Kinburn Farm Supply celebrates 40 years

KINBURN – Lordy, lordy, look who’s 40.

Kinburn Farm Supply Ltd. has been serving farmers, residents and businesses in the West Carleton area for 40 years, although they don’t look a day over 35.

“I’ve enjoyed it, that’s for sure,” owner-operator of the family run business John Herrick told West Carleton Online when the store turned 35. “As we know, there are fewer and fewer farmers, but the farms are getting bigger and bigger. So, the market changes and you just have to keep up with the market.”

In 1983 there was no such thing as wood pellets. People didn’t use steel to roof their homes – two things Herrick says are now important contributors to his business.

Herrick himself grew up in West Carleton on a small farm on Upper Dwyer Hill Road. He bought the business in 1983.

Now John’s son Michael Herrick and Michael’s wife Melissa also work at the store. Michael and Melissa and their two young children live right next door to Kinburn Farm Supply.

The business itself has been in Kinburn much longer. The original owner, Leo Colton built the mill in 1925 and then added a house in 1935.

Richard Dellahunt bought the business in 1956 and then Armstrong in 1962. Berry Feeds leased the store in 1973. Berry Feeds re-leased the business to Bill Hooper who did not want to purchase it. Finally, Armstrong was able to sell the business to former West Carleton Mayor Dwight Eastman in May 1983. Five months after that, Herrick bought the business and is now the longest-serving owner.

“It amazes me that I have now served three generations of farmers and with four generations starting to grow,” Michael told West Carleton Online yesterday (Nov. 23). “We consider us lucky to have been able to have raised a family and start and grown a business in the Ottawa valley surrounded by wonderful people.”

Kinburn Farm Supplies Inc. is hosting its anniversary sale right now, click here for more information on the store and the anniversary sale.