Mission Statement

Van Dyk Farms exists to be growers of quality produce, relationships, family, and faith within the local community and across the globe

Values

At Van Dyk Farms we value honesty, integrity, and hard work. But more importantly we value the relationship that comes through Christ. We seek to serve him and glorify him in all that we do; through growing quality produce every year, through our business endeavors, through our employee relations, and through our community involvement.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive and inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" Colossians 2:23-24 (NIV)

Certifications

Van Dyk Farms is certified by Primus Labs for the Global Food Safety Initiative. See more here.

Awards

In 2003 Van Dyk Farms was awarded the Master Farmer of the Year Award by the Michigan Vegetable Council. This award is given "in recognition of outstanding farming practices, as well as cooperation with Michigan State University researchers and Extension educators and leadership roles in the vegetable industry and local community"
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Located in the heart of Michigan's thumb in a rich 2,000 acre valley of organic "muck" soil, John Van Dyk started farming on his own around Imlay City in 1958. After purchasing land from his father, Gerrit Van Dyk and father-in-law, William Elling, John and his wife, Wilma, started to grow lettuce and potatoes in the fields off of Muck Road in Imlay City, MI. The farm became incorporated in 1981 when Doug, one of John's sons, joined the operation full-time after attending MSU's Agricultural Technology Program. Dennis, another son, joined full-time in 1983 after completing the same program at MSU.

In 1995 Van Dyk Farms ended their production of potatoes and after building a few greenhouses they entered into the flower industry as well. After many successful years with flowers, Van Dyk Farms ended that endeavor in 2013 allowing themselves to focus primarily on lettuce.

Van Dyk Farms is a major local supplier of iceberg and romaine lettuce to fresh and processed markets in Michigan and other states along the East Coast. About four different types of lettuce are grown and marketed on over 600 acres of land. Today Van Dyk Farms is doing it's best to limit their carbon footprint by limiting soil tillage and adapting other healthy growing practices.

Van Dyk Farms is a 3rd generation, family-based operation that values all of their employees. Doug and Beth Van Dyk and their children, Dennis and Carol Van Dyk and their children team up with two harvesting crews, a weeding crew, and the transplanting crew to help supply restaurants, markets, and wholesalers with their leafy green needs.

John Van Dyk begins farming lettuce and potatoes in the muck fields of Imlay City, MI.
Van Dyk Farms becomes incorporated and John's son Doug joins the farm.
Upon graduating from MSU Ag Program, John's son Dennis joins the farm as well.
Van Dyk Farms stops growing potatoes and enters into the flower industry after building greenhouses on Muck Road.
Pumpkins were grown as a project between John and his grandkids.
Van Dyk Farms stops growing flowers to focus more so on romaine, red leaf, green leaf, and iceberg.
This season Van Dyk Farms will be growing Romaine Hearts for the first time.