Rick Kantz has been growing grain and oilseeds in the Peace Region for the last 25 years. He was born and raised on the farm and is proud to have a role in providing food for the population. With up to 5,000 acres (2,023 hectares) of land under his care, there is a big responsibility to ensure that their natural resources are managed sustainably. Read our interview with Rick below.
The Critcher family has been farming in the Peace River region near Taylor, BC since 1984. Together with their son Michael, daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Steve, Irmi and Barry have grown the family farm from when they started with 160 acres in 1984 up to 4,800 acres today. Critcher Farms grows grain and oilseed crops including wheat, barley, oats, canola, peas as well as grass seed and hay.
Dairy farming is a family affair for Julaine Treur. Together with her husband Johannes and their five children, she owns and operates Creekside Dairy in Agassiz, BC. Although the farm has only been in the family for 7 years, both Julaine and Johannes have deep farming roots. In addition to the Canada-wide ProAction initiative, Creekside Dairy is SPCA and Organic certified. Like other dairy farmers, they are committed to treating their cows with “respect, affection and compassion each and every day”.
Our farm is in the beautiful Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. In total we farm about 350 acres and milk 120 Holstein dairy cows. We are 3rd generation dairy farmers and together we have been farming since 1995 at the current location. We farm with Dave’s brother Will and his wife Heather. As well, both of our sons (4th generation) are currently working on the farm and we hope their children (5th generation) may want to someday take what we have done and make it even better.
Putting the cows first is a priority for Aretha Westenenk. Benco Holsteins, located in beautiful Chilliwack, has been in the family for over 60 years. One of the things that Aretha finds most satisfying about farming, is the interconnectedness. She loves planting seeds, watching the crops grow and then harvesting high quality feed for their animals. Like other Canadian dairy farmers, she has a love for animals and agriculture, and is proud to produce safe products for BC families to enjoy.
Morris Hanson’s farm is located in Creston within the Kootenay Region of BC. Morris first moved to Creston from the Fraser Valley over 45 years ago when it was remotely populated. Today, Morris and his two sons Jeff and Trever along with their families, live and work together on the farm they have established in the region.
Fraser Valley dairy producers, the Kerkhoven Family, have been farming in Deroche, BC since 1955. Dairy farming is a 365-day job and one of various responsibilities: tending to the animals at 3am for their first milking and ending the day around 8pm finishing up farm chores including seasonal tasks such as corn planting and hay cutting. John, a 2nd generation dairy farmer, keeps himself busy on the dairy farm but that isn’t all he does, he’s also a flower grower!
After moving back to her dad’s farm during maternity leave, Laura Hunter had the chance to ignite her career in farming. Not only was she able to experience the wonders of working on a farm, but also take in the pleasures of living on a farm. Since then she has taken over the farm operation and Laura says living on a farm is peaceful, magical and a wonderful place to raise kids.
The Van Keulen family has been dairy farming in Surrey since 1955. Donia Farms is a third-generation farm with about 1000 acres of land and around 1000 cows. Stan and Patricia Van Keulen, along with their 3 sons (Jon, David, Nico) and their families are all involved in keeping the farm strong and sustainable.
Growing up on a dairy farm, it was inevitable that Tony DeGroot would start his own dairy farm. In 1981, he started Tonesa Holsteins and now relishes in the pride that comes with running a successful business producing a healthy product for the local community. Being his own boss isn’t so bad either.
Nathan’s roots in poultry farming run deep, growing up on Flokstra farms, and he currently holds the position of farm manager at Fir Lane Farms. He possesses a keen desire to expand his knowledge and actively participate in the poultry industry. Furthermore, Nathan’s involvement with the “Poultry in Motion” program, where he will be working shifts at the PNE, exemplifies his strong commitment to the industry’s development and future prosperity.
MEMBER Arshdeep brings over 15 years of experience growing and marketing peaches, apples, cherries, and pears in the Okanagan Valley. He proudly carries on his family’s farming legacy through the management of Lakeview Fruit Corporation and Vanview Fruit Packers Ltd., businesses rooted in B.C. since 1994 and spanning over 80 acres of tree fruits.
As a member of the BC Young Farmers Committee, Arshdeep is passionate about advocating for the tree fruit sector, exploring innovation, and empowering youth to sustain agriculture for future generations. He’s committed to creating opportunities for young farmers and strengthening B.C.’s farming industry through collaboration and leadership.
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.
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.
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.
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.
