Snobelen Farms celebrates 50 years

PALMERSTON – Throughout 2021, Snobelen Farms is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

In a press release, Snobelen Farms officials say that since 1971, they have “remained committed to meeting consumer demand and serving grain and seed customers with the best-in-class, quality product.”

The business was started in 1971 by Mike and Judy Snobelen on their home farm outside of Ripley, Ontario.  They now operate eight elevator locations across southwestern Ontario and employ approximately 60 full-time employees.

“Snobelen Farms remains an independent, family-owned company specializing in the production, processing and sales of food grade soybeans, commercial grains and pedigreed seed for markets across Canada and internationally,” the press release states.

“Snobelen Farms started operating the Ripley elevator in 1971 to meet the needs of local farmers in southern Bruce County. Every year after, more bins were added to handle increased grain volumes.

“The business grew, expanding through acquiring an elevator in nearby Lucknow in 1976, then another at Dungannon in 1987. Three more elevators were purchased in Tiverton, Blyth and Brantford in the 2010s.”

Sam Snobelen, president of Snobelen farms, said, “Across five decades of change, we’ve stayed true to our roots, always focused on local farmers and serving customers through quality product.

“We could not have achieved our success without the dedication of our employees.

“We thank them for bringing their best to work every single day.”

In 2018, Snobelen Farms expanded into Palmerston, where it constructed a seed processing, treatment and packaging facility.

Regarding the company’s expansion into Wellington County, general manager Kevin Broadworth said, “Snobelen Farms Ltd has steadily grown over the last 50 years. Our seed business required increased capacity to continue to expand.

“The Palmerston location was a great fit for this continued growth.”

Broadworth says Snobelen Farms’ commitment from its team of people in Palmerston has helped it continue its success in recent years.

Broadworth says “a staff of over 60 people willing to go above and beyond to serve our local and international communities” has allowed Snobelen Farms to become “a leader in the grain, seed, and export industries.”

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