I am doing the most fulfilling work I've ever done, and with 100% certainty, never imagined that I would be in year three of my flower farming and homesteading journey after growing up in Brantford, Ontario. I am, what I call, a transplant to Chatham-Kent. I attended University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus to follow my interest in agronomy. I decided, even before I met my husband, that I wanted to call Chatham-Kent home. Career opportunities in agriculture are diverse and abundant in CK.
In 2012, I met my husband Brad Snobelen. He has lived and farmed his whole life in CK. Now, we are raising 4th generation Snobelens while celebrating 150 years of farming in CK. In 2018, we started Snobelen Homestead. We now grow a wide variety of specialty cut flowers, offering subscriptions and summer u-cut workshops, nearly 30 different varieties of pumpkins, winter squash, and gourds in fall, and our Ruby Red Popcorn is available year-round at local retailers and from us directly at the farm.
My drive to grow our business has two sides. One, to diversify the commercial farm operation and two, to build connections to non-farming families. Growing up in the city, I had few opportunities to connect with local producers. I understand the huge disconnect between farmers and city dwellers that think produce and meat just arrives at grocery stores. It makes me proud to be part of CK's agri-tourism, educating and tightening the gap between our urban and rural communities.
Most recently, I left my off-farm job and have dedicated myself full time to our Homestead business! It's from the support of the community and our customers that I can make this leap!
