COEDC Participating Farmers
Modern farmers in BC know there's a lot more to agriculture than just growing crops. Today's farmers are also entrepreneurs who seek out markets, invest in new products or technology, and investigate new ways of earning revenue. Whether it's producing a value-added product at the farm gate, or attracting agritourism visitors, farmers are constantly experimenting and innovating.
It's not easy, but in the Central Okanagan farmers get valuable assistance from the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission.
The COEDC offers a variety of valuable information sources and one-on-one assistance for agricultural operations that need access to promotional and marketing opportunities.
In 2016 the COEDC will work with 20 farm operations in the Okanagan Valley to both learn from farmers what they need to succeed, and also to offer expertise and advice on a variety of marketing and operational topics.
In this special report, the COEDC's Tracey Fredrickson and Orchard and Vine profile six rising stars in the local farming community.
Jeff Ricketts
JEFF RICKETTS
Old Meadows Organic Farm
Old Meadows Organics is a certified organic farm and market located on a 3.5 acre parcel on the Thomson Heritage farm, the roots of which extend back over 100 years of farming on this land. In 2013, after several years working in the financial industry, proprietor Jeff Rickets decided to try his hand at farming as a way to be a part of something that created positive change in his life and the lives of others.
- I’m proud to be a farmer today because the satisfaction that comes from growing food through sustainable practices and hard work not only provides nourishment, it also connects the community and brings people together to thrive.
- A good day at the office includes waking up on time in the morning with a great plan set out for the day! When I know everything is running smoothly and on schedule, I have a chance to reflect on the progress of the farm and can take time to visit with customers in the market.
- A hard day at the office is when I wake up late (which always seems to be on the busiest days!) and fall behind schedule. This puts the whole day off track and can cause some tasks to be delayed to the following day depending on what other variables come up.
- My greatest inspiration comes from people I have met who have made a career doing something they love while giving back to the community. This has brought new light into my life and inspired me to forget about taking the easy road and take the road that provides the greatest journey.
- My advice to others looking to operate a farm business today is to try and find a local farmer who shares the same principles as you and would be interested in a mentoring program. This provides hands on experience right away and may include the opportunity to access land with reduced risk of failure or financial loss. located on a 3.5 acre parcel on the Thomson Heritage farm, the roots of which extend back over 100 years of farming on this land. In 2013, after several years working in the financial industry, proprietor Jeff Rickets decided to try his hand at farming as a way to be a part of something that created positive change in his life and the lives of others.
Denise & Tom Cross
DENISE & TOM CROSS
Mountain Valley Farm & a Cross la Table
Mountain Valley Farm in West Kelowna was the beginning of Tom and Denise Cross’ dream for a sustainable community farm which includes demonstrating many of Eliot Coleman’s thoughts and teachings on ‘Beyond Organic Farming”. A wide range of produce, as well as condiments and other products made from ingredients grown on the farm are sold in season. A customized farm share membership program has been introduced for 2016. The Cross’ can be seen each week at the Westbank and Peachland Farmers’ Markets.
- We are proud to be farmers today because the results of our labour – initially aimed at supporting our own health – have provided a way for us to contribute to improved health of the people in our local community. By farming organically we are also supporting the environment, teaching others about growing organically and promoting their desire to grow their own food.
- A good day at the office includes waking up early with the fresh air and sunshine and having an organized plan for the day. There’s nothing better than getting out into the field and feeling our rich, healthy soil in our hands, knowing what we are doing will have a positive impact on our environment and community for years to come.
- A hard day at the office includes endless weeding and looking over at that row of vegetables that needs picking and knowing you’ll never catch up on the weed maintenance. That’s one of the greatest challenges of organic farming but honestly, the hardest day on the farm is still a better day than we could imagine anywhere else.
- Our greatest inspiration comes from each other, our son and his wife and our grandson due in mid-April! There is tremendous satisfaction in knowing our son will eventually take over what we started with the understanding of how a difference is made with each seed planted.
