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History
The history of Visser Farms started when in 1896 Marinus Staal and Maria Westrate were married in the Netherlands. In 1902 they came to America and bought the farm we now farm on Bauer Rd & 20th Ave in Jenison , Mi. Marinus and Maria had two children. Cornelius and Catherine. In the mid 1920 they hired a farm hand named Cornelius Visser from Bauer & 72nd. Cornelius and Catherine married on Oct. 25, 1928. They had 10 children. The oldest named Minard farmed with his parents and he married Anna Meekhof on Feb 27, 1953. They had 3 children. They helped their parents farm and go to market in the early years. | |
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| In 1970 Minard and Anna bought the farm on Blair St were we still farm and the main cooler and washers and storage sheds are. Doug married Mari Vander Zwaag on Nov. 5, 1976, and they bought her families farm which had been in their family since 1861. It is at 5888 – 120th Ave. They have 6 children and they farmed with his parents and continued to go to market and they raised pigs and cows. A daughter, Bev Essenburg still helps at the market and in the greenhouses and on the farm. Phil married Cindy Koetsier on Nov. 19,1982. They live on the main farm next door to Minard and they have 7 children and also farmed with their parents and Doug and Mari.. Minard and Anna went to the Fulton Street Farmers Market and he still goes to this day. | |
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In 1981 Doug and Phil started going the Holland Farmer’s Market and in a few years Doug started to go to Grand Haven Market and Phil & Cindy kept going to Holland. A few years later Mari ran the Visser Farms stall at the Grand Haven Market and Doug started going to the Muskegeon Market. In 1989 we built our first greenhouse on the Blair St. farm and that started our spring flower growing. At that time we started going to Shipshewana, Indiana to sell at the flea market in May and the first part of June.
In 1999 Rob, Doug & Mari’s oldest son, started going to Kalamazoo to the Bank Street Market and Andy , Phil and Cindy’s son started going to Rockford Farmer’s market. All of the kids work on the farm or help in any way they can. | |
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Doug and Mari’s kids are Kathy Kooiker, Rob Visser, Jodi Diemer, Mitch Visser, Laurie TerHaar, & Jon Visser.
Phil & Cindy’s kids are Casey Visser, Andrew Visser, Jo Ellen Visser, Jacob Visser, William Visser, Luke Visser, & Isaac Visser
We are overwhelmed by the amazing grace of God shown from generation to generation.
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Visser Farms • 10791 Blair • Zeeland, MI 49464
616.875.8559
info@visser-farms.com | | |
