When we say "Grown with Care. Rooted in Pride.", we really mean it! Take a gander at a few bios straight from local growers who proudly grow B.C. Brand fruit (specifically, B.C. Brand Ambrosias and Spartans). They'll tell you a few things about themselves, their craft and why they love what they do.
(And yes, there's more to tell than the fact we're hosting a rather large winter world-wide sporting event this year who's official name we're not at liberty to mention...)
Father Charles Pandosy, an Oblate missionary, is credited with planting the first fruit tree in the Kelowna, B.C. area in the mid-1800s. Since then, along with the growth of the community around it, the tree fruits industry has flourished.
Kelowna is often known as the hub of the tree fruit growing industry, though fresh, high-quality fruit is produced throughout B.C. Kelowna, located in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, has a semi-desert climate, over 2,000 hours of sunshine per year and less than one foot of rain – all making for a fruit-growers mecca.
Since the early 1900s, B.C. Brand fruit has earned recognition and won international awards for producing best-of-class fruit, including:
- all of the apricots and Anjou pears produced in Canada
- 60% of Canada's cherries
- 50% of Bartlett pears grown in Canada
- 33% of Canada's apples
- plus prune plums, peaches and plentiful amounts of berries.
Being able to grow such large quantity of a variety of fruit comes from the Okanagan landscape being so diverse, a result of glaciers that receded some 10,000 years ago. From hills and valleys, dry air, wind patterns, different soils and proximity to water, the Okanagan Valley truly is a grower's paradise.
Less Pests mean Less Pesticides
That's right - while thinking about it might give you the heebie-jeebies, when it comes to producing high-quality fruit, this is an incredibly important factor.
In fact, the Okanagan, Similkameen and Creston Valleys are the only commercial apple-growing regions in North America that remain free of the apple maggot. Eww!
We're Eco-Friendly
Today's consumers want food grown with as few chemicals as possible. The Okanagan's hot, dry desert-like climate prevents many bugs, fungi and diseases from occurring that are common to other areas.
As well, buying fruit grown in B.C. lessens your environmental footprint. Fresh, B.C. Brand Ambrosias and Spartans, for example, while also grown using possibly fewer chemicals also impact the environment less than apples that have been transported in from other countries.
Last But DEFINITELY Not Least, Our Growers
We'd like now to enlighten you with some of the growers who produce this award-winning B.C. Brand fruit that makes it to your table.
Click on a Grower to read more.
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Jack Machial |
| Oliver, B.C. | Owns 20 acres, Farms 13 Number of Years Growing: 37 years |
In Canada, I am a second generation grower. But, as I'm originally from Portugal and from a long line of farmers, I'm actually a fifth generation grower. I truly hope that continues on. When I retire, one of my boys is very interested in taking over - future generation farming keeps me farming!
For 37 years we've been tending apples, cherries and plums. I just love being in the orchard, being amongst the trees and seeing the fruit grow. I enjoy the challenge to grow the best fruit I can. I've actually had other career opportunities but quit to come back to farming – maybe it's in the blood!
Ever since I discovered the Okanagan, I've yet to find a better place. I've been all over the world, too! The climate is dry, and our winters aren't excessively cold. I find the Okanagan to be the closest thing to "heaven on earth". Especially Oliver, B.C. (where I live). It's like our postal code: VOH = Valley of Heaven!
The fruit industry over the years has provided me the opportunity to raise my family and educate my kids. At times it has been tough but overall, it’s been good to me. I know I am in an industry that has a positive effect on people's lives.
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Neal and Louisa Carter | Carter Family Orchard |
| Summerland, B.C. | 21.5 acres Number of Years Growing: 15 years |
Fifteen years is a long time to love being orchardists as much as we do! We are first generation farmers (though we had an uncle in Keremeos, B.C. whose family orchard started in about 1910.) We've stayed in it this long because it provides a fantastic lifestyle – we get to do something productive. And there aren't many producers left in our service-oriented economy!
We get such incredible joy out of seeing consumers love our fruit. The people, the challenges, responding to all the different dynamics, harvest-time and seeing the "fruits of our labour" keeps us growing the very best, high-quality apples and cherries we can.
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Robert Stewart | Stewart Farms |
| Cawston, B.C. | 40 acres Number of Years Growing: 6 years |
There's never a dull moment growing fruit in B.C.! I soak up the challenge of meeting the high standards that B.C. growers must abide by in order to compete in the global marketplace.
I predominantly grow apples, and some pears. I caught the “growing bug” from my Dad – he had such a passion for growing fruit and operating the family business. He's definitely passed that onto me!
The Okanagan provides me and my family such a tremendous way of life. Probably my favourite part is the hot weather and landscapes – this place truly is beautiful! And it's the place that allows me to produce sweet, highly-nutritious fruit day in and day out.
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Doug Boult | Rafter-B Farms Ltd. |
| Cawston, B.C. | 22 acres |
For 45 years, we at Rafter-B Farms have been growing apples and cherries with passion. It sounds like a lot longer than it feels! When you love what you do, trust me, time passes quickly.
What I love most about the fruit growing industry is working outdoors in the sunny Okanagan. This is a really dynamic industry that’s constantly getting better – we’re always looking for ways to produce better, healthier, more eco-friendly fruit. It feels great to be part of something that's making a difference in the quality of food being served on my neighbour's table.
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John Casorso |
| Kelowna, B.C. |
I have grown apples and pears all of my life and for several generations, too. My ancestors were one of the first families in the Valley – those in Kelowna will know Casorso Road – that was named after my Grandfather!
We take great pride in the fruit we grow, and as one of Kelowna's long-time families, look forward to continuing to do so for years to come.
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Tom Ouchi |
| Vernon, B.C. | 20 acres Number of Years Growing: 18 years |
My Grandad actually started farming in 1930 with growing vegetables, and then transitioned to tree fruits in the 1960s. Today, we grow everything from apples, pears, peaches and a few cherries (as well as tomatoes and peppers!).
The best thing for me right now about this industry is the increasing demand for local product. There's incredible potential for local growers – it's so satisfying to hear locals talk about the need to support local farmers. When you own your own business, you become very prideful about what you produce. When you grow something and watch the process, it brings incredible satisfaction.
The Okanagan is truly a beautiful spot to grow up in and raise a family – and of course, to grow tasty, healthy B.C. Brand fruit!
