Walker Farms and its Unforgettable Commitment to Community
“If I wouldn’t eat it, I wouldn’t sell it to you,” says Walker Farms co-owner Kelly Walker.
What began as an acre of land and a vision has turned into a beloved farm and greenhouse in Flint & Genesee. Over 70 years ago, Betty and Junior Walker started Walker Farms on that one-acre plot of land, and since then, the family has grown it to 180 acres today.
Upon the death of Junior, his son Kelly took over the farm with his mother, and the two of them expanded their offerings. The family had begun selling their products to neighbors, and as demand grew, so too did their products and market. Walker Farms built a greenhouse to complement the fields and offered a selection of seasonal flowers and plants. The Walkers focused on a Pick-Your-Own business model, where people would come to the farm to pick their own strawberries and shop for produce at their small market. To increase their reach, the family took their excess goods to farmers' markets in Flint and Detroit.
The farm has undergone many changes, evolving to meet the shifting needs of its customers. Today, it boasts thriving greenhouses that complement the crops they grow. Visitors to Walker Farms will find a variety of fresh vegetables, depending on the season, including sweet corn, tomatoes, green beans, and more.
Over the years, the family has formed close relationships with their customers and considers many of them part of their extended family. As the Walkers got to know their customers, they could also keep an eye out for certain types of produce to meet their exact needs.
“When the person comes to you, they’re like family, and we’ll know what to put back and hold for them. We’ll have that ready for them,” Betty says.
That spirit of community and taking care of their customers is why so many of them have been coming here for generations. Their parents and grandparents came to Walker Farms for vegetables or flowers, and now the children go there because they know they can rely on them.
As the seasons run together for this mother and son, the focus is always on the next crop and meeting the needs of their customers. No matter rain, shine, snow, or anything else, “The job’s gotta be done,” says Kelly Walker. It’s this dedication that has kept their farm thriving.
As for what sort of legacy the Walkers hope their farm has, it’s simple: “We would hope that we put out a great product,” Kelly points out. “We hope that people had a special reason to come here, for the service and the product. There are very few places you’ll go where you’ll see the owner, but you’re going to see the owner when you come here. You’ll see one of us.”
“There’s no way they’ll ever forget me,” says Betty.
With dedication to their customers and bringing quality, farm-fresh produce to them, there’s no way anyone who visits Walker Farms will forget about the family or the farm.
You can find Walker Farms at 5235 E. Atherton Rd., Burton, MI, 48519.
Their phone number is 810.743.0260.
Flint & Genesee is home to many other great farm markets to visit, such as:
Grand Blanc City Farmers Market
From foodies to families simply keeping an eye on what their families are eating, it’s hard to beat food fresh from the farm in Flint & Genesee.
