Mr. Li's tea plants - Photo by Emily Chatwood / myFM News
It’s TCO Agromart Growing Up On The Farm; local families building the future of agriculture – one generation at a time…fueled by Kubota.
Today we are looking at The Li Family,
Li’s Tea & Nurseries in Tyendinaga Township is proving that tea can thrive in Ontario after years of research and testing.
Owner Randy Li, an agricultural specialist with a master’s degree in horticultural breeding, spent nearly six years developing cold-hardy tea plants that could survive local winters. He said the goal was to create something unlike anything else in the province.
“I need to do something unique,” Li said. “There is no tea farm in Ontario.”
Before purchasing the property, Li visited more than 100 farms while deciding what to grow. Instead of competing with established nurseries and wineries, he chose tea and Japanese maples as specialty crops. He believes the region’s tourism industry can benefit from offering visitors another unique stop.
The farm began marketing to the public this year after successfully proving the plants could survive outdoors through Ontario winters. “We are so happy,” Li said. “Everything survived, so it gives us confidence.”
Li said the business is focused on becoming part of the local community rather than rapid expansion. Future plans include educational tours for schools, seniors and youth groups, along with hands-on tea harvesting experiences.
“I just want to make a real tea farm,” Li said. “People can collect their own tea, drink tea and enjoy a different culture.”
The family-run operation also grows Japanese maples and hopes to become a destination for both tourism and horticultural education.
Hear our full interview here:
