Danny Hendricken is pained deeply to be forced to walk away from his lifelong passion of farming.
The well-known Pisquid potato farmer, along with brothers Claire and John, has been left with no choice but to literally sell the farm and leave 10 people looking for work.
The mortgage sale is set to take place on Oct. 16.
Facing close to $2.5 million of debt, bankruptcy protection was removed earlier this year by the farm debt review board.
"We lost the farm . . . and it's very unfortunate,'' a somber Hendricken told The Guardian.
"Soil runs through my veins . . . it's part of my soul and for me not to be a part of agriculture is devastating.''
The Hendrickens started farming in Pisquid in 1960, trying their hands at dairy, beef and hog operations before taking a big bite out of potato production that peaked with as much as 1,000 acres of potatoes being grown at one time.
Farming always has highs and lows, but the past three years were extremely detrimental for the Hendricken operation. Environmental conditions "beyond our control," coupled with poor potato prices, finally brought the business to an end.
No crop went in the ground at the Hendricken farm this year. There was no money to plant it.
After years of struggling to stay afloat, last year appeared for a time to mark a promising turn in fortune. The crop looked good, prices were up, but then rain through August and September flooded the fields, and rot hit the potatoes.
The needed financial relief could not be tapped.
Hendricken, 51, doesn't blame the banks, noting they aren't here to subsidize farmers.
Government, however, let him and other farmers down, he said.
"The federal government and the provincial government basically treat food as a business,'' he said. "If we can't grow it here, we will simply import it…it's very unfortunate.''
Hendricken plans to move out West to find work, just as one brother has already done and a second is soon set to do as well.
He is crushed with having to look for work in the oil business, where he found employment after high school, rather than remaining on the farm.
"It's not my passion and it's torn my family apart,'' he said.
Hendricken has three adult children, none of whom showed any interest in making their own living in agriculture.
Now he fears many other potato farmers will soon follow his unceremonious exit from their ingrained livelihood.
He estimates 25 to 30 per cent of potato farmers minimum "and as many as 50 per cent'' will go out of production by next spring.
Giving up farm 'devastating'
Kings County potato farmer Danny Hendricken says he is heading out west soon to try to make a living because his familys farming operation, which started in the 1960s, has gone bankrupt. He is pictured here helping fellow farmer Randy Murphy of Iona harve
- Published on October 1st, 2009
- Published on June 19th, 2010
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Jim Day
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Comments
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- steve
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:40:21
all the townies have no clue when it comes to the farming or fishing industry...heck...don't have a clue when it comes to manual labour...just keep on getting the pnp
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- Marky
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:38:56
Farms will survive. They're a business and people need to eat.
What many of you don't realize is that if gas prices go higher, it's too expensive to ship food from the other side of the world here, so we'll need MORE farmland for growing crops, not less (notice I said farmland, not farms).
What I wish governments would do is stop giving agricultural subsidies to Canadian farms and instead charge import tariffs on food grown in other countries.
We have enough Canadians mouths to feed in our population that would ensure a steady source of income for farming communities but we can't afford to subsidize those communities to compete against cheap imports.
Throw up the tariff wall on the California oranges and Argentinian beef and Canadians will have to buy from Canadian farmers.... just like we do for dairy and eggs. -
- Listen Up
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:37:11
Listen up!! This farm was my uncles and yes it's more than a business for these guys..... It's a passion! I think it's hilarious how you can sit and hide behind your computer making such statements such as simply just DONT know how to run a business. Who the he!! do you think you are saying crap like that??? What gives you the divine right to sit and dictate that farmers are basically stupid and don't know how to run a business? These are tough times and anyone who has a family within the potato industry KNOW that not everyday is a digging day, especially if it's raining. Doesn't matter HOW BIG the tractors are, or the trucks, if you try digging in the rain, the diggers, trucks, tractors will get stuck in the drills. And seeing as how it's been doing nothing but raining this week with the exception of today, that would be considered money lost. If you can't get the crops out of the ground within a certain time, you may as well be throwing money down the drain. It's not like farmers can predict the weather. All they can do is hope that everything goes great. They have no choice but to plant. They can't deicde to plant half a crop and hope that it turns out and then kick themselves for not planting the other half. It's all based on the weather and buyers. If you have crappy weather and some of the crop isn't up to par then the buyers are going to move onto someone who has had a very successful year weather and crop wise. Oh but that's right... b/c according to you this is nothing more than a farm failure by bad business practices by people who don't know any better.
