Founded in 1907 after the Weesies family immigrated from the Netherlands, the farm has grown from its humble beginnings into a multifaceted business. Today, Weesies Brothers Farms operates four retail garden centers across Michigan and supplies plants wholesale throughout the state, including to established garden centers in Petoskey, Traverse City, and even as far as Chicago.
Mark oversees the greenhouse operations, where they produce a wide variety of plants, from hanging baskets to perennials. Much of their plant stock, including vegetables and herbs, is grown from seed on the farm. Meanwhile, Ryan leads the landscaping division, offering full-service lawn care, irrigation, and hardscape installations, along with maintaining a 100-acre field crop operation that includes their highly popular sweet corn and pumpkins.
The Weesies family has faced numerous challenges over the years, including labor shortages during WWII, floods, and the economic downturns that forced them to pivot their business focus. Notably, the farm transitioned away from celery production in the late 1990s to concentrate more on landscaping and greenhouse operations, leading to the expansion of their garden centers.
Their success is deeply intertwined with the support of the local community, which has always rallied around them during tough times, whether it was helping during floods or supporting the business during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Weesies Brothers Farms is not just a business; it’s a testament to the power of family, community, and resilience. For more information on their services and history, visit Weesies Brothers Farms or follow them on social media.
