“Buying and consuming locally produced food is one of the most environmentally responsible activities that consumers can do. It stimulates the local economy. It saves on transportation caused pollutants. It ensures a fresh product. I hope this is not a passing fad, but a gateway to stimulate change in agriculture in all regions of our province.”
Like most farmers, it’s a long, hard day of work for Tom Hoogendoorn but his love of his dairy cattle and passion for farming makes it all worthwhile. Tom has spent his entire life at Valedoorn Farms, and together with his brother eventually bought the farm from his parents. All that hard work has paid off as they’ve grown it from its humble beginnings into the successful farm that it is today.
Ridley Wikkerink has farmed all of his life, and is a second-generation dairy farmer. He is now in charge of the 300-acre farm in Cobble Hill, Vancouver Island, where he places the farms success on the shoulders of all the people who work for Wedgwood Holsteins.
Grant Keefer is a third generation farmer whose family has been growing cranberries since 1991. His grandfather first purchased farmland in 1945 in Richmond, BC, and Grant now continues the family farming tradition at his own farm – Yellow Point Cranberries in Ladysmith BC.
THE BOG Riverside Cranberry Farm is in beautiful Fort Langley, British Columbia. Brian and Mandy Dewit (and their children Caleb, Beckem, Gavin, Kenzie and Lexie) have deep roots in farming and are proud to continue the tradition of producing food for their community. They have 35 acres of cranberry bogs and produce an average of 1-million pounds of cranberries each year. Read their profile for more info on how the Dewit family grows delicious berries while caring for their land and respecting natural resources.
Jenna Davison is a young passionate cheese crafter who works hand in hand with her older sister, Emma Davison, in building their family business; Golden Ears Cheesecrafters. Their parents both grew up with farming in their roots and having their uncle’s Jersey cow dairy farm right next door, along with their ideal location, inspired the idea for this new venture into artisan cheese.
Farmers Nancy and Clarke Gourlay manage Little Qualicum Cheeseworks along with Mooberry Winery and Morningstar Farm, though they’re quick to remind you that their farming is a team effort. Field staff, herd staff, cheese-makers, packaging staff, wholesale and distribution managers, not to mention the team running their successful farm-gate store – the Gourlay’s offer big praise to them all, and it’s clear from this roster that the farm has come a long way since its inception in 2001.
Edgar Smith has been taking care of dairy cattle since he was a little boy on his family farm. Today, Edgar and his brothers, Doug and Phillip, keep busy operating a cranberry and organic beef farm in addition to producing artisan cheeses. He is passionate about supporting the local community, having his fingers in the soil and producing high-quality food.
Alf Krause began selling berries from the back of an old Volkswagon van in 1965 and now farms over 200 acres providing the community with the very best strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries – along with fresh picked corn, beans and fall vegetables.
Born into the farming industry, Rhonda carries on the family tradition as president and owner of Blueridge Produce Inc., one of British Columbia’s largest wholesaler, retailer, producer and distributor of fresh and frozen berries internationally and throughout North America, and Driediger Farms Ltd., a 160-acre farm producing blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and red currants for retail, wholesale and their on-farm retail market and u-pick operation.
Rebecca and her family operate Winners Holstein Farms, a 450 cow dairy farm in Cloverdale, B.C. In addition to milking cows, Rebecca has helped add a small beef herd to the farm and market beef products online to her community. Rebecca attended university in Saskatoon, working towards a bachelor’s degree in agriculture where she focused on animal sciences. During her time in Saskatoon, she volunteered at the university barns during lambing season, at the dairy, and vaccinated poultry. Rebecca has volunteered with the Mainland Young Milk Producers and was deeply involved in 4-H for more than a decade – at the club, district, provincial, and national levels. She enjoys networking with like-minded individuals, sharing ideas, and learning about other sectors in agriculture.
Jeff is a third-generation Canadian farmer, his Opa started dairy farming in the sixties and his father started poultry in the late eighties. Jeff has always had a passion for poultry farming, working closely with his father during their transition from conventional chicken production to organic and specialty production. Enjoying the responsibility of making critical decisions as his father transitions out of day-to-day management. Jeff hopes to pass the family farm on to his son when the time comes.
