A new chapter is beginning at Mapleton’s Organics, with the purchase of the farm and ice cream facilities by Cnossen Holsteins, longtime neighbours just down the road.
For 36 years, Mapleton’s Organic has been at the heart of organic farming education and innovation. Nestled along County Road 7 just outside Teviotdale, the dairy and agri-tourism farm has inspired generations since opening in 1990.
Why It Matters
Agri-tourism on working farms brings consumers closer to where their food comes from — and keeping a well-known operation like Mapleton’s Organic running preserves a rare rural-urban bridge in Ontario dairy country.
A neighbourly handoff for a 36-year-old farm
Harry Cnossen is well known in dairy circles for his advocacy of agricultural education. Three years ago, the farm hosted more than 1,700 community members for a Breakfast on the Farm event aimed at helping bridge the gap between rural and urban communities.
He said when his family takes over the operation in June he hopes to continue that tradition as the family revitalizes the Mapleton’s Organic operation. The family purchased the farm and quota from dairy farmer Korb Whale, who, along with his late wife, had operated the business since 2022.
Keeping it organic — and independent
Cnossen said he is committed to continuing to offer organic dairy products and is ready for the challenge of leading a company focused on what many still view as alternative farming.
“Organic is actually so hard for most farmers, and I think the money itself is also not completely in organic,” he said, adding that choosing an unconventional method of farming requires participants to be independent thinkers.
Cnossen said his family has also remained committed to using its own resources, and operating an independent dairy allows them to continue sharing their philosophy around independent farming. He pointed to trends in the United States, where more consumers are seeking products made without GMOs.
“More people are choosing to stay away from GMOs,” he said, adding that this is a philosophy he plans to continue as Cnossen Holsteins leads Mapleton’s Organic into the future.
Room for six kids in the family business
The father of six also sees expanding the operation as an opportunity to support the future succession of the family business.
“They all love the dairy industry, and we know it is actually going to be too costly to make a future for all six playing a role in dairy, but dairy is so big,” he said, adding there are many different paths to pursue within agriculture.
What’s next for the farm shop
“Once everything is cleaned up, because it needs a lot of cleaning, then we can actually make it pretty presentable for the people,” he said.
Cnossen said his family will continue welcoming visitors to the farm shop, which will offer organic dairy products. He also plans to expand the store’s offerings to include products such as Real Salt, which he already sells through the family farm’s website.
He said he understands the legacy associated with Mapleton’s Organic, which was founded by Martin DeGroot and Ineke Booy, and is proud to help build on it for the future.
“Many people from the countryside and in the city all know Mapleton’s Organic. There’s already a trade name,” he said, adding the company had long advocated for non-conventional farming practices.
“Every problem that happens in the body can also be fixed within the body, but it needs to be steered in the right direction.”
Though no official opening date has been announced yet, Cnossen said Mapleton’s Organic fans can expect the farm to be back open this summer.
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