Plympton-Wyoming’s Brian Schoonjans has been presented with the Outstanding Farmer Award by the Lambton Soil and Crop Improvement Association and the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority.
Schoonjans was recognized for his exceptional work both within the farming and non-farming communities, as well as his numerous contributions to the region.
The Plympton-Wyoming native grows three common crops on his land – corn, soybeans and wheat. Occasionally he grows oats for his goat herd and for cover crop seed.
After purchasing a 150-acre farm on Douglas Line in Plympton-Wyoming in 2000, Schoonjans has spent two decades participating in the Ag in the Classroom program and regularly shares his knowledge about agriculture, visiting classrooms in the Lambton Kent District School Board.
Along with speaking about agriculture to students, Schoonjans has also been involved in the Kaeden Brown Foundation – an organization that hands out scholarships and supports a variety of local community projects – while also starting up Pumpkins for Wes as a memorial fund.
Schoonjans’ involvement with the Kaeden Brown Foundation gave him the inspiration for starting Miracle Max’s Minions in 2019.
Following the passing of two year-old Max Rombouts due to cancer, Schoonjans created Miracle Max’s Minions on the rolling hill and valley of his farm, as a way for the Rombouts family as well as the community to commemorate the youngster.
The sunflower patch later evolved into a something remarkable: a corn maze spelling out Miracle Max’, growing Max o Lanterns, donating greenery and turning sunflowers into SMILE ale at Stonepickers Brewery.
In 2020, thousands of visitors at four separate Miracle Max sunflower locations donated close to $140,000, with the funds going towards organizations such as Ch’ildCan, which supports pediatric research and families with children fighting cancer.
Over the past two years, Schoonjans has spent much of his time organizing, planting and manicuring plots, setting up signs and collecting funds while speaking with visitors on his farm and on social media about Miracle Max’s Minions.
The Lambton Soil and Crop Improvement Association and the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority said in a statement that Schoonjans “has been a very strong farmer’s voice within Lambton County and beyond.”
The presentation of the 2020 award had been pushed back several times due to COVID-19.