2024

Westar Holsteins

Sth’oqi Aquaculture Limited Partnership

Bob Matzek started Westar Holsteins in 2003 through the BC Ministry of Agriculture’s New Entrant Program. Currently, Bob and his son Josh farm together, milking roughly 100 cows on two Delaval robots. Bob and Josh grow the majority of their own forages while running 100 acres of corn silage, crop cover, and grass.

 

Sth’oqi Aquaculture Limited Partnership is an on-land fish farm nestled in the heart of Rosedale. The Sumas First Nation economic development corporation, Sema:th Xo:tsa Developments LP, and their partners, purchased the farm in 2017 in an effort to create greater food security and economic independence through farming tilapia for the nation.

Tilapia fingerlings are imported from the U.S. and grown to adult size, which takes about six months. Sth’oqi Aquaculture can produce approximately 3,000 pounds of market-size tilapia each week.

Currently, the farm is producing about 2,000 pounds per week, with plans to expand into barramundi production in 2025.

Greendale Acres

Thank you to our sponsors:

The roots of Greendale Acres were planted in 1999 when John and Diane Bruinsma teamed up with Lloyd and Wendy Taekema. The two families began transforming the old Bruinsma dairy farm into Canada’s first corn maze, in an effort to connect the community with agriculture and farming life, and help families experience farm life in a fun and interactive way.

More than 25 years on, the old barn and bunker and apple orchard that the Bruinsmas cultivated are still there. Land has been cleared to make room for pumpkin patches, agricultural attractions, and educational programs, adding new life and energy to the farmstead and turning it into a popular and beloved destination for families, schools, and various community groups to cultivate memories and traditions.

Today, the farm is operated by John and Diane’s three daughters, along with their husbands and nine small children, who all share in the labour of love and the common goal of reconnecting people with nature and agriculture.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors. These tours are possible because of them.

Baker Newby LLP
KPMG
RBC
Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce
Community Futures South Fraser
Fortis BC
BC Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI)

2023

Rainbow Greenhouses

Dicklands Farms and Dicklands Biogas

Founded by Stan and Wilma Vander Waal in 1985, Rainbow Greenhouses has since grown to become one of Canada’s largest greenhouse operations, with four locations totaling over 5.5 million square feet of growing area. Rainbow is grateful to partner with big box retailers across the western part of the nation as well as into the United States, providing a wide array of products ranging from annuals and bedding plants to novelty tropical foliage.Although during peak season Rainbow Greenhouses employs more than 800 staff, the company remains a family business at the core. Stan and Wilma, as well as the next generation, sons Joel, Allan, and Eric, are all closely involved in day-to-day operations of the business and work closely with their teams for the success of the company.

Dicklands Farms works hard to provide their Holstiens with excellent cow comfort and quality feed. Their dairy herd is highly regarded for its genetics and high milk production. Dicklands’ new state-of-the-art biogas plant co-digests dairy manure, chicken manure, and food waste to produce renewable natural gas, organic fertilizer pellets, and clean water. Dicklands Farms and Biogas provides benefits to the local community including top-quality milk, reduced odour, clean water, healthy soil, and sustainable waste management opportunities

Farmhouse Brewing Co.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Farmhouse Brewing Co. was created by Colleen and Dan Neels and has been open since October 2020. The hops and barley grown on their 11.5-acre farm is used in the 12-hectolitre brewery on site.Farmhouse also features a tasting lounge with a wood-fired oven kitchen for food pairings, an outdoor playground, a professional putting green, and pet silkies. Farmhouse Brewing Co. focuses on using local, quality ingredients in their beverage and food programs and has created an all-round inclusive and family-friendly farm destination.

Baker Newby
LLPKPMGRBC
Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce
Community Futures South Fraser
Farm Credit Canada
Fortis BC

2022

Dutch Heritage Greenhouse

Dutch Heritage Greenhouse was started by Art Breugem and has been in business in Chilliwack since 1997. In 2005, sons Lukas and Floris Breugem joined the business, which is currently co-owned by the three. The first location was in Rosedale and in 2019, all new facilities were built and are amongst the most innovative in Canada. In 2022, a large part of the acreage was planted with hazelnut trees, with the first harvest expected in 2025. Dutch Heritage Greenhouse specializes in growing chrysanthemum cut flowers, and also grows lisianthus, snapdragons, and sunflowers. Products are shipped from Chilliwack all over Canada and into the United States.

Brooknook Farms

In 1915, Mark Ricka’s grandparents began dairy farming in Chilliwack. His family has been working to produce healthy food in the same community for over one hundred years.  Today, they milk 200 cows with DeLaval robotic milkers on over 200 acres, where they grow mostly corn and cover crop with some grass. Mark is proud to work closely with his family members and is passionate about investing in the future for the next generation.

