My journey into farming began when I was just 9 years old. Inspired by the industrious spirit around me, I started a small maple syrup business. With snow still on the ground, I would wake early to tap trees and collect sap, and then spend hours boiling it down into rich, sweet syrup. Come summer that year, with the money I had earned from syrup sales, I took my first big step and bought 100 laying hens and some corn seed. I remember the thrill of gathering fresh eggs and the satisfaction of planting my first sweet corn crop.

At 10, I planted my first potato crop, a small plot that I nurtured with care and watched grow with pride. By 14, my ambition had grown, and so had my potato patch—it spanned a full acre. I poured my heart into that field, learning the rhythms of the land, the importance of patience, and the rewards of hard work. Each harvest was a lesson; each challenge an opportunity to grow.

At 19, I purchased my first farm, a sprawling 96 acres of possibility. I can still recall the feeling of standing on that land, knowing it was mine to cultivate, to nurture, to transform. The years that followed were filled with early mornings and late nights, planting, tending, and harvesting. The land became an extension of myself, each crop a testament to my dedication and love for farming.

Today, at 26, I stand proud on Alexiou Farms, now expanded to 500 acres. We produce over 200,000 pounds of potatoes annually, supplying grocery stores across central Ontario. Each potato is a piece of my journey, a symbol of hard work, passion, and the enduring spirit of farming.