North Thompson Star/Journal SMALL BUSINESS WEEK, Monday, October 18, 2010
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October 17 - 23, 2010
Amaranth: a partnership with Mother Nature By Jill Hayward North Thompson Star/Journal Walk down a garden path – and stroll along under the trees; absorb the comforting quiet of the shaded places, and enjoy the softness of the tree branches as they gently touch you in passing. Take a deep breath and clear your mind. Can you smell the warmth of moist rich earth, the sharp pungency of newly mown hay, and the clean vibrant scent of the pine trees? Can you feel the peace of this land as the river gurgles beside it? This is a place where time can stand still, where Mother Nature is at her best – this is Amaranth Farm and Nursery. Amaranth was founded by Cheryl and Bob Hearn in 1970, nestled beside the North Thompson River, at the end of Glenacre Road in McLure. “We basically homesteaded the place,” says Bob, “There wasn’t a single tree here in 1970, we’ve planted them all, and now there’s 2,000 on the property.” The Hearns didn’t just plant trees though. They built a spacious home, surrounded it with lush gardens, colourful shrubs,
and of course – their beloved trees. Trees of all shapes and sizes now stand tall throughout the property; a testament to the Hearn’s hard work, and to the success of their vision. A vision which has been the main focus of the farm for the past 15 years – the growing and marketing of deciduous and coniferous trees for landscaping and homeowners. Bob says the growing and marketing of coniferous trees such as Colorado blue and green spruce, Austrian pine, and colourful shade trees isn’t all that Amaranth Farm produces. “I think we are considered a ‘mixed farm’,” says Bob, “We grow hay here as well, and also pasture cattle for a local rancher.” He notes that wife Cheryl is a major part of their “joint partnership” when it comes to the business of marketing trees and shrubs. “We have a 20 by 50 greenhouse where she pots up at least one deciduous tree or shrub, such as yew, boxwood, miniature spruces or firs; and then places perennial flowers or shrubs below it,” says Bob, “We then sell these pots to homeowners for their land-
scaping, or for the front door of their home.” He notes that the couple have recently completed a contract with Bella Terra Homes at Riverwalk subdivision in Barriere. “All the plant material in the landscaping at the eight new homes completed so far at Riverwalk is supplied by Amaranth. The only thing we didn’t supply
trees at the Wildfire Dragon Monument site in Louis Creek, and have supplied the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo facility with trees for a number of years.” He says that Amaranth annually brings in a liner of ground cover and shrubs in the spring. “This provides people with a little bit of a
Submitted photo:
(Above) Amaranth Farm and Nursery was founded by Cheryl and Bob Hearn in 1970; it’s nestled beside the North Thompson River at the end of Glenacre Road in McLure. (Left) Bob Hearn uses his tractor to load an order of 60 trees from Amaranth for Kamloops landscaper Pronto Enterprises for the campus at Thompson Rivers University with help from Adam Mills and Keifer Stout. Photo: Andrew Hayward
is the turf.” Bob says he works closely with, and supplies other area contractors with trees and shrubs, including One Step Landscaping, and W. Luison and Sons. “We’ve also supplied everything from ground cover to mature
choice, even though our focus is on the trees. People can also place special orders through us for specialized trees, ground cover, and shrubs,” says Bob, “We sell strictly wholesale to both business and the public.” The couple say
h are very gratethey ful for the encouragement and support they have received from the North Thompson. “People tell a friend, who tell a friend, who tell another friend, etc.,” says Bob. The Hearns return that support by giving back to the com-
i i off the h N munities Northh Thompson. Bob is a director of the North Thompson Communities Foundation, a director of the McLure Wildfire Monument Society, and a past director of the Lower North Thompson Community Forest
SSociety. Amaranth supports the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association, the Community Gardens, the Little Fort Recreation Society, the Heffley Creek School, and numerous other community functions, raffles, and draws. ...continued on page 5
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Photo: Andrew Hayward
Trees wrapped in burlap and wire baskets are ready for shipping from Amaranth Farm and Nursery to fill an order in Kamloops.
Amaranth: a partnership with Mother Nature Continued from page 1...
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As their product becomes known so does their product. “I think the setting here is one their business. The Hearn’s have just provided of the things that draws people. It’s a very Kamloops landscaper Pronto Enterprises with pleasant place here on the river. We display 60 trees for the campus at Thompson Rivers everything we sell in our own gardens on the University, and another 40 have recently been farm. People can see if they buy a 10 meter blue spruce what it will look like at 30 meters, shipped to Merritt and Nicola Lake. Amaranth trees are readied for sale or and they can see how well a blue spruce shows shipping by being dug out of the ground with up against other colours. Having everything an automated spade. They are then placed planted in our yard is def initely an advantage into a burlap and wire basket, which will not that we have over other garden centers.” The Hearns say be removed when the their cultivated trees tree is planted into the are har vested on ground. “We have a a rotation basis for sandy loam here in marketing. McLure,” says Bob, “I get to meet so many “We can har vest “If you have this plug 300 per year, and as of earth in the wire nice people.... That’s one of of right now we have basket, it sits in the the joys about this job” 1,500 left of that ground with the tree; rotation,” says Bob it has its own growing — Bob Hearn, Amaranth Farm and Nursery as he quotes a saymedium right there.” ing from the CBC’s He says the shade Vinyl Cafe program, trees are mainly sold “We’re not big – but as mature trees of 12 feet to 18 feet. “All of our shade trees are we are little.” He also notes that he enjoys the business hardy to the North Thompson Valley and Kamloops area. Late fall is still a very good of selling trees. “I get to meet so many nice time for planting as the trees are in a dormant people. They ask me about planting a tree, and stage. It’s just the same for them to be sitting some of them probably know more than I do,” in a hole in the ground in your yard as sitting says Bob with a smile, “ That’s one of the joys about this job.” here in the ground.” The Hearns have turned their vision into a Asked if he was happy with the way their business of marketing trees and shrubs has well run small business that gives them satisevolved, Bob replied, “We are def initely con- faction and joy. Amaranth Farm and Nursery tinuing on. I’m not sure we’re seeing the scope knows Mother Nature on a personal level and of future growth yet, but the sales have been has turned that knowledge into a successful North Thompson Valley business. more than satisfying this season.” You can contact Amaranth and the Hearns Bob says he believes the Amaranth Farm property has a lot to do with the marketing of by calling 250-672-9712 or 250-819-9712.
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