Russell spends his time acting as Herd Manager at Westview Dairy Farms, which he and his father operate together. He milks and cares for almost 300 cows on their operation nestled in the Matsqui Valley between Abbotsford and Mission. Russell is a keen advocate for agriculture, his passion led him to pursue an Animal Science Technology Diploma from Lakeland College. Russell is an active community member and when not volunteering he can be found sampling local delicacies, spending time with family, or finding a new adventure. Russell joined BC Young Farmers in 2020 and is excited to use his energy and experience to push the envelope for agriculture on a provincial scale and in his own backyard.
Jacintha was born and raised on a cattle farm in Vanderhoof, B.C. She has had a passion for animals her entire life and raised dairy and beef projects in 4-H. In 2011, Jacintha travelled to Australia where she travelled around to work on different farms, eventually meeting her husband while they were combine harvesting. Jacintha and her husband moved back to Vanderhoof in 2016 to begin setting up their own farm. They started with chickens, then purchased cattle and now they also raise sheep. Last fall, Jacintha and her husband purchased their own operational farm, and have been loving every minute. Jacintha is a 4-H Leader with Nechako Valley Dairy and Beef and is actively involved with the 4-H Council. She originally joined BC Young Farmers as an ex officio with the BC Cattlemen’s Association and is excited about her role with BC Young Farmers.
Tyler Heppell is a 5th generation potato farmer from Cloverdale B.C. He is the production manager at Heppell’s Potato Corp; a family run business since 1920. Tyler worked in sales for 5 years before returning to the family farm. Heppell’s Potato is one of the largest potato producers in British Columbia, and the largest grower of squash. One of the mission statements of the farm is to educate the younger generation about farming and foster the growth and learning for new farmers entering the agriculture section in Canada. Through online videos, field trips, and Ugly Potato days, Heppell’s has been able to impact millions.
Kaitlin is the Fish Health and Food Safety Laboratory Manager for a salmon farming company on Vancouver Island. Previously living and working on remote fish farms around north Vancouver Island, Kaitlin now works with a team of fish health technicians, veterinarians, and processing plants to oversee the health and food safety of Atlantic Salmon from egg-to-plate. Alongside her employment, she is a part of the Young Salmon Farmers of BC (YSFBC). YSFBC is a committee that encompasses young professionals in the aquaculture sector who strive to promote a positive dialogue and increase public education about the sector while providing a voice for the next generation. Kaitlin graduated from Dalhousie University Agriculture Campus with a BSc in Animal Science; during her studies, she worked on a dairy farm and enjoyed volunteering at the sheep barn. Although her farm setting looks a little different than her counterparts of BCYF, she is passionate about utilizing her background and current employment experience to bridge the gap between agriculture and aquaculture for Canadians.
Campbell Woike is a 3rd generation farmer from the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. Poultry is his family’s primary farming operation but they also operate a CFIA licensed Egg Grading Station and market and sell 100% of the eggs they produce from their 70,000 laying hens. Campbell is the General Manager of the farm. His family also has a small 10-acre hazelnut orchard, 300 acres of field crops and a small 50-head cow-calf operation. Campbell is a graduate of Olds College – Agriculture Management Diploma with a major in finance. He volunteers as an ambassador with BC Egg at events educating people about egg farming. He is a Director of the Vancouver Island Egg Producers Association and the BC Egg Producers Association. This year he was selected to be part of the Egg Farmers of Canada Young Farmers program. At 22 he is the youngest member of BC Young Farmers and is excited to be part of the committee. Campbell hopes he can bring his level of hands-on farming experience along with the expertise he has in finance and marketing to help highlight B.C.’s Young Farmers.
Corne grew up on his family’s farm, Quiks Farm Ltd, which has instilled in him an entrepreneurial heart and a passion for agriculture and people. Today, alongside his father and two brothers, he co-owns the farm serving as the General Manager of their bouquet production facilities, greenhouses, outdoor growing spaces, and maintenance. The demands of this position with its challenges and joys each day make for a very diverse job, where no two days are the same. Corne completed 2 years of postgraduate business schooling at UFV which taught him the basics of business but his most significant career growth has been a product of being hands-on and involved each and every day alongside his team.
