Schmidt Farms Ltd.

Schmidt Farms Ltd.: Growing Potatoes, Growing Family Traditions

By Serena Gray-Withers

June 1, 2026

For nearly 50 years, Schmidt Farms Ltd. has been rooted in potato farming, building a family operation that continues to evolve while staying grounded in tradition.

Founded by Justo Schmidt’s grandfather, Peter Schmidt, in the late 1970s, the farm began with potatoes early on — a crop that would ultimately define the family business for generations to come.

“We’ve been in potatoes almost from the beginning,” Juston says. “Now we’re coming up on 50 years, which is pretty incredible to think about.”

Located near Winkler, the farm has grown significantly over the decades. What once started as a few hundred acres has expanded into a much larger operation spanning a couple of thousand acres, with a continued focus on improving efficiency, yield, and quality.

Today, Schmidt Farms grows red, yellow, and russet potatoes, along with rotational crops such as corn and canola.

Despite the challenges that come with potato farming, Juston says the crop has remained at the heart of the operation for good reason.

“Sometimes I wonder why we chose potatoes,” he says with a laugh. “It’s definitely challenging, but there can also be really good rewards. There were good opportunities in potatoes, and once you invest in it, it becomes hard to step away from.”

Over the years, the operation has continued to expand and modernize. Four years ago, the family purchased an additional farm near Vita, giving the operation two home bases. The farm has also invested heavily in infrastructure, including major renovations at Heartland Fresh Pak, a partnership between Haskett Growers and Schmidt Farms focused on potato storage and packing.

As the business has grown, so too has the family involvement. While Juston’s grandfather has since passed away and his uncles have retired from farming, three generations still remain connected to the operation — with Juston now working alongside his own son while raising five children of his own.

“The family aspect is probably what keeps me most passionate about farming,” Juston says. “You want to continue something that was built by previous generations while preparing opportunities for the next ones.”

Like many farms, Schmidt Farms has seen major changes in technology and day-to-day operations over the past two decades. Farming involves much more than simply planting and harvesting potatoes. Over the years, farming has evolved with equipment becoming larger, technology being integrated into day-to-day operations, and increasingly sophisticated systems shaping industry.

“Technology has changed a lot in the last 20 years,” Juston says. “You go from physically doing all the work yourself to managing teams and systems that help everything run more efficiently.”

Even with those advancements, potato farming remains a demanding and unpredictable business. Different varieties each bring their own strengths and challenges, though Juston admits he does have a personal favourite.

“The Colomba variety is probably my favourite for both growing and eating,” he says. “But every variety has its ups and downs in the field.”

For Juston, one of the most rewarding parts of farming potatoes is the direct connection to consumers.

“With potatoes, you’re growing something fresh that ends up directly on someone’s plate,” he says. “You’re feeding the community, and there’s something really rewarding about that.”

Looking ahead, Juston hopes the farm continues to thrive as a family operation for generations to come.

“I hope all my kids are part of it someday,” he says. “And hopefully even the grandkids too. We want to continue adapting to what the market demands and keep the farm successful long into the future.”

As suppliers for Peak of the Market Ltd., the family also values the partnerships that help connect Manitoba-grown produce with consumers across the province.

“Being part of Peak means working with great people and a great organization,” Juston says. “They do an excellent job marketing and delivering our product to consumers, and we’re proud to be part of that.”