Western Michigan University
Timothy Palmer
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Sparks Cedarlee Farm provides sustainable organic food to the market using only natural sources of feed, vaccinations and genetics. They raise chickens and dairy cows which produce meat, milk, and cheese to the market.
Organic farming has sprung up out of the demand by consumers for more natural food. Consumers often vote with their wallets and markets respond to those consumer demands. Sparks Cedarlee Farm made that transition from traditional farming to 100% organic. Ken explains that he is not against traditional farming techniques, he just prefers to leave out the chemicals and genetics which take away from nature. Ken stated that his dairy products are sent to market locally and they take the water out of the milk and send it across seas. Organic farming is an old style farming practice brought back to life which makes it innovative relative to traditional farming techniques. Organic farming requires a different set of techniques than does traditional farming. Organic farms have to source all animal feed from 100% organic sources. Fertilizer, vaccines, genetics, all have to be organically sourced. This can make things more challenging especially when animals get sick, natural vaccines are not as effective.
Ken's primary inspiration to farm organically was his want to go back to the farm he grew up on and make a living farming alongside his brother. Sparks Cedarlee Farm is a family farm and the brothers always wanted to go into the dairy business together. The organic inspiration came when they noticed a big demand for organic products and they then made the transition to all organic dairy and chicken. Ken explains he didn't want to work for someone else and always had a dream to get back on the farm with his family.
The impact of the innovation on the business is sustainable growth. Families in southwest Michigan have asked for local, organically-sourced food. Ken's decision to covert from traditional farming methods to 100% organic meeting important needs. The impact on society is improved health and nutrition. Last, the sustainable farming techniques used by Sparks Cedarlee Farm positively benefit the natural environment by eliminating potentially toxic pesticides and herbicides from entering the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Businesses benefit when they follow the trends of their consumers. Consumers are demanding healthier, locally sourced food which offers them a better quality life. Businesses which capitalize on these early trends benefit the most. Sparks Cedarlee Farm is doing well following the consumer demands and the success of the farm also benefits the community by employing 30 people. Ken mentioned he networks with a lot of different people, from suppliers, to marketers, to employees to farmers. These connections have big business benefits for everyone and its enjoying to Ken to make a positive impact in all these peoples lives.
Society has benefited in recent years from a consumer-driven demand for organic and locally sourced food. The environmental benefit of organically sourced products is natural. The production of organic food is a natural process and not disturbed by genetically modified organisms or other human interaction of plant or animal species. Ken does not have anything against GMO's as they have their benefits such as growing more crops with less land. Organic however is nature as it should be, we care about this because it does not overwork the environment. We need our environment and we should strive to protect it as nature intended us to.
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Ken Sparks, Owner/Manger
