District 2, Wingham, New Entrants 

The Weber family got into chicken farming to diversify their family farm and build a sustainable and rewarding business with their children. In 2021, the Weber family were successful applicants for the New Entrant Chicken Farmer Program and are thankful for the support they have received from fellow Ontario chicken farmers, industry partners, and CFO to ensure their success in chicken farming.

As New Entrants, the Webers appreciate the support they have received from CFO, and are thankful to their fellow local chicken farmers for the guidance and knowledge sharing they have received.

Although the Webers are new to chicken farming, they are no stranger to running a family farm! Matt and Nicole come from a farming background and together purchased their first cash crop farm in 2013. Logan, Alyssa, and Blake are always happy to help on the farm and are involved in the day-to-day operation.

Matt and Nicole believe the Ontario chicken industry is strong, vibrant, and will continue to grow. Matt and Nicole are excited about the future for their chicken farm and believe it will be a legacy for their children to carry on into the future.

District 5, Niagara

The Tsementzis family has a long history of chicken farming. When Pete’s parents, Christos Sr. and Anastasia Sr., immigrated to Canada from Greece in the 1960s, the chicken industry demonstrated a favourable and promising business opportunity to allow their family to flourish. Today, Pete and Kim and their two children carry on the family legacy of chicken farming in Ontario.

The Tsementzis family work together every day and continue to grow the family farm that Christos and Anastasia built. In the late 1960s, the family farm originally raised broilers, layers, and turkeys. Today, the Tsementzis focus on broilers and layers.

Pete and Kim are 2nd generation chicken farmers, and their two children Ana and Chris are 3rd generation chicken farmers. Ana and Chris are both actively involved on the family farm, managing the day-to-day operation of their own barns. Additionally, both Chris and Ana pursued agriculture-related university education at the University of Guelph. Ana completed her BSc in Ag Science, majoring in Animal Science, and obtained her MSc in poultry nutrition and Chris is completing his degree in Ag Business.

When Kim is not in the barn, she is involved at Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) as a District Committee Representative (DCR) for District 5. As a DCR, Kim engages farmers in Districts 5 to ensure they are aware of the latest CFO information and services.

District 3, North Middlesex

Jerry and D. Kathy Hendrikx farm with two of their children, along with their respective spouses and children. The Hendrikx family has a deep history of farming that goes back generations. The home farm was settled in 1951, after Jerry’s family emigrated from the Netherlands in 1948.

Originally, the Hendrikx family focused on dairy and cash crop; however, they were looking to diversify their current family farm and as a result, in 2018, built their first chicken barn. The Hendrikx family chose chicken farming because the industry continues to be strong, vibrant, and growing. Chicken farming also allowed the family to continue to handle all the accompanying work as a family as the day-to-day operations grew.

Jerry Hendrikx’s favorite part about being a chicken farmer is being able to share his knowledge and love of farming with his children and grandchildren and work closely together every day. The Hendrikx believe that chicken farming is a family-friendly industry and enjoy seeing the youngest generation begin to show an interest in chicken farming.

The Hendrikx family is excited to see where the next generation will take the family farm.

District 1, Cookstown, New Entrants

The Allen family was attracted to broiler production to diversify their current agricultural business and as a result, in 2012, applied to the New Entrant Chicken Farmer Program. Since then, the Allen family has been thriving as chicken farming has added another element that fits seamlessly into their family farm.

The Allen family is grateful to have been a successful New Entrant Chicken Farmer Program applicant and has enjoyed the entire process of building their family farm from the ground up. Carson, who is only five years old, is already showing a keen interest in chicken production by helping his parents Chris and Amanda in the day-to-day operation.

The Allen family takes animal welfare and biosecurity practices very seriously. With a family background in beef cow-calf production, the Allens have transferred their knowledge and experience in cattle farming over to chicken. The Allens have enjoyed learning all the characteristics of chicken production from the industry and are eager to continue to grow in the vibrant Ontario chicken industry.

The Allens are a proud Ontario chicken farming family and see a bright and sustainable future for chicken farmers in Ontario.

