Delta Farmers Institute (DFI) held its 116th Farmers Ball on November 15 with producers young and old recognized for their contributions to the local farming community.
Cory and Holley Gerrard as well as Joel Swenson of Rod Swenson Farms received the Young Farmer Recognition Award for their work keeping the Swenson legacy alive.
“Holley and Joel farmed with their dad through their early years,” says Christine Terpsma, the ball’s MC. “Holley knew when she was about eight years old that she wanted to be a farmer.”
Holley’s husband Cory says it’s an honour to be recognized for the family’s work and the farm.
“It’s not about us,” he says. “It’s about our staff and our families.”
The trio grows about 450 acres of potatoes and another 450 acres in rotational crops including pumpkins, peas, turnips, corn, onions and grain. They’ve expanded the farm to include properties in Abbotsford and Kamloops over the years.
They’ve also added an innovative grading facility and washing shed, the first of its kind west of Manitoba. The system is automated and can be viewed and managed through phone-based apps. This addition to the farm allowed them to cut their labour needs in half while nearly doubling their output.
Dairy farmer Ken Davie was honoured with the Service Award.
Davie was a significant part of Delta’s volunteer firefighters, serving the community from 1964 to 2010 when Hall No. 4 was decommissioned. He was the volunteer fire chief for the last 22 years of his tenure.
A lifelong farmer, Davie milks about 130 head on 240 acres with his two sons.
“It’s a three-way deal now,” Davie says.
Terpsma says Davie always knew he wanted to be a farmer and his dad, Ken Sr., gave him a Jersey cross cow when he was five. Davie hand-milked that cow.
“Throughout his career, Ken has selflessly given back to the ag community,” says Terpsma.
She explained that Davie told her he’d joined the firefighters at age 14 because it gave him a legitimate reason to leave school midday.
Terpsma and DFI director Ray VanMarrewyk thanked DFI administrator Leisa Yee for pulling the event together.
“What keeps me here is the farmers,” Yee says. “It’s amazing that we’ve been here for over 100 years. I’ve only been here for 10.”
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