 

Molson Coors

For over two centuries Molson Coors Beverage Company has been brewing beverages that unite people to celebrate all life’s moments. From Coors Light, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian, Carling to Coors Banquet, Belgian Moon, Vizzy, Creemore Springs, Hop Valley and more, Molson Coors produces many beloved and iconic beer brands. While the company’s history is rooted in beer, Molson Coors offers a modern portfolio that expands beyond the beer aisle as well. 

Molson Coors Beverage Company is a publicly traded company that operates through Molson Coors North America and Molson Coors Europe, and is traded on the New York and Canadian Stock Exchange (TAP). The company’s commitment to raising industry standards and leaving a positive imprint on our employees, consumers, communities, and the environment is reflected in Our Imprint and our 2025 sustainability targets.

 

Canadian Organic Feeds

Canadian Organic Feeds was founded here in Chilliwack in 2000. At the time, organic production was a bit of a novelty, and we saw the potential in providing an organic option. As the organic market expanded over the next 20 years, we were able to expand and improved our previous facility until we saw the need for a larger site to continue operations. In 2017, we purchased the old Agropur building on Yale Road and began construction of our new mill facility. At this new location, we have been able to install the most up-to-date manufacturing equipment and become more efficient and productive. We have a staff of three employees who, along with owners Darren and Jen Jansen, run the daily operations of the feed mill.

 

2021

QuantoTech Solutions Ltd.

The first stop on our tour is QuantoTech Solutions. QuantoTech Solutions Ltd. designs, manufactures, and operates micro farms to promote food security and sustainability by bringing fresh produce to unconventional climates, locations, and under-served communities. QuantoTech Solutions is currently working with the University of the Fraser Valley’s Food and Agriculture Institute.

Oakridge Poultry Ltd.

The second stop on our tour is Oakridge Poultry Ltd. Oakridge Poultry is a first-generation free-range egg farm in East Chilliwack that is owned and operated by Kevin and Rebecca Herfst and their children Melissa and Steve. Their eggs are sold under the brand “Country Golden Yolks” and are available in grocery stores throughout BC.

Puratos Canada

Puratos Canada is part of the Puratos group, offering a full range of products, solutions and application expertise in the bakery, patisserie and chocolate sectors. Puratos, with its long and rich heritage in research and development, offers products that combine taste and nutritional value, contributing to consumers’ health and eating pleasure.

West River Farm

West River Farm Ltd. is a family owned dairy farm business in Rosedale, BC, operated by Grant, Gene & Sarah Sache. The farm is an average sized BC dairy farm, milking 150 Holstein cows. The Saches adopted robotic milking technology in 2015 to replace the aging double 5 parlour their parents installed in the 1970s. The farm team takes great care to grow and store quality local forage crops to fuel healthy, productive, home-grown cows, shipping over 2,000,000 litres of fresh BC milk per year.

Fraser Valley Hazelnuts

The fifth and final stop on our tour is Fraser Valley Hazelnuts. Fraser Valley Hazelnuts is a family-owned business focused on contributing to the regrowth of the hazelnut industry in BC. We are a grower, receiving station, and producer of hazelnuts.

2020

Brightside Eggs

The first stop on the tour is Brightside Eggs, a family-owned and operated poultry farm committed to sustainable and humane farming practices, animal care and animal health. These 3rd generation farmers are passionate about producing food for local families.

Heritage Farms

The second stop on our tour is Heritage Farms, a family farm that raises Canadian grass-fed and grain-finished beef and produces certified organic, free-range eggs. 

The Garcia family takes pride in teaching their children respect for the animals and the value of hard work, and in providing the highest quality beef that is ethically and sustainably raised.

Bredenhof Hop Farms and R & T Poultry

The third stop on our tour is Bredenhof Hop Farms and R & T Poultry. Raymond and Tracey Bredenhof started their poultry farm with 5,000 birds and have expanded to 250,000 birds per year. They branched out to grow hops about 5 years ago and are now one of the largest hop growers in the region – and they do all their own processing and distribution as well!

Sparkes Corn Barn

The second stop on our tour is Heritage Farms, a family farm that raises Canadian grass-fed and grain-finished beef and produces certified organic, free-range eggs.

The Garcia family takes pride in teaching their children respect for the animals and the value of hard work, and in providing the highest quality beef that is ethically and sustainably raised.

Golden Oak Acres

The fifth and final stop on our tour is Golden Oak Acres, a family-owned and operated farm in Chilliwack that recently transitioned from poultry to dairy farming. Chris Kloot, dairy farmer and City of Chilliwack Councillor, is passionate about supporting Canadian farmers and protecting our food sovereignty. Watch to hear why Chris loves Chilliwack agriculture.

2019 Chilliwack Agriculture Tour

2018 Chilliwack Agriculture Tour

2017 Chilliwack Agriculture Tour

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