District 1, Oro-Medonte

The McLean Family – Geoff, Shannon, and their three children – farm north of Barrie in Oro-Medonte. Geoff and his family own and operate the farm where he was raised and learned the value of hard work and accountability, while developing a passion for growing food for Ontarians.  

A diversified farming operation, the McLeans recently transitioned out of the dairy business and into poultry farming. Adding the chicken barn has made the family-farm more self-sufficient and Geoff and Shannon are finding that the poultry business provides a better work to life balance for them and their young family. The McLean family is very appreciative of the support from the chicken industry with their transition from dairy to poultry. Fellow chicken farmers and industry representatives have helped the McLeans create a plan to ensure their farm will be successful for future generations to come.

District 7, Moorefield

The Hiddema Family – Al, Jolene and their three daughters – farm together north of Moorefield Ontario. Al was raised on a chicken farm which fostered his passion for the Ontario chicken business. Al would go on to start his own farm, and soon after married Jolene. As the chicken farm grew, so too did their family, with Al and Jolene having three daughters. 

Al is an active participant in CFO business and previously served as a District Committee Representative. 

It is working together as a family that the Hiddemas enjoy most about chicken farming. Today, with the kids growing up and exploring their career interests, Al and Jolene are very proud that their daughters are pursuing fields that are important to rural Ontario and agriculture and are optimistic that the family farm will continue to grow for generations to come.

District 3, Strathroy

The Szmiett Family – Jessie, Brian, and their three children – farm in Strathroy. The Szmiett family got into the chicken business to diversify their farm, and to create a component of their farm business that the children could immediately become involved in. Going to the barn as a family and watching their three children enthusiastically engage with animal care and other farm responsibilities, reminds Jessie and Brian of why they love chicken farming.  

Jessie currently serves as a District Committee Representative for District 3. Prior to seeking the position of District Committee Representative, Jessie was an active participant in CFO’s Women in Leadership program, which has provided farmers with the opportunity to network, share best practices, and develop leadership and business skills to support the growing Ontario chicken industry. 

The Szmietts are extremely appreciative of their community of fellow chicken farmers and have found that they function as a great resource for advice and support as they continue to grow their business.

District 9, Blackstock

The Kemp Family – Dave, Lisa, and their two sons – farm in Blackstock Ontario. The Kemps joined the Ontario chicken industry in 2019 as successful applicants to CFO’s New Entrant Chicken Farmer Program. As New Entrants, the Kemps are responsible for securing some initial quota units, and are effectively loaned some additional quota units, known as new entrant quota, to support their transition into the Ontario chicken business. Additionally, CFO and other local chicken farmers provide guidance and share knowledge to further support the Kemps and other New Entrant chicken farming families. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about CFO’s New Entrant Chicken Farmer Program. 

The Kemps joined the chicken industry to expand and diversify their farm and was a great opportunity to utilize their existing land base and labour availability. Even with the boys’ hectic school, sports, and social schedules, Dave and Lisa enjoy that their sons can still be involved in chicken husbandry and business operations. The family is thrilled to be able to work together every day.  

District 3, Tavistock

The Brenneman Family – Mark, Amanda, Emma, Drew, and Bailey – farm just outside of Tavistock where they transitioned from dairy to chicken farming. The Brennemans are passionate about chicken farming together, and all three Brenneman children are pursuing and desire a career in agriculture.

When building their second barn in 2017, the Brennemans learned about options for improvements in air quality and energy recourse efficiency that would lead to increased health benefits for their chicks. So, they decided to install evaporative cooling cells with tunnel ventilation for quicker cool down of barns in the summer months - and two propane furnaces with forced air heating tubes for more controlled humidity.

Photo: Mark and Amanda Brenneman and their three children Emma, Drew, and Bailey.

District 8, Mitchell

The Woods Family – Chris, Sara and their son, Logan – farm just north of Mitchell, Ontario. The Woods family is no stranger to farming when they got into the chicken business to diversify their already busy farming operation.

Photo: Chris and Sara Woods, and their son, Logan.