Apr 20, 2022

Michigan’s VanSingel Farms closing, auction scheduled

After 38 successful years of business for the owners at VanSingel Farms Produce of Grant, Michigan, they have decided it is time to retire and with that will be closing their doors.

VanSingel Farms Produce was well-known for packaging and distributing products grown by them, a family-owned, third-generation grower.

VanSingel Farms were comprised of over 1,500 acres on the Grant Marsh in western Michigan. Accordingly to its website, VanSingel Farms Produce was the largest packer and distributor of onions in Michigan. Although they were well known for their onions, they also distributed carrots and parsnips.

In 2006, the Michigan Vegetable Council’s Distinguished Service Award was presented to brothers Stan, Keith and Cal VanSingel of VanSingel Farms.

At the time the award was presented, Vegetable Growers News reported the VanSingel family has farmed in the Grant area since the early 1900s when the brothers’ grandfather operated a small dairy farm, which also grew onions and some other vegetables. Their father, Peter, transitioned the farm from dairy to vegetables after he started farming in the late 1930s. He grew onions and later added carrots, which were sold to the Campbell Soup Co. The area around Grant, with its rich organic soil, is a natural for growing onions, carrots and other vegetables. Over the years, the farm expanded to about 1,500 total acres, including 1,200 acres of vegetables vegetables (400 acres of onions, 400 acres of carrots and other crops).

Stan and Cal are primarily involved in the farm operations, while Keith runs VanSingel Farms Produce Marketing LLC, which packs and markets the farm’s produce, as well as produce from some other neighboring farms. Most of their produce is sold directly to retail chain stores, with the balance moved through brokers.

The VanSingels have been active in industry and community organizations and their churches. Stan currently served on the Michigan Carrot Committee. He has served as a board member of the National Onion Association and is a past president of the Michigan Muck Farmers Association. He has also served as Grant Township supervisor.

According to a news release, with the retirement of the owners under way, VanSingel Farms Produce will be selling all of its equipment assets through Online Auction. Orbitbid.com, an online auction company, will be selling these assets in a one-day, online auction on Tuesday, April 26.
Items will include: onion packing line, baggers, sorting tables, conveyors, onion boxes, electric motors, forklifts, semi-trucks, box truck, refer trailer, semi-trailers, shop Tools and much more.

Items are located at 1907 E 120th St., Grant, MI 49327 and will be available to preview the day before the auction as well as the day of. All bidding will take place on Tuesday, April 26, starting at 8 a.m., and bidding will begin closing at 6 p.m. the same day. For detailed information and to bid, visit Orbitbid.com

Orbitbid.com, is a part of the Miedema Asset Management Group. Located at 601 Gordon Industrial Court in Byron Center, Michigan. Miedema Asset Management Group is a family of companies, owned and operated by Sid and Scott Miedema, licensed auctioneers in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio and Florida. MAMG specializes in the sale of assets, equipment, and real estate via live auction, online auction and private treaty, as well as appraisals.

Michigan Vegetable Council President Joe Pirrone, left, presents the Master Farmer Award to Stan, center, and Cal VanSingel. Photo: Gary Pullano.