Well thank god someone here know's what they are doing!! God knows you have nothing better to do than comment on stories that have no effects on you. You just sit behind your effing computer and continue to comment on any and every story the Guardian publishes. Seems to be the ONLY thing you're good for. When you want to make a statement that is CLOSE to being intelligent, then that is when you should open your mouth. Stop dictating to everyone what farmers do and do not know. Get your facts right before you start running your mouth claiming that farmers know nothing!!! -
- Bob
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:30:33
This story saddens me. We have to take immediate action to plan for the future of farming on P.E.I. and Canada.
What will we do without our farmers. The number of farms on the Island has dwindled in the past 50 years.
What will we do without our farmers. Their kids don't want to farm. Why would they??? They have seen their families suffer through the pains and rigors of lives that most of us would not wish on our worst enemies. Yet, farmers love to farm. I hope that our gov't shows some backbone and comes up with a plan that will allow farmers to prosper in our country. -
- Patton
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:27:35
I am not surprised, but sad the Hendrickens have lost their battle to farm. Danny and others like him have given much time to help others. Farm leaders often lose everything trying to save the industry. We continue to use organization models which treat staff poorly and do not take respect and use their considerable skills. We need to structure farm leadership which enables their businesses to survive. Infighting is what is killing our industry, which will be lost if immediate change doesn't occur. Thanks Danny for trying so hard.
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- Reality Check
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:26:24
The federal government and the provincial government basically treat food as a business, he said.
Come again? It's not a business? When you grow 1000 acres of potatoes in order to sell them - how can it not be a business? Its not like 1000 acres is for local consumption.
There are lots of farmers doing well on PEI. And its because they realized a long time ago that business is business, and success won't come to you just because you believe it's your birthright. -
- HMMMMM
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:25:27
Hmmmmm...never heard of any poor fisherman losing their outfit yet?....they sure cry you the blues tho.....Lifetime Bailout....
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- cdninmaine
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:24:21
I have typed and deleted and typed some more,, and still I cannot express what I feel about the situation we are all facing-if we don't have farmers we will not have cities. Simple as that.
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- Marky Mark
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:24:08
I'm basing my comment on $1.50-$2.00/litre gas. CIBC and other bank economists have gone on the record stating that with declining ''easy'' oil discoveries and rising production costs, high gas prices will force more local food production.
If PEI produced food for just the Maritimes and Newfoundland (along with farms in NS and NB), then our farming communities would survive. Sure it won't be all potatoes but getting away from a monoculture is a good thing.
Farms are dying (and thus rural Canada) because of changes in trading policies. Not because of subsidies, or lack thereof. -
- from the east
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:20:58
I do feel for farmers but I want to know why so many have to have the HUGE 4x4 Tractors and 4x4 trucks and gear? Would a simple 2 row digger and older tractor not get the spuds out of the ground..Mr.Hendricken was in the new ALOT whining and complaing about how gov't was never doing enough-gov't should only have to do so much
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- Charlie
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:18:10
My heart goes out to you Danny. But what's the point in growing a crop worth $ .03 or $ .04 a pound that costs you at least $ .06 a pound to produce? You are probably the leading edge of a larger number of potato producers on the edge of bankruptcy as well. Without changes in the way the potato industry functions, their unceremonial exit from farming can't be too far away either. It's obviousl that changes in the way we produce, manage, and market this crop have been necessary for some time. Unfortunately the only changes on the horizon seem to be fewer farmers like yourself, able to stay in business.
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- bankuba
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:10:55
too bad for him. but a farm is a business not a hobby. you have to be able to execute a plan, manage money and credit, and manage risk exposure. his farm has failed but others haven't. maybe he could have learned to do what others have done in order to keep going. but he didn't. only the strong survive in business. that's the way it must be. best of luck to him in finding a more suitable livelihood.
