About Us
It all began with an immigrant family from Holland in 1954
Visser Farms is a team of great people who are joined together by the same belief - that “good farming is a way of life”.
Environmental ApproachOur People
Our staff are comprised of caring, hard working men and women, who want to grow the best crops – and preserve the environment at the same time. We use our resources responsibly, returning the earth back to the way it is intended. We believe in implementing sustainability into day-to-day operations, so that’s part of our culture and long-term thinking. We are caretakers of the land -- and we have a responsibility to ensure that the next generation inherits this vital asset in as good, or better condition, than we did years ago.
Randy Visser
CEORandy Visser is the CEO of G Visser & Sons, Orwell Cove, PEI. Randy has over 25+ years of experience in potato farming and packing experience – including sales & marketing, production planning & forecasting, storage & business management. Randy has had the privilege of growing up on the Visser farm, and after completing his university studies, Randy returned to work with his father Gerrit and his brother William. Randy has helped the business to grow and successfully navigate many changes and obstacles over the years. Randy is an active member of his local church and enjoys spending time with his family.
William Visser
Former CEOWilliam Visser is the former CEO of G Visser and Sons and helps mentor and advise the next generation of farm managers in all company divisions. He is still actively involved in crop planning, seed sales and land improvement projects to name a few. William has a keen eye for detail and has helped the Visser team work hard to hit the high marks. Farming has been part of William’s life since he was born and loves having the privilege of seeing things grow and takes the opportunity to steward land responsibily.
Adam Jay
COOAdam has recently been appointed as the COO of G Visser & Sons. He is the happy father of five children (with one more on the way soon)! He is a professional engineer with a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. Adam grew up on a family dairy farm where he learned to love all aspects of farming. After his studies, Adam worked as a project manager in commercial construction for 5 years before coming to work with us (and returning to his farming roots). Adam loves living on PEI, all aspects of helping to manage our farm and packing operations and working with a great team of people.
Patty Robertson
Accountant
Michael MacDonald
Production Manager
James Blackett
Manager & Senior Equipment OperatorBen Visser
Farm Operations ManagerWhat's Happening
P.E.I. potato growers more optimistic for 2021 season
P.E.I. potato growers say they're optimistic for the 2021 season, after the roller-coaster ride of 2020, which included the COVID-19 pandemic, and a hot, dry summer that cut into yields.Read More...
P.E.I. potato farmers turning to wide variety of cover crops, survey says
A survey by the P.E.I. Potato Board found a growing number of potato farmers in the province turning to a wide variety of cover crops to improve their soil and reduce erosion, and even generate some cash along the wayRead More...
7 things to know about P.E.I.'s 'new' potatoes
New potatoes are a veggie lover's early-summer dream — the tender little spuds, some around the size of golf balls, others the size of a crabapple, melt in your mouth when steamed, buttered and lightly seasoned. Heaven. And they're now popping up atRead More...
G. Visser Farms Quick Facts
-
Conducting business on PEI since 1954
-
PEI owned potato growing company - specializing in supplying the retail industries with premium potatoes
-
Our products sell throughout PEI, across Canada and in the USA.
-
We’re involved in all segments of the potato industry – from potato planting and harvesting, seed production, packing and distribution
-
We pack their own brands and that of others in their own PEI state-of-the-art production facilities in Orwell Cove, PEI
-
Member of the PEI Potato Board
It all began with an immigrant family from Holland, docking in Halifax, Nova Scotia on the east coast of Canada in 1954.
After spending a few nights on Pier 21, the Visser Family came to Prince Edward Island and it was love at first site.
A farm was eventually purchased in Orwell Cove, PEI, an area where the soil looked rich and fertile and the landscape was more beautiful than in their dreams before leaving Holland.
Over time the Visser family grew and the children starting having families of their own and scattered throughout Canada. Gerrit, one of eleven children met his wife (also an immigrant from Holland) and neither of them could think of a better place to start their family than Orwell Cove, their home.
After starting out with dairy and hogs, Gerrit later converted the farm to a potato farm, which was his true passion. Gerrit and Fim had six children; William the eldest son shared his father’s love for the land at an early age and Randy, the youngest son also joined the farm upon completion of post-secondary schooling. The three of them, Gerrit, William and Randy formed the present day businesses, Gerrit Visser & Sons (1991) Inc. as well as G.W & R Visser Farms.
Early 2009 marked the passing of Gerrit Visser. He will forever be remembered as a successful and well-known Island potato farmer. He was an innovative man, and used any challenges he faced as an opportunity to improve his operation. Aside from the farming aspect of Gerrit’s life, he was very much a dedicated family man, an active member of his church, a member of various boards and committees and always willing to lend a hand to those in need.
Gerrit’s love and respect for the land has been passed on to his son’s William and Randy, who remain dedicated to preserving the land that their father loved so dearly.