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History:
What started as a hobby became a family owned business. In 1981 the pick-up bed of an old 1967 International pick-up truck would be piled high with sweet corn. It was set by the road with a self serve sign. Customers would drop money in the top of an old milk can, pick out their sweet corn and go on their way. A few years later a little roadside produce stand was built. By 1987 the original stand was too small and it was doubled in size equipped with a small cooler. It was also that year that a 16’x20’ greenhouse was built so vegetable transplants could be raised. In 1989 this house was too small and a 50’ wooden structure was erected. This house was equipped with large door so wagons of vegetables could be rolled in and out to harden off the vegetable plants. One day it was realized that the rafters would be a great place to hang some hanging baskets. It was amazing how pretty they turned out. In 1993 things were going real well with the flowers and another 50 foot house was put up. During the next 10 years 4 more greenhouse were put up. In 2004 a “state of the art” greenhouse 42’x120’ was built plus a 36’x60’ Morton Building that serves as the market plus along with it came plenty of parking. The new market made it possible to sell items like jams and jellies, fertilizers, lawn statuary etc. In the summer a bunker cooler was installed to sell produce from. Work starts late February as thousand of little seeds and plants are brought in. All the hanging baskets plus all of the vegetable plants for resale and the field are grown in 6 greenhouses. A soon as the ground is fit the planting of acres and acres of sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, melons, cucumbers, and much more begins. By the end of October the ground is ready for a rest and so are the Hoekstra’s. The next months are ones to plan and get ready for the next season, only to start all over again. Yes, a hobby truly has turned into a business, a family owned business and a great one at that.
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