| Our History Pregitzer Farm Market started as a roadside stand in 1996 when Wade thought he'd grow and sell a few pumpkins. The following year sweet corn and watermelons were added, which was a big hit. This led to more items being grown in the following years and a very busy roadside stand! In 2003 we moved a quarter mile north to a horse farm, which was promptly turned into a produce farm! A small barn that is over 75 years old serves as our market. With the additional land and convenient location we started growing and selling more produce than ever before. We broadened our vision in 2005 with a focus on farm entertainment and education. We added a corn maze, petting farm, hayrides, and field trips. This generated phenomenal growth resulting in Wade's dream of farming for a living becoming a tangible goal. To do this we will be offering even more produce, education, and fun entertainment. In 2008 Wade made the farm his full time career. This poses some challenges but as our market continues to grow and expand this was a necessary change. One of our greenhouses is up and operating; we started to grow flowers and some of our own vegetables. We grew and sold about 150 hanging baskets plus flats and pots. The CSA tripled in size this year allowing us to provide fresh produce to over 40 families! Fall entertainment was huge this year on the farm and we added even more attractions. In 2009 we started all of our own plants in three finished greenhouses. We attended three farm markets weekly this year. A couple beef cows have been added to the farm with the possibility of more in the future. We also had poultry and eggs to sell this year. The CSA grew to 106 families! For 2010 we expect the CSA to at least stay at the same number if not grow. We will have about 150 shares available. We may also offer an additional share option in early summer if the crops are successful. Since there has been such a huge demand for poultry and eggs we are planning on building another bigger shelter. We will be starting even more vegetables and flowers to grow ourselves and to sell in the spring. |
| Welcome to Pregitzer Farm Market! Our vision is to be a sustainable farm. Our mission is to offer the best fresh from the farm produce possible. Our goal is to educate communities about farm life, eating local, and fun on the farm. To do this we will continue to stand by our reputation for exceptional customer service and the best produce around! We will plan field trips, festivals, private parties, and events. Tours of our farm are gladly offered and encouraged. |
| Special priority is given to the health of our soil and produce. Our veggies are always fresh from the field, thus retaining more nutrients and unbeatable flavor. We use conventional tillage with the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. Most plants are in plastic culture to control weeds, warm the ground, and preserve moisture. Rye and clover are used for mulch and filter strips and naturally increase soils fertility. We are now trying no-till and zone-till to benefit the soil and reduce labor and fuel. We are using livestock manure in certain fields each year along with half rates of conventional fertilizer. We will be field testing natural fertilizers this year. We take pride in offering healthy, wholesome produce of exceptional quality while being responsible for our environment. |
| Our Farming Methods |
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| Who we are Wade oversees all the planting, growing and general farm management. He is usually who you will see at the farmers markets. He likes keeping our customers informed about anything to do with farming! Shannon handles the website, correspondence, marketing and clerical aspect of the business. She is also in charge of the flowers and works extensively with the CSA. Harry is getting more involved every year with the field work, building, maintenance, and lots of fix it projects! He also likes meeting and talking with people at the farm. Margie compiles and prints off our free recipes, does bookwork, picks, plants, and just about everything! Our customers always look forward to seeing her at our market. Evan is always eager to learn about operating the tractors and anything else he can get his hands on! Tossing all those melons and pumpkins won't hurt his football game either! Kassie loves helping out in the market, always with a smile. She enjoys making custom hanging baskets and cutting flowers. She also picks and plants. Grace is learning more about running the market and is always willing to practice at the cash register! She likes working with the flowers, and also picks and plants. Sarah fills our days with humor! She has taken it upon herself to be in training at a young age (not to be left out, of course!) She picks, plants, washes and even does some things you'd never expect! We also are very fortunate to have great friends who love to help out on the farm. There's a good chance you will see Steve and Jill Fitzgerald and Mike and Michele Lewis pitching in wherever they're needed! |
| PREGITZER FARM MARKET, LLC "Like your own garden without the work!" 6870 Territorial Rd., Munith, MI 49259 (517) 769-2768 yourfarmmarket.com email shannon@yourfarmmarket.com Wade Cell: 517-499-5676 Shannon Cell: 517-513-9572 |
| Ariel Shots Of Both Farms. Above: Our Farm, Which Includes Crops, The Roadside Market, And Other Activities. Below: Wade's Parents Farm Where We Perform Lots Of Equipment Maintenance And Grow Some Crops |