- Our advice to others looking to operate a farm business today is try it out first by volunteering or apprenticing at available farms. Educate yourself, ask questions and connect with source groups. And if you are ready, start small.
Brenda Dureault
BRENDA DUREAULT
Curly Frog Farm
Brenda Dureault has been farming the 26-acre family farm for 15 years. She grows a variety of nut trees for both food and timber as well as paw paw trees, Christmas trees, willows and chickens. Minor crops include flowers, herbs and nurse trees grown for multiple functions such as integrated pest management, wildlife habitat and natural fertilizer. In the fall of 2015, chinampas were installed to increase the farmable land on the site. The process saw soils from the seasonally flooded pasture excavated and piled in long rows where new crops can now be grown, and the excavated areas were restored to wetlands.
- I am proud to be a farmer today because farmers need to be innovative, entrepreneurial, savvy and environmentally friendly in order to survive. I am proud to say I am one of those farmers who are changing the way we farm.
- A good day at the office includes being in awe of my surroundings – staying present and paying attention to nature. It also includes getting along with the farm equipment, for example, knowing just how long to hold the key to fire up the old blue bus mower, having enough muscle to pry open the irrigation filter without dousing yourself with creek sediment water, or driving the lawn mower like a boss to get that path in the trees just right.
- A hard day at the office includes watching Mother Nature destroy your work – flood waters drowning your crops, eroding your land and buildings.
- My greatest inspiration comes from the land itself. If I observe and reflect on what is happening on the land, I learn from it. Then I’m off to research ideas. I’m inspired by my father’s entrepreneurial savvy, my mother’s faith, my partner’s creativity and my desire to leave a legacy for my kids.
- My advice to others looking to operate a farm business today is to treat it like a business; learn the skills, make a plan and commit to the farm even when the plan changes. And make time for play, family and personal time – if you let it, the farm can consume all your time.
Ron McMillan
RON MCMILLAN
McMillan Farms
McMillan Farms was started in 1950 and in 2004 the family moved into agri-tourism. What began by growing 100 pumpkins for the neighbors has evolved to thousands of pumpkins grown every year and a wide range of fun and educational experiences offered including hayrides, a corn maze and self-guided tours.
- I am proud to be a farmer today because due to the change in our world, farmers are looked at as essential to feeding a growing population that is increasingly urban. In the case of my family, we are proud to help provide a bit of that bridge between urban and rural worlds and some insight into farm life.
- A good day at the office includes meeting people who have been to the farm, hearing how they enjoyed their experience and learned something while creating great family memories. My favourite thing is meeting people who have never been to a farm before or had the opportunity to pet a farm animal, smell hay, see a tractor or pick a pumpkin. Wow!
- A hard day at the office is when mother nature has some unpleasant plans for you in the form of crop-affecting adverse weather. It can also include equipment breakdowns at the most inopportune time such as when you’re planting or harvesting. Having a long line up of people waiting for a hayride while you fix a flat tire on the trailer is also not fun.
- My great inspiration comes from my grandfather. Once when I was in my late teens and long after my grandparents sold off the farm’s dairy herd, my grandfather asked me what I would do with the farm if given the chance. I always searched for an answer to that question and when my family saw our first pumpkin patch, I knew I had found it.
- My advice for others looking to operate a farm business today is be patient, do your research, be prepared to spend a lot time working, talk to other farmers, be adaptive, have a plan and don’t stress.
Andrea Campbell & James Mayer
ANDREA CAMPBELL & JAMES MAYERS
Brookedale Heritage Garden
www.brookedaleheritagegarden.com
Now in its sixth year of operation, Brookedale Heritage Garden initially grew produce for its own family food supply and to provide to the local Food Bank. Today it is a market garden supplying a variety of non-GMO vegetables to the public via the Kelowna Farmers Market and its roadside stand on Benvoulin Road.
