In Conversation with Jim Sawyers of Sawyers Feed Mill

November 27, 2013 · 0 Comments

Located on the quiet street of Adeline in Shelburne, Sawyers Feed Mill is a local icon, a 3rd generation family run business spanning over 50 years of maintaining a level of trust, high regard, respect in the community they serve and love, and of course offer quality products unparalleled.

During a candid interview with Jim Sawyers, this otherwise deeply private man revealed what is important to him, what he thinks it takes to run a business over the course of decades and explains how history can play a key role in a man’s life.

Jim Sawyers is notably a quiet individual. He walks with the candor of a timeless film star from the 50’s, and like a Gregory Peck, sure footed, portraying a level of accomplishment he exudes a quiet confidence living a life he himself describes as so “full”, not only does he have no regrets, he wouldn’t change a thing.

And how did it all begin?

“I started running the Mill in Shelburne in 1975. Previously I worked at the watered powered Mill in Mansfield that my grandfather bought in 1920. In 1940 my parents married and purchased the Boyne Mill, which was named after the river and it ran until 1965,” Sawyers explains, “Boyne Mill closed due to the farm community at the time getting smaller. Young people went to Alliston and Orangeville. Following the migration of the farmer, my parents opened Sawyers Feed Mill in 1957 in Shelburne.”

When asked how that move to Shelburne affected him, Sawyers describes, “Well, we, Marion and I married in 1964. We depended on the rural life and even though our rural life had changed, we have three kids, 7 grandkids and 2 great grand kids. Our community has been very good for us.”

Sawyers reflectively answered with regards to the happiest time in his life. While most can site an incident, a specific day, Sawyers response clearly indicated a different level of life appreciation.

“The first twenty years of our marriage was the happiest because the kids were young, everyone on Marion’s side was still alive, and my side was still alive. I’m not sure about, ‘the happiest’ because I’m still happy today.”

What advice does Sawyers have for young farming entrepreneurs starting out today?

“Well, you have to know something about farming and the farming community and learn about your product and as my wife reminds me, you have to be prepared to change as the times require. You have to recognize your market and work towards it.”

Perhaps his most poignant reflection on the inner working of a successful business owner came when asked what he would have rather done instead of taking over the family business.

“I’ve never had any other desire to do anything else other than what I’ve done here,” Sawyers proudly commented. “I’ve been satisfied with the way my life has gone, pretty good health and good friends and family to socialize with on a Saturday night.”

Obvious is his pride and respect for others, Sawyers encapsulates the definition of a gentleman, where a man’s word meant something and a handshake, the very symbol of honor, was as good as a man’s word. And though this kind of quiet, gentle spirited individual is a rare find in today’s world, when asked about how he feels about his wife and their lives together, this quiet individual has quite a lot to say.

“Marion worked at a Real Estate office as a secretary when we started out. She made $35 a week and I made $25 dollars a week. Back then you couldn’t burn $5 worth of gas in a week, $10 in groceries was almost too much! We were young happy and carefree. We’re good friends. We have breakfast together every day. She is a terrific cook. I have tremendous respect for my wife. She is a very wise woman. We’ve gone through tough times, disappointing times, and she did far better than I could. She’s a very family oriented person and we have the same traditions. She’s a sweet heart! I couldn’t have done any of this without her. She’s the backbone,” and taking a moment to collect his thoughts and feelings, “Marion stuck by my side through thick and thin. I love my wife and my family. We’ll be married 50 years in October 2014!”

What some might have called a watery, slightly tear filled eye when reflecting on the place Sawyer’s best friend and wife holds, he was very certain in commenting on his children when asked if he is proud of his kids and their accomplishments.

“What impressed me the most about my kids? Well, I watched my kids grow up, watched them find work, support a household , they did all that and they did that well. They got married, raised a family.”

And does the Mill see another generation perhaps carrying on the legacy?

“I don’t know. I have a grandson who worked here at the mill for a while. He’s in Ottawa now. We get along very well, but I don’t think he’ll take it on.”

There is a distinct difference between a simple man and a man who chooses to live a simple life.

“I’ve always had two priorities in life including my family, our livelihood, and then of course the friends we’ve made along the way.”

Perhaps the best life recipe is the simplest one indeed.

By Alex Sher