Customer Profiles

SUMMER 2002 - THE VIENNEAU FAMILY

VIENNEAU FARMS – CUSTOMERS SINCE 1986
We farm because of our family tradition and our love for the land.
       - The Vienneau’s

Editor’s Note:
On August 16th, myself and Steven Gallant, Branch Manager of our Cavendish Agri Services branch in Salisbury, NB, paid a visit to one of our longest serving customers – The Vienneau Family. The purpose of the visit was to profile the Vienneau’s farm and discuss their relationship with Cavendish Agri. It was a beautiful sunny day when Steven and I arrived. We were both treated like special guests for the entire time we were onsite, including a tour of the farm and introductions to the family. Most importantly though, the Vienneau family took time out of their busy schedules to tell us their story. We thank them for their time and for being such devoted customers to Cavendish Agri Services.

- Lise Eagan, Corporate Communications Manager


Click on each picture thumbnail for the subtitle and and to see a larger image.

The Vienneu’s sign as you arrive on the farm. Vienneau Farms is located in Saint André, New Brunswick, a beautiful rural community located inland, north-west of Cap-Pelé.

 


The Vienneau Farm in the early days.The Vienneau Farm has been in production for over 75 years – a fourth generation family-run farm. Leondre Vienneau farmed this same land, beginning with three green houses and 15 acres of land. Leondre and his wife had five children and their son Omer started helping out on the farm in the late 1930’s, when he was a young boy. “I remember when we used horses for cultivating,” says Omer. Omer took over all responsibility of the farm in 1954. Flowers became a large part of the farm in the 1950’s with the opening of the Co-op in Moncton and in the 1960’s the Vienneau’s were heavy into vegetables.

Irrigating the cabbage field.“We had to make some big decisions in 1975,” said Omer. “In ten years we had grown three times our size. Today, everything is based on volume and prices have stayed consistent over the year, therefore, we had to work harder for our return.”


The Vienneau Farm today.Omer Vienneau continues to farm today with his sons Paul and Michel. At present, they have 27 green houses and produce vegetables, including tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli and even strawberries, with a total of 600 acres.


The Vienneau’s squash field.The family sells to the Superstore, Atlantic Wholesalers, Co-op Atlantic, local restaurants and other well know companies. “At one time, we sold vegetables to Bermuda and Cuba,” said Omer.


Steven Gallant and Paul on the farm. Steven Gallant is Cavendish Agri Services’ Salisbury Branch Manager and will be working closely with the Vienneau’s to give them the best customer service and advice in the industry. The Vienneau’s have been long time customers of Cavendish Agri, purchasing fertilizer and chemicals for the past 16 years, attending grower sessions as well as using our Crop Scouting program. “We purchase approximately 60 tonnes of fertilizer a year,” said Paul. “We have an excellent relationship with Cavendish Agri, and they always give us superb service,” explains Omer.

Paul and Steven discussing fertilizer and chemicals. “We’ve had a long relationship with the Irving companies,” explains Omer. Omer and his sons have participated in sessions with Dr. Robert Coffin (Dr. Bob), Cavendish’s full-time agronomist. Paul explains that they also buy tomato and cucumber baskets from one of our sister companies, Master Packaging, a producer of corrugated boxes.




Paul and Omer Vienneau on the family farm.Omer and his wife Laura have three children, Michel, Paul and Mona. Paul and his wife have a seven year-old girl, Josée; Mike and his wife have a 4-week old son named Luc; and Mona has a son and daughter, Rémi and Janis.
 

The Vienneau’s irrigation pump. Successful vegetable farmers such as the Vienneau’s do much more than produce vegetables; they also manage money, people, and natural resources effectively.

 

Thanks again to the Vienneau Family for being such dedicated customers.