all enthusiasm and joy. This is just a snapshot of this season’s employees. We are excited to have new members join the farm and getting to know lots more individuals.”
With such a strong team in place, it seems like you’re all very passionate about farming. What inspired you to start Duurzame Growers, and how has the journey been so far?
I started my farm as an effort to change and become a part of the local food movement system. I wanted to act on my passion and start a farm growing food for people looking for vegetables that were closer to the soil than a grocery store shelf. It has been a three year journey so far and I am learning every day. The reward of handing my product to the satisfied customers have been my highest praise. I look forward to continuing growing naturally and sustainably in years to come. Adding more team members is something I look forward to as well.
Building on that, it sounds like family plays a big role in your farming journey. What are some of your favorite moments or memories of working with them on the farm?
Family has been my biggest support through starting up my business. I have many fond memories from restoring glass houses or raising new hoop houses. I know I can always call on them to help cover new crops when the weather threatens with storms or frosts. At harvest time my family really comes together and many hands do make light work. Having a close relationship with my family has and will always be my biggest blessing.
Family clearly influences your approach to farming in many ways. I’m curious—why did you choose the name Duurzame, and how does it reflect both your heritage and your farming philosophy?
Often the simplest things can become the hardest, and naming my farm and business was one of those times. In the winter of 2020 I was trying to find a name that was all encompassing, tying together lots of different aspects of my business plan. Being a descendant of Dutch immigrants who built a new life on hard work and laying a foundation for the family to stand on in a new world. I knew I wanted to pay homage to my past. Many of my great grandparents were from an agricultural background and to have that kind of connection to the land was important to me. I also knew that a sustainable farming system was my main focus and so I tied the two together and came up with Duurzame Growers. The English translation of the Dutch word duurzame is sustainable and long lasting. The impact we have on the soil is enduring and we want to maintain a positive environment for years to come.
Speaking of sustainability, you’ve been selling at farmers markets for a while. How has participating in those markets helped you build relationships with the local community?
Duurzame has been a regular at the Guelph farmers market for three years. We are excited to have our first season at the Elora farmers market as well. Having the opportunity to sell directly to customers at the market has been terrific. To have a relationship with locals who want to find good food from farmers in their communities is such a great feeling. I like to connect with my regulars when they come to my market stand and build relationships that last week to week.
As a small-scale farm, I imagine each season brings its own challenges. How do you manage to keep things running smoothly year-round? Does the weather affect what you can grow?
Every season on the farm looks different from the warming of the soil after the first thaw to the first frost of autumn. We are doing our best to work with nature to grow quality and a sustainable quantity of vegetables. Working with nature and not against it is paramount in farming. The weather plays an important role in the growth calendar as I always try to plant out my seeds making sure that I don’t waste any time or resources to inclement conditions. Like any good farmer will tell you, some vegetables prefer a warm climate such as tomatoes, (they enjoy a nice warm summer). But kale on the other hand is hardy enough to withstand a hard frost. We grow in season veggies, just as the seasons change so should your diet when you want to eat local.
It sounds like sustainability is at the heart of what you do. How do you incorporate regenerative practices into your farming methods?
Growing on a micro farm gives way to incorporating many regenerative practices year round. Cover crops and companion planting are just a few of the ways that I can create healthy soil. I also make sure to feed beneficial microbes in the earth with nutrient filled compost to optimize the growth capacity of the soil. Good food starts with healthy soil. Micro farming also means no big farming equipment I chose instead to do small scale growing with vegetable beds that are managed by hand tools and personal work. Sustainable agriculture includes reusing and repurposing. My hoop houses have been purchased from other farms and I then take them down and rebuild them at my fields.
With such a deep connection to the farm, how do you manage to take time for yourself, and are there any exciting opportunities ahead?
Farming is an all consuming occupation that includes many responsibilities. Making a schedule that balances work and rest is essential finding spontaneous times to take a break from the farm is my main method for getting relaxation. Spending quality time with friends and family often gives me the rest I need to feel replenished.
How did you end up on the land you’re currently farming? Was it a long process to find the right place?
Land access can be daunting for any young new grower. After looking for many months and scouting out locations I approached some family friends. I inquired about some empty greenhouses that they had and they were excited to make them available and offered to give access to their fertile fields. It truly is a hidden gem with lush hedgerows and exceptionally rich soil. The couple whose land we grow on saw in me a young person with a dream. They wanted to help me with my passion for good food recognizing that empty greenhouses are no help to anyone. Inviting me to cultivate their fields to make a big impact on food growth in my area.
Lastly, I understand you and your siblings were homeschooled. How did that experience influence your career path in farming?
My siblings and I were homeschooled with routine and a system that built on our strengths. We were schooled with hands-on learning and curricular studies that strengthened our weaknesses and taught us new skills. Practical skills were essential to us, learning to calculate the size of the family garden to make the most of the space and maximize the growth of our plants was what I enjoyed most every spring. I was taught by my dad sound business practices that I have carried on to my business stewarding the resources that I have in a sustainable manner. Our parents taught us creativity and encouraged us to be unique in the world.
What are your long-term goals for Duurzame Growers, and how do you envision making a positive impact on both the environment and your community?
This is just the beginning years for our farm. There is still lots to look forward to in the years to come. It has been a dream to create an inspiring environment for young farmers to look to and learn from. In coming years I anticipate adding fruit and even livestock to my bio-diverse farm. I’m sure I’ll have new learning opportunities in the future but I anticipate and eagerly await tackling any challenges that might arise. I look for positiveness every day in the environment by doing what I can in my small area to change my world for the better. Actively engaging with the community to bring people together who all work for a common goal of bettering the day to day world we live in. We do not want to just passively consume, we strive to actively engage. We are not only growing food but we are spreading peace and harmony to all we meet on this growing journey through the power of great food!