J and A Farm

J & A Farms

There is a deep and rich history that surrounds J & A Farms. The farm began in the early 1950’s when a Polish family living in Germany fled to the United States to make a better life for themselves. This family, headed by Joseph and Mary Sawicki, acquired land in Capac, MI and began farming. They started out growing various types of green beans and carrots, but eventually incorporated a variety of more vegetables, such as beets, spinach, mustard greens, turnips, cucumbers, tomatoes, parsley roots, and parsnips, among a few other vegetables. The family began selling at Eastern Market in the mid to late 1950’s. In the mid 1960’s, the Sawicki family also began to pop popcorn on the market, which was very popular among families.

In 1981, one of Joseph and Mary’s sons, Joe Sawicki, began to take over the farm. Joe also worked for Pittsburgh Paint, so he recruited his wife, Sandra, and three children to help with the farming. It was a lot of hard work, with hot summers and cold winters, without many breaks. But the family worked together and each did their portion to make the farm a success. In the early 1990’s, Sandra began to grow flowers and sell arrangements at Eastern Market. The beautiful flowers attracted many customers with attractive arrangements and flowers for every season. In the early 2000’s, as Joe and Sandra’s children began graduating high school and going off to college, Joe retired from Pittsburgh Paint and devoted all his time to the farm. The farm was now located in Imlay City, where rich peat soil prevails and healthy, organic vegetables can be grown.

Growing older and more tired, Joe Sawicki retired from going to Eastern Market in August of 2011. While Joe and Sandra still farmed, Sandra brought all of the produce and flowers to the Eastern Market herself, but she needed more help. That is when they sought their daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and Jason Hislop, to begin to take over operations at Eastern Market. Today, the Sawicki family still farms fresh, organic vegetables to sell at Eastern Market. Over the years, the farm has truly been a family affair. The farm still strengthens bonds, builds relationships, and provides healthy and fresh produce for many to benefit.