SPRING BAY—Those shiny stainless steel silos that have sprung up at 542 Hartley Drive in Spring Bay herald some great news for local farmers (hunters and pet owners) as the Guelph-based business Sharpe Farm Supplies, long a supplier of seeds and other farm inputs to Island farmers, has now set up a bricks and mortar (and stainless steel) operation through which they are now offering a host of expanded supports for agriculture, as well as supplies for hunters and pet owners.
The Expositor caught up with Paul Sharpe, who along with brothers John and Michael, now operate the business founded in 1986 by parents Bill and Marion Sharpe as a retailer of seeds, fertilizers and crop protection products. From its humble beginnings in Wellington County, the company has expanded into new locations in Moffat, Freelton, Fergus, Elmira, Guelph and now Manitoulin.
Although beef farming has been, and is, an important agricultural activity on Manitoulin, Mr. Sharpe noted that times are changing. Among the assets Sharpe has brought to the Island is the largest dryer for grain crops available to farmers locally, an important consideration given the steady growth of grains in the Island’s agricultural mix.
“The store in Spring Bay has been well-received, given the number of people who have been coming in,” said Mr. Sharpe.
Sharpe is aimed at supplying everything a farmer needs to have a successful operation.
To that end, not only do they supply seeds, fertilizer and crop protection supplies, but also the aforementioned drying facilities, grain storage and handling, even marketing the farmer’s product, should they decide to go that route. Proper drying is incredibly important in grain crops as mold can be a literal killer, both literally and figuratively in terms of profit.
Thanks to its economies of scale, Sharpe is able to employ a host of experts to provide consultation and advice to farmers, basically providing a base of agronomic support—that is “a complex of services provided by high-level professionals with the aim of increasing the profitability of crop production or the production of forage crops.”
Sharpe experts will come to a farm, test the soil, provide the analysis of said soil and offer suggestions on soil improvements, setting up an appropriate fertilizer program.
“We have trained crop consultants on staff,” noted Mr. Sharpe. “That includes nutrient delivery and a level of expertise—we don’t just sell.”
But sell they do.
Grain remains a key part of the operation and there are two grain elevators at the Spring Bay location. Canola, soybeans, oats, whatever a farmer is growing Mr. Sharpe says, “bring it on.” Sharpe can purchase the product outright or act as broker.
In addition to all things agriculture, Sharpe also has a host of items for farmers, including deer and other wildlife feeds, baits, literally tons of bird feed (full disclosure The Expositor picked up a 50-pound bag of raw peanuts for the visiting blue jays).
There is also plenty of other pet foods on hand in large bulk quantities, as well as toys for horse, dog and cat. Where else can you buy yourself a ball toy for your horse or even a rubber chicken (we have photographic evidence of the latter).
Sharpe Farm Supplies is also now a significant employer on the Island and local workers are being trained to provide for a farmer’s every need.
Currently, Sharpe Farm Supplies is open Tuesday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm, closed Sunday and Monday, but that could very well change as the season develops come springtime, noted Mr. Sharpe.
