Nearly three decades after Edith and Len Rook first began growing vegetables at Dufferin Market Gardens, the family farm continues to evolve, guided by the same values that shaped its beginnings and strengthened by the next generation stepping into leadership.
For Tim Rook, carrying on what his parents started is both meaningful and deeply personal.
“It’s special continuing their legacy,” he says. “It’s also nice to see my dad still have meaningful input and employment even though he’s 75. Supporting my parents by continuing the farm is important to me.”
Some of Tim’s earliest memories are rooted in the fields: picking raspberries, holding cabbage bags while his father cut heads by hand, and crawling through rows to weed in rich black soil. Although farming wasn’t always his intended path, Tim once pursued a career in computer programming and lived in British Columbia, the farm remained a constant presence in his life. Over time, the operation grew, and the possibility of returning home became harder to ignore. Tim moved back at 39, ready to commit to the farm’s next chapter.
While the scale of Dufferin Market Gardens has expanded since its early days as a market garden supplying local retailers and the Carman Farmers’ Market, much has stayed the same.
“We’re still a family-run farm,” Tim says. “The kids are adults now, and there’s more management involved, but fundamentally the processes are the same. My dad still does all the seeding in the spring just like he always has.”
Today, Tim and his brother Phil divide responsibilities based on their individual strengths. Phil, a Red Seal heavy-duty mechanic, oversees food safety programs, shipping and warehouse operations, equipment maintenance, irrigation, procurement, and farm infrastructure projects. Tim brings background in project management and computer programming, leading farm production, workforce management, innovation, and the supervision of planting and harvest.
Together, the brothers have embraced new technologies and efficiencies to support the operation. Advanced seeding equipment, in-row irrigation systems, and mechanized cabbage harvesting have helped improve productivity and consistency while allowing the farm to focus its energy where it matters most.
People remain central to the success of Dufferin Market Gardens. Many seasonal workers have returned year after year, some for more than a decade. Building trust, creating opportunity, and fostering a respectful work culture are priorities Tim takes seriously.
“Choosing the right team is the first step,” he says. “When people feel their input is valued and can see the results of their ideas, it creates real ownership.”
Family involvement continues to shape daily life on the farm. Tim’s wife Vanessa works alongside their son Jared, ensuring he can participate meaningfully, while both of Tim’s parents remain actively involved. Phil and Tim stay in constant conversation, planning and problem-solving as the farm continues to grow.
Looking ahead, Tim hopes Dufferin Market Gardens will become increasingly supported by technology, operate with stable markets, and continue to be a reliable supplier of high-quality vegetables. Yet growth will always be balanced with stewardship and strong family values.
“Farming is tough,” Tim says. “But it’s also incredibly rewarding. Seeing growth, shipping high-quality vegetables, and doing business in an honourable way gives us a real sense of pride.”