About Murphy’s Farm & the Murphy Family

Our rural roots were established in Canada over 180 years ago when Andrew Murphy came to Ontario from the village of Draperstown, in County Derry Ireland in 1831. It was his great grandson William A. Murphy that settled on this fertile farmland on the Essa Flats in 1913. Five generations later, the Murphy family continues to farm potatoes on the same bountiful property.

It was Mark and Shawn Murphy who opened the first retail farm stand in 1983. In 1990 they expanded the business and built the post and beam building it is today. Mark and Shawn were awarded Outstanding Young Farmers in all of Canada in 1993. The farm market grew successfully with pick your own fruits and vegetables as well as many on farm activities for families.

As time went on it became difficult to manage the demands of both the potato crops and farm market. Mark and Shawn decided it was best to streamline the farming operation and focus more on the potato crops. During this time, Murphy’s Farmstead continued to serve the community during asparagus season.

The Murphy family with interest from their grown children Hollis, Secord, Jacey, Calder and Connor) reopened the market full-time in the spring of 2010. You can expect a variety of fruits and vegetables available, many that you might not see in a traditional grocery store. The bakery is another hot spot to visit in the farm market, with breads, pies, butter tarts and more made fresh daily, plus plenty of seasonal treats that will excite your tastebuds and keep you coming back for more!!

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Murphy Family

Land Acknowledgement

Murphy’s Farm Market & Bakery acknowledges that we are situated on the unceded traditional land of the Anishinabek Nation, including the Ojibway (Chippewas), Odawa and Potawatomi, collectively known as the Confederacy of the Three Fires.

While the Murphy family has cared for and farmed on this land for five generations, we remember, honour and celebrate the families who came before us, and who have lived, worked, farmed, laughed, loved and raised their children on this same land for countless generations prior to our arrival.

We are dedicated to honouring, upholding and showcasing our Indigenous history and culture, and committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect with all First Nation, Métis and Inuit people.

(This land acknowledgement is also posted physically within our Market)