Local farm adjusting model due to COVID-19

WILLARD — A Willard-based farming giant is taking Covid-19 challenges and bringing them into in Huron County. Wiers Farms, a 100-plus-year-old agricultural giant has gone against the grain by shipping fresh-produce from its farm near Sarasota, Fla., to its Willard location. With stay-at-home orders across the nation taking a big bite out of the restaurant and schools industry, many Florida farmers are plowing fresh vegetables into the soil. As an alternative, Wiers has taken to transporting its produce back to Huron County and offering it online at a discount to residents. "With people staying home there has been a big dip in restaurant sales. Rather than plow it over or let the crops go to waste we are using our shipper, Dutch Maid Logistics, to bring the produce back to the farm in Willard," Hunter Wiers said. Hunter, who is part of the fifth generation of Wiers farmers, said the company has adjusted on the fly with the realities of the pandemic. "We were talking in our meetings and with shortages in grocery stores we wanted to help fill the void," Wiers said. If company officials wanted to provide a cost-effective alternative to the depleted grocery chains, they had to find the best way to move the product. "What we did there was pack these big boxes full of zucchini, peppers and other produce and send it to Willard," Wiers said. "Once it gets there, we repackage them in smaller food boxes we pack ourselves for the customers." The whole process has become quite streamlined and offers those who are skittish about going out an opportunity to get wholesome fresh produce without risking going out in public. "The customer can go online and see the actual items they are getting," Wiers said. "For those who are at-risk, or just uncomfortable going out in public, they can get the fresh produce without leaving their car. We box it up and throw it in their trunk for them if they wish and they even can pay online. It is all very nice." Depending on how the demand flows on the other side of the pandemic, Wiers Farms may have found a new stream of business. "Right now, it is hard to say how things will turn out, but we would like to continue this when things go back to normal," Wiers said. "It all depends on how much demand there is. If we are getting the same type of response and the orders are there, we will continue doing it as long as it makes sense." For the time being, Wiers is happy to see people from all walks of life rallying together as one. "What is refreshing is seeing people stepping up to help others," he said. "Whether it is supporting health care workers or local business the people of this community always has stepped up."