- We are proud to be farmers today because of the feedback we receive from our customers. People often thank us for the experience we provide them through the ambience of our heritage setting, our u-pick herbs and u-pick country garden flowers. Our corn has been rated by our customers as ‘Best in Kelowna.’
- A good day at the office includes our customers showing their appreciation for our market garden – that can really make our day. It’s can also include putting in a full day’s work tilling fields and planting new beds, seeing weed-free beds as a result of your hoeing, and harvesting a perfect crop free of defects. There’s nothing like seeing the first shoots of garlic from the fall planting appear in the early spring, or when the last chore of the year is done in November and everything is put to bed for the winter.
- A hard day at the office includes Sunday morning – oh no! The irrigation ditch is dry! The water pump is burned out! Temperatures are predicted in the nineties today! Waking up to discover that blackbirds slipped into the corn and destroyed five hundred cobs during the night can make for a less than perfect day.
- Our greatest inspiration comes from my (Andrea’s) grandmother. She lived in the city but you would never know by the amount of flowers and vegetables that surrounded her. She could grow anything. Just the experience of planting a tiny seed and watching it come to life is very inspiring – it never ceases to amaze us how that happens.
- Our advice for others looking to operate a farm business today is talk to as many experienced market gardeners as possible. There are support groups online and a wealth of information about the profession.
Harvesting Off the Grid
SHERI PAYNTER
Off the Grid Winery
Off the Grid is a family winery opened November, 2015 and is operated by Sheri Paynter, her husband Travis, his brother Nigel and Nigel’s wife Hayley. The facility spans three different family properties and includes the winery, wedding ceremony venue and a small farm.
- I’m proud to be a farmer today because it feels really good to create something from start to finish, to know everything that went into it, and to know you have made something you are truly proud of. I can’t imagine anything more satisfying.
- A good day at the office includes feeding the animals and collecting eggs; that’s my favourite way to start the day (my husband would not agree) but for myself as someone who didn›t grow up on a farm, this provides a lot of satisfaction. After that I typically spend time answering emails and calls, responding to brides looking to book a wedding ceremony venue, sourcing local artisans for our tasting room and working on our property to complete the winery and garden area. After lunch, I’m working in the tasting room, sharing our wine and our story with customers. Then it’s dinner with the family.
- A hard day at the office includes Harvest – that makes for some of the longest days. For the last eight years or so we would spend the day picking, then turn the grapes over to the wineries and go home for dinner. But since we started making wine and the addition of crushing and pressing, the days have become much longer and harder.
- My greatest inspiration comes from the rest of our family. My husband’s family’s has been farming in Westbank for over 100 years. Where we live we are surrounded by brothers, cousins, aunties, uncles and so on and everyone farms grapes, fruits or vegetables. This makes a beautiful life to be part of, and a large close knit family that not only hangs out together, but helps and supports each other in everything we do. We want to create a future in farming for our children so they can continue to enjoy this wonderful life we feel blessed to have.
- My advice for others looking to operate a farm business today is follow your dreams, there are always people who will say it’s too hard, or you can’t afford it, but anything worth doing takes hard work. Stop and talk to other farmers; people in this community are happy to share their knowledge and advice. The more research you can do in the beginning and the more comprehensive the business plan, the better farm you can start with.
The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, a function of the Regional District of Central Okanagan provides programs and services to Central Okanagan businesses in all sectors including agriculture. In 2016, the Commission will conduct 20 in-depth site visits with Central Okanagan farm operators in order to gather information about the challenges they face, provide one-one assistance, promote agriculture in the region and enhance connections among agriculture-related businesses.
Tracey Fredrickson is Business Enhancement Officer with the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission whose first career was as a journalist. Since 2011 she has interviewed numerous agriculture-related businesses in the Region and developed and delivered an agri-tourism business planning program.
For more information contact:
Tracey at tfredrickson@investkelowna.com www.investkelowna.com