Henry’s Journey in Seed Potatoes
For Henry Ellenberger, farming isn’t just a livelihood — it is a way of life. Growing up on his family’s farm in Maynooth, Ontario, he worked alongside his parents, who grew seed potatoes conventionally. He continued his agricultural education at Kemptville College, completing a two-year program before taking a two-month farrier course.
He then began working at Hardy Potato Farms, and later returned home to continue working for them, managing their seed potato operation on land rented from his family and other local farms. But a tragedy shifted Henry’s path in ways he could never have anticipated.
A Loss That Sparked a Change
Henry’s younger sister was just 19 when she suddenly and mysteriously passed away. It was potato planting season, and they were using an insecticide powder that went into the ground with the seed.
While she never handled the chemicals directly, she often rode along on the back of the equipment, exposed to the insecticide dust. She developed headaches and nausea, and within two weeks, she was gone—leaving doctors mystified and the family heartbroken.
Her death left Henry questioning everything he thought he knew about farming. He began researching organic practices, eventually attending a Canadian Organic Growers (COG) conference. What he learned there only solidified his concerns.
At the time, Henry and his wife, Janet, had rented a few fields to neighbouring conventional farmers. One day, while walking the land, they turned over a rock on their organic soil and saw an abundance of life—worms, insects and other signs of activity. In the rented, conventionally treated fields, the soil was lifeless. The contrast was stark.
By 1994, they made the decision to transition their farm to organic certification.
Building a Sustainable Organic Potato Farm
The farm is located on sandy loam soil, with a clay underlay which helps maintain moisture. But potatoes are a ‘hungry’ crop, requiring good soil fertility. To achieve this, and because he farms organically, Henry has adopted a long rotation cycle of 4-5 years. Potatoes are planted following two or more years of a hay crop containing 45-50% legumes (clover, trefoil). Composted manure is also applied before the potatoes are planted and micronutrient sources such as kelp, calcium phosphate, and greensand are applied when needed.
Colorado potato beetles can be a problem wherever potatoes are grown. Since he doesn’t use harsh chemical sprays to control them, Henry plants the potatoes later than most growers – in mid-June. That way he avoids the first and major infestation of the potato beetle. If necessary, he picks any later beetles in a pail or, on rare occasions, will spot spray with an organic-approved product such as Entrust or similar. He is also careful to remove any volunteer potatoes in last year’s fields that could harbour beetles.
Standards for growing certified organic seed potatoes for sale are demanding. Since the farm is certified organic, Henry must keep detailed records and receives a certifying inspector visit once a year. Disease-free nuclear seed potatoes are purchased from the government-approved SPUD unit in New Liskeard. During the growing season, the crop is inspected twice by inspectors from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and once again during storage. Before selling seed potatoes in the Spring, samples must be sent to a lab to ensure they are free of bacterial ring rot.
Favourite Potato Varieties
- German Butterball – Best-selling variety, good yield, fairly blight-resistant, and excellent flavour.
- Fianna – Highly disease-resistant, long cooking time, excellent for storage, and strong yields when planted early.
- All Red – Distinct pink flesh and red skin, with good yield and flavour.
- Blue Steele – An early variety with good yield, ideal for those wanting more colour on their plates.
- Austrian Crescent & French Fingerlings – Both high-yielding, flavourful, and popular among customers.
- Leaving an empty row between different varieties.
- Avoiding planting similar-looking potatoes next to each other.
- Stopping the harvester and clearing it completely before switching to a new variety.
- Harvesting different-coloured potatoes in succession to make cross-mixing easy to catch.
Most of his marketing has been through word of mouth, but the farm has also built a presence on Facebook, Instagram, and its website. He tries to attend local Seedy Saturdays and other related events whenever possible, connecting with other growers and customers who share his values.
Lessons from a Lifetime in Organic Farming
With seven decades of farming experience – three of them dedicated to organic growing – Henry has advice for those considering a similar path:
- Choose the right land. If possible, start with sandy loam soil, far from conventional potato farms to reduce contamination risks.
- Master weed control. A tine weeder and chain harrow used before the plants emerge can be effective, along with strategic cultivation and hilling. Henry uses a team of horses for this work to minimize soil compaction
- Outsmart the beetles. Planting after the full moon in June helps avoid peak Colorado potato beetle infestations.
- Design your fields wisely. Smaller plots and surrounding hayfields can help attract pests away from potatoes.
A Simple Love for Potatoes
When asked his favourite way to eat potatoes, Henry’s response is as practical as his farming philosophy: “With a fork.”
But when pressed for a recipe, he recalls a dish from his Hungarian heritage –
Kartoffel Glasse – a comforting combination of caramelized onions, cabbage, noodles, and crispy potatoes, seasoned with salt, pepper, and perhaps a touch of paprika.
For Henry, potatoes are more than just a crop – they’re a legacy, a livelihood, and a lesson in resilience. His journey from conventional to organic farming has been shaped by love, loss, and an unwavering commitment to the health of his soil, his customers, and his family.
Two years ago, he faced another heartbreaking loss when his wife, Janet, passed away unexpectedly. She was the heart of the farm, ensuring everything ran smoothly, supporting Henry and his vision without hesitation. More than that, she made the farm a place of warmth and welcome – where no visitor ever left without a full belly and a full heart.
Henry Ellenberger
Ellenberger Organic Farm
Coe Hill, ON
613-337-8824
ellenbergerorganicfarm@gmail.com
(Written by daughter Erin Ellenberger)