About
Hansen Farms
Our Farm
Hansen Farms is a family-owned farm with a rich history dating back to 1919. Today, we operate 3,000 acres of farmland and specialize in being a nationwide cabbage supplier. Our state of the art storage facilities allow us to ship cabbage anytime of the year. We invite you to explore our story which spans over four-generations of farming.
Our Story
In 1919, Chris Hansen, Sr. along with his wife Laura purchased a farm in Geneva, NY. He had emigrated from Denmark at the age of 16 and settled in the Geneva/Penn Yan area, where other Danish families also resided. He chose to grow cabbage and forage crops for dairy cattle, as he was familiar with these crops from Denmark. He cultivated and shipped cabbage and other vegetable crops while running a small dairy until his passing in 1947.
​Chris Sr. and Laura raised five sons. Stewart and Henry established farm equipment dealerships, while Vern, Ed, and Chris became prominent vegetable growers on their own farms. Vern left school after the 8th grade to assist his father on the farm in 1931. He continued to manage the business with his wife Arlene after Chris Sr. passed away. In 1973, his son Wayne joined the business, and they formed a partnership named V&W Farms. They jointly managed the farm, cultivating a variety of processing vegetables until they retired from farming in 2003. Chris, Jr. purchased a farm a few miles from the Hansen homestead in 1961. He and his family operated C.M. Hansen Farm until he retired from farming in 1996.
​Chris Sr. & Laura Hansen
Ed Hansen, Sr. along with his wife Helen purchased a 100-acre farm in Stanley in 1955. This was made possible with financial assistance from Helen’s parents Harold and Emma Jepsen, who were dairy farmers in Penn Yan, New York. The deep agricultural roots of both Helen and Ed’s parents helped shape the second-generation Hansen Farms operated by Ed Sr. and Helen. Although Vern, Chris and Ed all ran their own farms, this second generation of Hansen’s maintained a unique relationship by sharing equipment, labor and ideas throughout their careers.
In 1975 Ed, Jr. joined the business and began the third generation. Ed, Jr. married Dawn in 1977 and shortly thereafter she also joined the business. Ed Sr., Helen, Ed Jr. and his wife Dawn operated the farm from 1975 and into the 2000’s. In that time the business transitioned from a processing vegetable farm to a nationwide cabbage supplier. The farm also grew grains and carrots for local processors.
Eric & Ed Hansen Jr.
In 2003, Ed and Dawn's son Eric joined the business, and in 2007, Eric married Crystal, who also contributes to the operations. Today, six members from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations are actively involved in running the business. Ed Jr. and Dawn serve as the principal managers, while Ed and Helen offer their expertise at a consultant level. The fourth generation, represented by Eric and Crystal, alongside a highly skilled and dedicated staff, are working diligently to ensure the business continues to grow and prosper well into the future.
The business today operates 3,000 acres including the original homestead owned and operated by Chris Sr. and Laura Hansen in the early and mid 1900’s
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