Looking down at your dinner on an average Friday night, you may poke halfheartedly at your potatoes, popping them into your mouth without a second thought.
Indeed, the production of the common table potato would not be enough to concern most people in their day to day lives; however, for Edwin and John Mans, potatoes are their lives.
Phoenix Farms, located south of Nobleford has been producing a variety of potatoes since 1983.
John immigrated to Canada from Holland with his parents. Having grown potatoes in Holland, it was a natural agricultural choice for the Mans family. John’s son Edwin now co-owns and operates the farm with his father.
Phoenix Farms is responsible for the production of both table potatoes and seed potatoes. One of their more popular crops is their yellow potatoes, which have a reputation for being both healthier and tastier than a white potato.
“We do believe that we are unique taste-wise,” says John about his potatoes.
The potatoes are not the only element on this farm that is unique. As a father and son operation, Phoenix Farms offers a family quality to its production and sales.
In fact, exceptional customer service is something that both men seem to place above all else in their business.
“We want to make sure that with the seed we are selling, that the quality is there or else we won’t sell it,” says Edwin.
“Customer service is very important to us.”
And apparently, service could not be too big or too small for the Mans- as they will accept customers looking to purchase one sack or 100 sacks of their potatoes.
“We like to take care of our customers,” adds Edwin.
Though it is evident that their customers are of incredible importance to them, they would not be able to achieve the level of success with their customers that they have if it was not for their dedication to their product. In fact, they see their commitment as a benefit to their lifestyle.
“The advantage to this operation is that it is pretty much year round,” says John, “And it is never boring.”
Variety is an element of potato farming business that attracts both John and Edwin the most.
“We are always looking at new varieties of potatoes, pretty much every year,” says Edwin.
Even the challenges that the family faces in their production are seen as ways to gather experience and improve their product.
“If a new variety comes out, we have to think of how it will adapt to the region,” says John.
The unpredictable southern Alberta weather also presents a challenge to the potato production.
“Bad weather can make the yellow potatoes seem more unattractive and you need a nice appearance when you sell them in stores,” says Edwin.
“The wholesale demands more and more quality and appearance,” adds John. “If you can’t adhere to their quality standards, they will go somewhere else.”
Though they cannot control the weather, Edwin and John are sure to keep close watch over the elements in crop production that they can control. This ensures a quality product, and subsequent customer satisfaction.
“We try to raise crops as natural as possible,” says John.
“If you don’t take care of your land, you’ll pay for it in the future,” adds Edwin.
Though potato production is their main focus, Phoenix Farms also produces cereal grain seed. They also will perform cereal mixing in which they make customer requested blends- yet another feature in their customer service repertoire.
Additionally, Edwin is a dealer for  Forages, buying and selling alfalfa and grasses in the area.
The life of a farmer is inherently busy; however, the Mans seem to find the bustle not only appealing, but rewarding as well.
Indeed, agriculture has become more than just a business for John and Edwin Mans, as John confidently states, “farming is not only a job, but it is also a lifestyle”.