MEET YOUR FARMERS
We’re Garrit and Rebecca, the husband-and-wife team behind Sunshine Market Garden. Farming isn’t just our work — it’s our way of life, and we’re proud to share the food we grow with families across Southern Alberta.
Our Story
Farming has always been part of our lives.
- Garrit spent his teenage years working in agriculture before moving into horticulture, where he developed a passion for working with plants.
- Rebecca grew up surrounded by horticulture and later studied Plant and Soil Science at Lethbridge College, which led her into agriculture full-time.
Our original dream was to start a horticulture business and sell flowers. But when we purchased an acreage five years ago and built our first 30’ x 100’ greenhouse, it was too late in the season for flowers. Instead, we decided to try our hand at vegetables — and we’ve never looked back.
That first year in 2021, we sold a small harvest and eggs from our own chickens through a simple self-serve stand at the farm gate. The response from our community was incredible, and each year we expanded our gardens to keep up with the demand.
In July of 2022 we purchased a new and much larger store to replace the self-serve store. This gave us the space to sell not only our vegetables but also products from other local vendors. This was the start of staffing our store and truly growing into a community marketplace.
Previously, we bought in a significant amount of greenhouse vegetables from other growers to keep up with demand. In the fall of 2024 we took the leap into large-scale greenhouse production by purchasing a 14,000 sq. ft. greenhouse in Barons. Originally built for flowers, we transitioned it into vegetable production to meet the growing demand for fresh, local produce year-round.
Alongside our greenhouse crops, we now grow over 2 acres of outdoor vegetables, supplying our store, our Fresh Produce Program, Farmers Markets and a local grocery store and now expanding to home delivery! Each year we find ways to grow more produce for our customers!
How We Farm
At Sunshine Market Garden, we believe food should be grown in a way that’s good for both people and the planet.
- All of our crops are grown in soil — even our greenhouse crops — because we believe this produces vegetables with superior flavor and nutrition.
- We harvest multiple times per week to make sure what you take home is as fresh as possible.
- We farm sustainably, using organic methods, beneficial insects, crop covers, crop rotation, compost, and cover crops to nurture healthy soil and plants.
Our Team
While Sunshine Market Garden started with just the two of us, today it’s truly a team effort.
- We employ four full-time staff at our Coalhurst location and one full-time employee in our Barons greenhouse.
- Each season, we welcome summer students who gain hands-on farming experience while bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm to our fields.
- Our older children also love to lend a hand, whether in the store or the garden, making this truly a family farm.
Why We Do This
For us, farming is more than growing food — it’s about building community, caring for the land, and reconnecting people with where their food comes from. Every seed planted, every weed pulled, and every harvest is done with care so that when you sit down at your table, you can taste the difference.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to grow food for you, and we can’t wait to welcome you to Sunshine Market Garden.
