Kristin Dahl has known she wanted to be a dairy farmer since she was 16. With her degree in agriculture, focused on animal science, she is well equipped to manage a successful operation. She views BC as the perfect place to farm and is proud to continue running the farm that has been in her family for 37 years. Kristin is constantly amazed at the technological advancements, such as robotic milkers and auto-steer tractors, that have evolved since her family started farming.

Nigel Vandenbrink’s grandparents moved from Holland over 50 years ago to fulfill their dream – to have their own farm where they could raise their family and do what they love to do. Keeping with the family tradition, Nigel’s parents showed their children that work and play go together on a farm. Nigel and his siblings spent many hours with their parents as they worked the farm. Not only did they horse around with their father in the pool on those hot summer afternoons before and after milking, but they also helped their mother plant and care for a garden that they ate from all winter long.

Glenview Farms is a third generation dairy farm in Duncan, BC. Family members Michelle, Mike, and Chris work together produce safe, quality milk for British Columbia consumers. Each family member contributes a unique skill set to the family business, and Mike is glad to have his son and daughter working side by side with him as they grow their operation. The health of their animals is extremely important to the Laczszyk family. Over the years they have made improvements to their barn in order to increase cow comfort, and they enjoy working with their vet to ensure that all of their cows are well cared for.

It’s no lie that Birchwood Dairy Farm is one of a kind. Although located in the Sumas Prairie of the Fraser Valley, this farm is always swarming with people, attracting locals from all across the lower mainland and tourists. The dairy farm is a hot spot during the summertime for families.

Stobbe Farm in Mara, BC has been around since AJ’s grandparents received a cow as a wedding present in 1953. Located to the South of Sicamous in the Shuswap County of the interior, their herd size of 180 cows resides on 300 acres of land. AJ’s grandma, Mary and her husband started their farm and have passed it down to AJ who is now a 3rd generation farm and has kept the family business alive.

“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.