The sweetest smell on earth: An experience for all your senses

By Valerie Posthumus

The Haldimand Press

DUNNVILLE—“It’s not easy making a living farming these days, so the kids aren’t sure yet if they want to farm yet, but this calling has taught us much about life, faith, and trust,” said James Richardson, a sixth-generation farmer in Dunnville.

While Richardson has followed in his father and uncle’s steps, purchasing a quarter-acre next to his parents’ farm in 1997 to produce strawberries, he has had to grow and expand the business to keep it successful. Striving to serve their customers in more ways, James and his wife Kirsten added more fruits and vegetables to their offerings and began attending farmers’ markets in 2000. Richardson’s Farm & Market also has an on-site store with many homemade products, from relishes, fresh fruits, and vegetables, to something for everyone with a sweet tooth.

Since 2009, visitors have enjoyed guided tours, tapping trees, maple syrup demonstrations, and tasting of the final product. Every year on the farm, the Richardsons also welcome school tours and community groups. In order to continue to evolve and offer more to their visitors, they are adding a new element this year, a maple dining experience they are calling “The Sweetest Smell on Earth”.