ABOUT HARCO AG EQUIPMENT

HARCO Ag Equipment traces its roots back to 1977, when Jim Harkness began selling new and used farm equipment right from the family farm in Harriston, Ontario. What started as a small, local operation steadily grew as Jim added wholesale product lines to better serve the agricultural community.

In September 1982, the company was incorporated as Jim Harkness Equipment Ltd., with HARCO Ag Equipment registered as the trade name for the wholesale division. Today, we’re still proudly based on Highway #9, between Harriston and Clifford, Ontario, about 50 miles north of Highway 401. Our central location makes it easy to serve customers across Eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. In 2002, we added a storage and drop-off facility near Woodstock, Ontario, further strengthening our distribution network.

Serving a Growing Dealer Network

HARCO Ag Equipment supplies farm equipment, rental, turf, and other related businesses through a strong dealer network, including:

• Approximately 300 dealers in Ontario
• 120 dealers in Quebec
• 100+ dealers across Atlantic Canada, including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland
• 75 dealers in the United States, covering New York and Pennsylvania
   

A Family Legacy

Founder James (Jim) Wilfred Harkness built this business alongside his wife Doreen. Jim remained actively involved in the company until mid-September 2024. He passed away on November 16, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Jim and Doreen didn’t just build a business—they created a legacy grounded in hard work, integrity, and a deep respect for agriculture. Jim’s passion for farming and equipment did, and continues to, guide the company in everything we do.

After careers with the Royal Bank and Canada Packers, Jim returned to his agricultural roots in 1969, purchasing the family farm in Minto Township, where we still proudly operate today. Alongside running the equipment business, Jim and Doreen raised beef cattle and farmed roughly 400 acres. When market conditions shifted in the early 1980s, they made the pivotal decision to focus entirely on growing the equipment side of the business—laying the foundation for the HARCO we know today.

Today & Looking Ahead

HARCO Ag Equipment remains family-owned and operated, with the second generation actively leading the company. John (Jake) Harkness, son of Jim, serves as Co-Owner, overseeing Sales and Big Jim Manufacturing while carrying forward the customer-first values his parents built the company on. The third generation of Harkness family members have also begun stepping into the company, making their mark. With the support of our dedicated staff, we all work to ensure the HARCO family legacy continues strong for many years to come.

As we look to the future, our commitment hasn’t changed: we’re here to support our dealer partners with dependable products, trusted relationships, and the same dedication to quality and service that’s defined HARCO for nearly 50 years.