Devolder Farms receives multiple honours after 37 years of growth

Devolder Farms in Dover Centre is still going strong after 37 years in the community.

Started by Bob and Diane Devolder in 1988 as a custom seed-cleaning operation, the business Farms has continued to grow in size and recognition ever since.

In November, the couple were inducted into the Chatham-Kent Agriculture Hall of Fame and received the Agriculture Innovator of the Year award at the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce Rural Urban Awards in the same week.

Though the operation initially focused on seed-cleaning for neighbouring farms, it has grown to include grain systems, a precision agriculture division and a farming operation focused on corn, wheat and soybeans.

Lisa Devolder Babula, vice-president of Devolder Farms and daughter of Bob and Diane, said her parents generally don’t enjoy being in the limelight, so receiving two accolades in one week came as a surprise.

“Both honours were greatly received, but they were very surprised by the ag hall of fame,” she said. “To be inducted in there you need to be nominated by others in the community and have them write statements about your impact and your legacy to agriculture. So that one I feel really meant a lot and hit home for them.

“You get so focused on running your company that you can sometimes forget the impact you have on other people. So, they were quite taken aback and appreciative of being recognized for that.”

Devolder Farms has strong ties to the Chatham-Kent community. Bob and Diane have supported local causes like the United Way and the Brian Fox Memorial Agricultural Scholarship. Bob has also spent time with industry boards representing soybean and wheat growers.

Babula described her parents’ work ethic as “non-stop.”

She called them “very humble, very honest and transparent” and said they are eager “to let others shine and not let it be just about themselves.”

A commitment to maintaining that spirit has had an impact on Devolder Farms’ hiring practices.

“It means thinking outside of the box about what an ideal employee is,” said Babula. “A lot of what we do here (is) we try to model the legacy and the strong work ethic of Bob and Diane Devolder.”

Thirty-seven years in business has required innovation at Devolder Farms, such as adopting of the precision agriculture department in 2013 and conducting seed treatment and fungicide research trials.

However, Babula said some of the most significant innovations came from their commitment to a diverse staff.

“I would say the biggest way we’ve evolved is just being able to curate a diverse and extremely knowledgeable talent base. Our focus has always been helping farmers do what they love and be successful at it.”

She said the region’s agricultural diversity has always had an impact on employees and the operation.

“Chatham-Kent has got to be one of the most diverse areas in Ontario crop production, between the vegetable production and cash crops,” she said. “And what we find is it’s really even an innovative group of growers in this area that are willing to try new things and grow with us and not be afraid to go into the unknown.”

That diversity extends to the experience of employees. Babula said they don’t all have an agricultural background but they do love agriculture.

Even with an expanded scope and increased staff, Devolder Farms is a family operation at its core.

“We are fortunate there are four family members that are heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of the business,” Babula said. “So, we have a pretty strong commitment to the legacy and fulfilment of moving forward along with our staff.

“Our grandparents and great grandparents, they would never believe how far seed genetics, equipment, technologies, or even a better understanding of agronomic principles have propelled success in agriculture,” she said.

“Hopefully we can continue that, continue moving forward and have that much of an impact, and hopefully that we can continue to come up with areas that help farmers continue to grow and prosper and evolve as well.”