Featuring the first high bush blueberry patch in Ontario; Blueberry Hill Estates is rich in history and taste.

Our 35 year old chemical free 20 acre "berry patch" produces the sweetest berries that are hand selected sorted at maturity. 

Our patch overlooks the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve that has a micro climate unlike any other in Canada. This environment is ideal for naturally healthy berries that we sell fresh in season (July to October) and frozen throughout the year.

(Left to right: Wesley Vranckx; Nick Vranckx; Dale Vranckx; Angeline Vranckx; Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Leona Dombrowsky)

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A Farm With Sells the Experience

The notion that farmers should be compensated for their eco-services to society is real for Dale Vranckx. Instead of waiting for government to institutionalize the concept, he has taken a run-of-the-mill farm with a “blueberries for sale” sign and extended it into South Coast Eco-Safari, an agri-tourism destination.

There is some real estate wisdom to his good fortune in being located between Turkey Point and Long Point Biosphere Reserve, a spit of land jutting into Lake Erie. The mantra of “location, location, location” is paying off as the family operation has evolved over five years from 17 acres of pick-your-own blueberries to a retail outlet and an eco-safari trail. Whereas about 600 people walked through the farmgate in 2005, there were 21,000 attendees in 2010. From day-trippers to American tourists and locals, the old adage of “build it and they will come” is paying off.

South Coast Eco-Safari is just one of several businesses of the Vranckx family. Wes, in the lead eco-cart, manages the agri-tourism business while DJ, not shown, is in training to manage the farmers’ market.

How did Vranckx transform the operation? His perspective is surprising. It started with a succession plan for his three sons Nicholas, Wes and DJ. His original tobacco farming career was sidelined with other ventures in an ATV dealership and trucking brokerage business, but in his heart, he wanted the farming life. He spied the parcel of land and seized upon the idea of starting multiple businesses that would support his sons.

Nicolas, for one, is soon to be a graduate from Brock University with a degree in viticulture and oenology. He has started Southcoast Crop Sciences, a crop consulting business for local wineries. He has already transformed 7500 litres of blueberry juice into wine. Wes loved the 75-acres of Carolinian woodlot and biosphere marshland on the property and has forged the eco-trail where visitors can spot everything from bald eagles to wild turkeys and flying squirrels. It’s taken three years to build the trail which just opened this fall to rave reviews. For $80, families can ride through 13 kilometers of forested, lakeside trails for two hours and never retrace their wheel tracks.

The uniqueness of the property’s ecosystems is revealed with every season. In late May to early June, snapping turtles migrate from the marshes up a steep embankment to lay their eggs in the sandy soil. Where many farms might count 20 or 30 tree species, there are 80 species of trees on the property including record-sized crabapple, slippery elm and chokecherry. The lakeside woodlot is at its peak in the fall, appreciated from the comfort of motorized eco-carts. Vranckx points out that they are equipped with wrap around bumpers that will protect the carts from damage.

A fall view of Long Point is enjoyed from the eco-safari tour.

All the attractions aside, this is still a commercial blueberry farm first and foremost. Ten different varieties produce from July 1 to mid-September. While some blueberries are sold at the Ontario Food Terminal, most are sold through the pick-your-own operation or ready-picked for sale in their retail outlet. Sustainable farming practices have reduced sprays from nine to three per year and production has increased from 6,000 to 16,000 flats annually, boosted by computerized trickle irrigation.

The Vranckx family is one of the first in Ontario to experiment with controlled atmosphere to keep fresh-picked berries in mint condition until better markets materialize. In mid-summer, they were receiving $12 per flat of blueberries at the Ontario Food Terminal but capitalized on September markets at $30 per flat, filling a demand for local. With this success under their belts, the Vranckx family wants to experiment with asparagus, strawberries, raspberries and cherries.

“Our farm is more than a farmer’s market,” says Vranckx, whose son DJ is gradually taking over management. It’s truly evolving into an agri-tourism destination with more plans for 2011.

They include a 300-car parking lot and a farmhouse that’s been transformed into a conference hall and café. Landscaping will lure customers for patio drinks. On May 1st 2011 a winery tasting bar and gift shop will expand the offerings.

Sounds busy. But remember that all family members are running separate businesses from the same home base. For the Vranckx family, eco-safari also means environmental savings.

10 Best Marketing Tips

1. 1.Create a website for each of the businesses to keep focus on branding
   

2. 2.Buy your own vinyl cutter to make your own signs
   

3. 3.Convert produce from wholesale to retail outlets for better margins
   

4. 4.Earn certification for Local Foods Plus
   

5. 5.Leverage participation in Environmental Farm Plans in marketing literature
   

6. 6.Hire marketing student/intern to sharpen and execute marketing tactics
   

7. 7.Use leading-edge technology to take advantage of shoulder, higher-value season.
   

8. 8.Borrow concepts from other industries, like Tim Horton’s drive-through and apply to farm situation.
   

9. 9.Broaden the on-farm offering novelty blueberry wine, baked goods, preserves and beverages.