Well-known Chilliwack agriculturalist Walter Goerzen is the recipient of the BC Dairy Industry Achievement Award announced at the BC Dairy Industry Conference in Vancouver, November 27.
“The successes and achievements of our industry are built on the contributions, and the skill and the dedication of our leaders, and this award is meant to honour those individuals,” says Russell Reitsema, who announced the award on behalf of the BC Dairy Historical Society. “Walter is no exception.”
Goerzen began more than 50 years of service to the sector while still in university, working summers administering 4-H provincial and interprovincial rallies and club days throughout the Fraser Valley. Graduating with a Master’s degree in agricultural science, he served as district agrologist with the BC Ministry of Agriculture in Creston.
In 1976, he made the leap to the East Chilliwack Agricultural Co-op, working closely with dairy producers.
In 1984, he joined the BC Milk Marketing Board for an initial one-year term. He returned in 2007 as the non-producer director for two terms (six years), ultimately holding multiple positions including chairing the board’s Milk Industry Advisory Committee, Specialty Producers Advisory Committee and New Entrant Program selection committee.
Goerzen also served six years with the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC and was judge on multiple occasions with the BC/Yukon Outstanding Young Farmers Program.
“Winning this award is just a huge honour, and I’m deeply appreciative,” he said in a video produced for the event. (Goerzen couldn’t attend the event due to a family illness.)
The people in the industry have been what’s mattered most to him throughout the years, and he encouraged the next generation to continue building the relationships that make it strong.
“Go for the information; find out what’s going on, visit with your neighbours, identify the innovators in your community. And secondly, get involved,” he says. Farmers need to speak up for farm issues because the general public does not understand farming. And to have some of the legislation issues dealt with adequately, farmers have to work together. And that’s how we grow and move forward.”
Updated: 04 December 2025
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