rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
H. Rockwell & Son is a fifth-generation family-owned business. They have served Canton and the surrounding communities their agricultural needs for more than 160 years.
The importance of the Rockwell family has been and always will be customer service. Owners Dave and Phil operate the business and have dedicated their lives to helping the Canton community find what they need for their animals.
Rockwell’s mixes are made by head nutritionist, Phil Rockwell, who has many years of experience with animal feed. The mixes can be formulated to reach optimum results with your animal.
“He takes samples of what they grow, and he will get them analyzed and come up with a specific formula for that particular herd,” said Dave. Quality of feed is of the upmost importance for selling at Rockwells.
They offer bagged or bulk quantities of feed and make custom or standard mixes. The staff is more than happy to talk about what products would be best for your animals.
Though Rockwells is known for providing the community and local farmers feed, it also sells an array of other products, from lawn and garden supply, waterproof boots, pet care, bale wrap, water softener salts, locally made maple syrup and more. If they don’t have it, they will find it and order it for you.
“We have multiple varieties of pet food,” said Dave.
Rockwells is proud to carry brands such as Blue Seal, Hubbard, Aspen Song bird food, Dryshod waterproof footwear, Nutri-Source pet food, and Gallagher Fencing. Specifically, they love to work with brands that work well with local businesses, rather than corporations.
“They (the staff) even get in crickets for reptiles,” said Jackie Harper, Dave’s daughter. “They get in everything. You name it, you need it, they will try to get it (if it’s pet and animal care).”
Though the dairy industry has changed drastically, especially now with COVID concerns, the Rockwell family has worked on adapting to the changes to better suit community needs.
“Agriculture is changing,” said Jackie, “There is an increase in small hobby farms.”
“People are coming back to what small towns used to be about. When we were growing up, it was about community and everyone had a farm. I see a little hope that it’s coming back,” she said, referring to the exchange of goods among neighbors and friends.
More importantly, consumers are more concerned about ‘farm to table’ resources and what all goes into their food, not to mention shopping locally to support family and friends during the pandemic.
History
Rockwell’s was originally a flour Mill located across the street from the current location. Martin L. Rockwell, great-grandfather of Phil and Dave, owned and operated the mill until is son, Homer, took over in 1884.
The mill itself was built in the early 1850s, using water as its power source until a steam engine was installed and used until 1943. From there, electric ran the building.
“If you walk into that office, it’s almost like walking back in the 1800s,” said Dave. Now, they only use ‘clean grain’ in that facility.
Back then, the mill supplied its own family flour, “Goldenrod,” and “Pearl of Canton.”
Homer’s son, Martin L. Rockwell, joined the business in 1911.
“Then, they got into the dairy business,” said Dave, “manufacturing dairy feeds and moved across the road and built a facility and added on up until we bought the office.”
Soon after, the business expanded and included a railside location and increased facilities. A new warehouse was built across from the original mill with an addition for molasses. The largest edition was then added onto the building for grinding, mixing and storage.
Pig feed, horse feed and more are among the array of choices a farmer could purchase from the Rockwell family.
“We’ve even come up with 2-3 formulas for the purpose of raising beef cattle,” said Dave, with the help of Hubbard.
Chick orders
Rockwell’s also sells chickens every year and are currently taking orders. Baby chicks, turkey poults, pheasant chicks and guinea keets are available to purchase from the store for pickup in April.
More information
Canton’s hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 7 a.m. to noon. For more information, go to rockwellfeed.com, call 570-673-5148 or stop in at their location at 30 Troy Street in Canton.
Wellsboro’s location hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For the Wellsboro location, call 570-724-0967. It’s located at 1943 Shumway Hill Road in Wellsboro.