J & J Farms Ltd. in Knutsford, PEI: History, What It Grows, How It Makes Money and How to Contact It
Profile updated November 2026
J & J Farms Ltd. is a sixth-generation potato farm in western Prince Edward Island that grows about 400 acres of chip stock potatoes. Morgan and Karissa Smallman won the 2022 Atlantic Outstanding Young Farmers award and went on to the national finals. The farm shows how a mid-sized family operation can stay profitable through soil health, a trucking side business and strong industry outreach.
| Location | Knutsford, Prince County, Prince Edward Island (the award listing gives an Alberton address) |
|---|---|
| Founded | In the 1800s as a small mixed farm, per CBC |
| Sectors | chip stock potatoes; Sudan sorghum and alfalfa for soil building; trucking |
| Scale | About 400 acres of chip stock potatoes, per the Outstanding Young Farmers release |
| Why it is elite | 2022 Atlantic Outstanding Young Farmers; national finalist; six generations |
| Ownership | Family; Morgan and Karissa Smallman with Morgan's father Jeff and uncle Jason |
| Official website | Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers 2022 Atlantic announcement (no official site found) |
History of J & J Farms Ltd.
CBC reports that the farm began in the 1800s as a small mixed operation raising pigs and potatoes. As the pig market slowed, it shifted to potatoes only. Morgan Smallman is the sixth generation of his family to farm it, and he works with his father, Jeff, and his uncle, Jason. His wife, Karissa, handles administrative paperwork.
Morgan studied economics at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, worked as an agronomist and returned to the farm in 2014. In 2022 he and Karissa won the Atlantic Outstanding Young Farmers award from Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers program and advanced as finalists for the national title, with the national event set for Saskatchewan that November.
What J & J Farms Ltd. Grows and Raises
The farm grows 300 to 400 acres of potatoes for potato chip manufacturing, according to CBC, and the award release gives 400 acres of chip stock potatoes. Chip stock has strict quality specifications, so storage management, sugar content and consistent size matter.
The Outstanding Young Farmers release says the farm stopped rotating grain crops and now focuses on soil health, growing Sudan sorghum and alfalfa to build soil between potato crops. After a 2017 setback, Morgan dropped early plans to expand acreage and adopted the view that bigger is not always better. He also promotes the industry through social media and hosts many farm tours.
How J & J Farms Ltd. Makes Money
Chip stock potatoes
Potatoes grown for chip manufacturing are the main revenue stream. Statistics Canada reports that potatoes generated 54.5 percent of PEI farm revenue in 2020. The farm does not publish buyers, prices or revenue, so none are stated here.
Trucking
In 2014 Morgan started a trucking operation to add cash flow. The Outstanding Young Farmers release says it was designed to create more year-round work for employees, which smooths labour use between harvest seasons.
Soil-building crops
Sudan sorghum and alfalfa are grown for soil building rather than as large cash crops, an investment in future potato yield and field resilience.
Farm Insight: What Other Operators Can Learn from J & J Farms Ltd.
The Smallman approach is disciplined growth. Instead of chasing acres, Morgan focused on soil health and added a trucking business that makes use of equipment, drivers and off-season time. Farms facing tight land markets, like PEI where farmland prices rose sharply, can take the lesson that diversification into services can be safer than adding rented land.
A second lesson is the value of public engagement. Farm tours and social media posts build goodwill with neighbours and consumers and support the industry's license to operate. The farm also illustrates the benefit of formal training and outside experience: Morgan returned with an economics degree and agronomy work behind him.
Growing potatoes that must become the perfect chip is a fine example of farm pressure, since no one wants a crooked crisp. When the sorghum and alfalfa rotation is set, stop by farm.FM for farm satire, farm humor, ranch humor and farm jokes that are crunchier than a bag of Island chips. We mean it kindly, Knutsford.
If the name is new to you, farm.FM is the nation's first satirical farm site, with Tractor Tunes country music for farmers on the side. One of its regular writers keeps a whole archive of stories like that.
How to Contact J & J Farms Ltd.
No official website, address, phone or email was found in public sources reviewed in November 2026. The award announcement is the best verified public page; confirm contact details through the PEI Potato Board before traveling.
J & J Farms Ltd. Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- Outstanding Young Farmers: Smallman announcement - Award release with farm details
- CBC: 6th generation PEI farmer wins Atlantic award - News profile of the family and farm history
- Atlantic Outstanding Young Farmers winners - Regional award winner list
- Statistics Canada: PEI 2021 Census of Agriculture - Province-wide farm and potato statistics
- PEI Government: Agriculture on PEI - Provincial overview of Island agriculture
J & J Farms Ltd. FAQ
What does J & J Farms Ltd. grow?
About 400 acres of chip stock potatoes, plus Sudan sorghum and alfalfa for soil building.
Why is it elite?
It is a six-generation farm whose operators won the 2022 Atlantic Outstanding Young Farmers award and reached the national finals.
Does the farm have other income?
Yes. Morgan started a trucking operation in 2014 to add cash flow and year-round work.
How can I contact the farm?
No official site was found. Use the PEI Potato Board as a starting point.
J & J Farms Ltd. proves that a mid-sized family farm can earn national attention through soil health, discipline and diversification. For soils, markets, land rules and credit across the Island, read our Prince Edward Island farms guide.