Forever Berries
About Forever Berries
Forever Berries, a small farm business established by Matthew Setzkorn in partnership with Arthur Churchyard in 2016, finds its roots on a 100-acre farm near Guelph. Their core focus revolves around cultivating organic black currants, supplying these flavorful gems for wine-making and various food processing endeavors across Ontario, proudly bearing the 'Forever Berries' brand.
What’s more, they engage in responsible, rotational grazing practices, raising heritage Dexter cattle to offer 100% grass-fed, organic beef. Expanding their horizons, they've recently embarked on a new venture, encompassing an additional 250 acres of conventional 'cash crop' land. Collaborating with fellow young farmers in their community, they are transitioning towards a more sustainable and diversified cropping system, embracing small grains, switchgrass, hay, and cover crop forages.
Forever Berries holds a vision to realize larger positive economic, social and environmental impacts in the broader community that will see upwards of 350 acres of land transition away from conventional cropping to become organic food and forage producing lands in the coming years, working together collaboratively, in deeper relationship with other local farmers and landowners, to restore the health of the land and ecology, and demonstrate the importance of diversity in building up the resiliency and sustainability of the farming systems in our region. As part of their commitment to community-shared benefits, Forever Berries also donates a portion of profits toward community land conservation and ecological farming initiatives
Financing Need
The loan from the Fair Finance Fund will help Forever Berries in advancing their farm business. With their primary focus on cultivating organic black currants for wine-making and food processing, along with raising heritage Dexter cattle for 100% grass-fed organic beef, the farm has experienced steady growth since its establishment in 2016. Now, they stand on the cusp of further expansion, encompassing 250 acres of conventional 'cash crop' land. This exciting evolution involves collaboration with fellow young farmers in their community as they transition towards a more sustainable and diversified cropping system, incorporating small grains, switchgrass, hay, and cover crop forages. The loan will help them to invest in essential equipment, infrastructure, and resources needed for this expansion.
Long Term Impact
Economic Impact
Over 2 new jobs created and 5 jobs expanded and/or maintained
Over 17 regional suppliers supported in purchases
Over $450,000 in total dollars spent at regional suppliers
Over $650,000 in total food sales recirculated into Ontario
Social/Environmental Impact
Improved value chains within the region through collaborative efforts with fellow young farmers will strengthen community bonds and knowledge sharing, benefiting the local agricultural sector.
Increase in sustainable farming practices through transitioning to sustainable and diversified cropping systems will improve soil health and reduce the environmental impact of conventional farming
Improved resource conservation through investing in eco-friendly equipment and infrastructure will conserve resources and decrease the ecological footprint of the farm.