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- Bruno
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:10:33
Although it is a sad story when any one anywhere loses their livelihood, to based your entire living on a single commodity is extremely risky business, as anyone in the hog, cattle, or lumber industries can attest. As a person who speaks on farm diversification, and the operator of farming business with multiple revenue streams I understand the importance of not putting all your spuds in one basket. I grow potatoes as well but I get $2.00 per pound at the farm gate, rather than what the processors are paying. For anyone who is looking to increase their farm revenue with out having to bother the governments for a handout, check out my website a www.theprosperousfarmer.com
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- John
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:08:40
As a former P E Ier I am saddened to read this sad turn of events. There is no substitute for a good P E I spud. Before the potato chip industry dictated what and how and what kind of potato that was going to be grown there was a market for the so called tablestock grade of potato and I might add a big demand for such. I live in Ontario and I gladly paid a premium price for P E I potatoes because they were the best. McCains and that other big company have hijacked the potato industry by insisting on growers only growing spuds suitable for fries. What happened to all those old varities that I enjoyed at the table as a youngster? Did they just evaporate into thin air? I don't know but I would be willing to bet that they were shelved and no longer exist. It is awful.J.R.
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- JD
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:05:23
One farm disappears another takes it's place.
One store closes the other stores do better or another new stores opens.
Farming is a business. Seems like maybe the real problem here is that people like Hendricken just simply DON'T know how to run a business.
The real solution for farmers would be to learn how to run a business.
You can't have people who have no ability in actually running a business opening a large multi-million dollar business and than wondering why it falls into the ground.
I hate to say it but most of tehse farmers just simply don't have lick of business sense.
We saw it earlier this year with the Mitchell guy who wouldn't return his creditors calls. Well show me any business where if you don't pay your bills and won't discuss why or how I can do it even partially with my creditors how long before they will shut me down.
Farming is a business and not a divine right.
What Government needs to do if they feel they need to do anything is have business owners who have succeeded go into these struggling farms and show these people how you run a business and how you run one in tough years.
These farm failures are nothing mroe than bad business practises by people who don't know any better. -
- downtown doug
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:58:35
I've lived in the city and in the country and I'll tell you that being a farmer is a business but not one that most people outside of farming understand.
There are very few businesses that would put the hours of work into their own business and expect their children to participate at an early age.
If it were run like a business, food prices would be a lot higher.
There are farmers who have taken advantage of their political connections and have prospered wonderfully, but for the most part, farmers take the hits when the market is low and have to pull tight margins when the crops are good because the larger grocery chains demand it.
As for farms going under and new farmer taking their places.... I don't think so. The stats are showing that PEI is truly losing it's farm family units. -
- economics
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:54:32
economics is what failed this farm...you cannot plant 1000 acres, spend the money caring for 1000 acres and then harvest 800 acres of the 1000 for years in a row???? guess what if it costs $1800 an acre to care for an acre of potatoes that is not harvested and therefore has no return for the farm...any business goes under working on those figures? Then times that 1800 x 200 acres left behind and thats alot of money out of pocket, with none coming in
and quit blaming the government, farming is a business period, your in it to make money and enjoy the lifestyle, though i 100% agree that farming should have alot more support, im sick of seeing farmers or fisherman driving 5 litre convertible mustangs and lexus and fancy 4x4s used for about 3 days a year and then complaining that the government brought me down when the business fails...want to farm or fish, mandatory classes in economics, marketing and business should be required in order to obtain your license and tax number. -
- Observer
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:54:01
Yes, farmers and fishermen are running business, but they are self-employed. They are should be in the same situation other self-employed business people find themselves - no grants, no bailouts, etc. The average self-employed businessman is trying to make a living as well but he has no Government (Provincial or Federal) to help him out when the economy changes (or whatever else might happen to jeopardize his business). If a self-employed business man cannot sustain his family then he should look for other employment. How would people feel if other self-employed business started receiving as much financial help from the Governments as farmers and fishermen do. Heck, even the fishermen can pay into and get EI/UI but the regular self-employed person cannot.
