Canadian Eastern Growers is a family owned business nestled in the rolling hills just outside Drummond New Brunswick.
The first generation started the farm in 1976, at this point, Gilles and Ginette Cote purchased an old farm of 100 acres and started planting 50 acres of seed potatoes. Seed varieties planted at this time were mainly: Kennebecs and Kathadins grown for the Quebec, Ontario and USA markets.
They take pride in being one of the first to install terraces and waterways in the area to protect the fields for future generations and also protect the environment, Gilles also started Victoria Soils and Crop in 1978 and in 1999 was one of the first growers to complete the Environmental Farm Plan.
Seed Potatoes have always been of interest to the Cote family, they have always invested in trialing and evaluating new varieties of potatoes from the seventies to today. Always keeping up to date with the many changes of the seed industry and more importantly, the needs of their clients. In 1978 and 1979, sons Eric and Andre are born, assuring a second generation to continue in the footsteps of their parents, and are both certified Agricultural Technologists. Over the years the family has grown the operation to over 400 acres of seed potatoes consisting of over 30 commercial varieties and over 400 acres of rotational crops.
In 2012, the family adds Canadian Eastern Growers Inc. to their operations, growing multiple new cultivars under agreement and representation. Since the creation of Canadian Eastern Growers Inc., the family has been doing extensive trialing of over 35 new varieties annually. They have launched with much success varieties like: Colorado Rose, Canela Russet, AAC Canada Gold, AAC Valley Crisp and continue to be a major seed influence on markets in Canada, the USA and abroad.
They now have over 40 years of experience and are committed to producing the highest quality seed potatoes and respecting strict sanitary protocols, Canadian Eastern Growers Inc. and their devoted seed group are assisting their growers in growing better potato crops.
Affiliations: New Brunswick Seed Potato Growers Association (Director and Chairman), Environmental Farm Plan since 1999, Soils and Crops, Potatoes NB, Colorado cultivar Representative for Canada and New Brunswick Shippers Association.
