A good question deserves a great answer.

All photos courtesy of Chris VanderVloet.

Agriculture isn’t getting any easier in this world. Dealing with commodity prices, advanced technologies and the vagaries of weather are challenging enough, but factoring-in consumer demands, environmental concerns and adding value-added components to the farm can be overwhelming. It’s no wonder some producers look for help outside of the farm; regardless of the size of the family or the number of employees, there’s a point where a producer has to concede they’re at a management impasse.

Chris VanderVloet understands reaching that threshold. With six children, the oldest of which is operating his own farm across the road -and the other five active on the home farm -plus 150 to 160 cows to be milked, Chris realized several years ago that the family farm had reached a point where they couldn’t manage every detail. The farm is certified organic and his son Frank and his wife Carrie have added direct marketing to their operation with chickens, eggs, ducks, geese, guinea hens, pork and a preliminary entry into the grass-fed beef market.

VanderVloet works with four or five consultants, including Elite Agri Solutions, based in Glencoe, Ontario, west of London. Endorsements and testimonials from producers aren’t usually abundant because in the eyes of many producers, success is measured in increased productivity (and profit) or reduced costs. Yet VanderVloet’s very lavish with his praise of Elite. His son first met company president Jonathan Giret at a farm show and returned home with a recommendation that Elite might be the answer to the challenges of time management and applying for grants.

“We wouldn’t be doing all of these things without Elite.”
Chris Vander Vloet

Federal and provincial governments are trying to make it easier for producers to obtain grant money to help manage their operations with greater attention to sustainability, profitability and keeping family members on the farm. After hearing government extension personnel talking about how farmers aren’t accessing the money they could through grants though, VanderVloet decided the time was right to start working with Elite.

“When Elite came along, we thought it was perfect, that here’s an entrepreneur who sees what needs to be done,” says VanderVloet, who’s third generation on the farm, with a fourth ready to take over. “We wouldn’t be doing all of these things without Elite. They have the staff, they’re knowledgeable, they know the details and they look after all that. They’re there for the complicated paperwork most farmers don’t have the time to see to.”

Recently, VanderVloet accessed the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) to hire a young employee. The timing for Elite’s entry into the agri-business workspace is perfect, especially given the government’s participation in these programs and where they want the industry to go.

“Every farmer should be able to work with a third party like this,” he adds. “That would be a huge step in the right direction, because that would make government programs work. Even if you get into health and safety issues, you can only stretch yourself so thin, and they can come in and look after all of that. They’re partners -they have the perfect name -they’re Elite because they’re very good, and Solutions is the big part of it, too.”

An unknown void
In the past seven years, Jonathan Giret has overseen steady and robust growth in the services offered by Elite Agri Solutions. It’s an untapped opportunity, given that most producers are focussed on either livestock, poultry, dairy or crops. Despite the specialization, they don’t have time to divert their attention to matters such as applying for grants.

“What if we could coach them on actual business practices, and help take their farm to the ‘next level’?”
Jonathan Giret, Elite Agri Solutions

“But what if there was another option?” poses Giret. “What if we could help farmers with more than crops? What if we could coach them on actual business practices, and help take their farm to the ‘next level’?”

Since 2017, Giret has expanded the staff to 21 uniquely talented individuals, all of whom bring a wealth of ag-related and business experience, from environmental and climate concerns to health and safety expertise. In addition to providing guidance on grant proposals, Elite Agri Solutions also offers help with nutrient management plans, health and safety training and business planning. The most recent addition to their portfolio is providing energy audits.

“We’re doing something beautiful,” says Giret. “With time, good people and effective management, we can build a company that every farmer wants to work with.”