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- sjj
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:53:24
sorry to hear you are loseing your farm. its sad when you go to sobey's and super store and see what they are charging for potatoes . yea both governments should step in and stop the big corperation greed that is distroying the world today. greed is a dirty word ,and the rich ceo's of these corperation's should be put in jail for open theft
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- Deb
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:53:06
This may be some enlightening material on farming in Canada: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/showdoc/an/2009_6//20091001/en?page=1
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- Kay
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:52:11
I know Marie, the mother of this family and Queen over this farm just had a Triple Bypass...Do you think it could be from stress...as she watches her life's work vanish for ever...
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- Barry
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:47:37
Its a sad day when another islander has to lose the farm and head out west to make a go of it. I went to school with Danny and his family when his dad JP was running the farm sad day indeed
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- Sue
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:47:04
Big tractors? How else would you harvest a thousand acres of potatoes. A 2 row digger! Modern farming is a business - sure but givernment has to create a climate for the good farmers to survive. Now, even the good ones are working 2 off farm jobs to buiy their groceries and make their car payments and farming because they have soil in thier veins and they are still going bankrupt. Wake up Mr Ghiz, food does not come from Atlantic Wholesalers. Cavendish Farms will force potatoe prices below the cost of production if they can - and so will any large retailer. We need a new food distribution sustem and lets all agree not to eat importedd food that can be grown here. If the consumer wont buy it - they will eventually stop stocking it.
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- joseph
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:46:02
They are lucky that they're in canada, the us. banks or gov. would't let you get that far in debt before having an auction.
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- Dwayne
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:44:04
It also saddens me to read this. I have purchased many loads of spuds from this farm for many years. They are one of the nicest families you will ever meet. In fact, JP & Marie (father & mother) have given so much to their local community over the years. There was not a function they would not attend nor a charity they would not give to. Farming is definitely a business. Unfortunately, when farmers plant their crop in the spring their returns on table stock potatoes are often based on estimates of open market prices. Since potatoes are sold as a commodity, those prices fluctuate and can often be below the cost of production when it comes time to ship them. Unfortunately, you are not the first and most likely wont be the last. Hang in there guys & hopefully there will be better times ahead.
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- joseph
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:42:55
They are lucky that they're in canada, the us. banks or gov. would't let you get that far in debt before having an auction.
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- John
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:41:17
An unfortunate sign of the times. The blame lies squarely at the feet of our elected officials. Both Liberal and Conservative , Provincial
and Federal. The bloated ,bureacratic CFIA ,and to some extent the farmers themselves. There is no food policy in Canada. Instead there is a patchwork system of putting out fires by throwing huge sums of money at various crisis as they erupt. Supply management works for Dairy, Poultry , eggs etc. Why not apply it to other food products? The politicians wring their hands and say that we would be in conflict with Nafta and free trade. Well wake up ! The current system isn't working. But instead of showing leadership , all the government of the day will do is strike more committees to have more meetings. Then the reports generated will be ignored.
Agriculture in Canada and PEI is truly a Rudderless Ship. -
- Mike
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:40:27
Marky Mark..Check your facts.
There are not enough people in Canada to buy all the food that is produced. Heck even in PEI there is no where near enough people to even just buy what PEI produces.
We need to export from PEI and Canada to even survive. If we just start buying only Canada's products just how long will it be before other countries decide NOT to buy Canadian Items.
If we want to live in a bubble than we need to have serious look at Communist countries. The concept works just that most Westerners find it distasteful.
We can whine and go on about farms but the fact is they are businesses. Show a small business owner who starts a business and doesn't work day & night or many times never even gets to pay himself. Any business owner will tell you there are lean years and you always prepare for them and struggle through them.
Farming is a business just like any other business and in any business if you don't know what you are doing than you will fail.
Life sucks..but business is tough. If business was so easy than everyone would be doing it. -
- ghiz supporter
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:36:12
can't blame ghiz for the farm going under...maybe you don't need 1000 acres..many farmers seem to make a living with 350-400 acre farms...many farmers simply don't make good mangers
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- Quiet
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:35:57
And the fishers think they have it tough and need special attention?
My heart goes out to farmers everywhere.
