To celebrate a hundred years of ranching, the Province recently recognized the Poole family and Poole Farms with a Century Farm Award. Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick commended the family for their dedication and the contribution they've made to British Columbia's long legacy of food production and agriculture.

In 1912, Charles and Alfred Poole and their families travelled by covered wagon to settle in the Nukli Lake area of B.C. Upon arrival, they discovered that the quarter section of land they had purchased was swampy and unfit for farming. They explored other areas and found land in the Mapes District located southeast of Vanderhoof. In 1913, Charles Poole obtained a pre-emption claim for the property and, in 1924, received a certificate of title.

In 1955, the property was transferred to Charles' daughter Grace, who continued to farm with her brother Hubert and his family. The land was transferred to Hubert's son Arthur Poole and Poole Farms Ltd. in 2012. His other son, Charles, runs his own ranch in the community.

The family originally raised Hereford cattle and are still raising beef today. The original holding of 160 acres is now a 3,500-acre beef operation.

Even though they are now retired, Hubert and wife Edna are still involved in the day-to-day running of the farm but the majority of responsibility now falls on son Arthur and his son, Dale.

Century Farm Awards honour agricultural organizations that have been active for a century or longer as well as pioneers whose farms and ranches have been in families for 100 years or more. Each Century Farm Award celebrates the rich heritage of farming and ranching families and organizations in B.C.

To view downloadable photos of the award presentation, please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/8492219863/

Quotes:

Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick -

"Poole Farms was one of the first of the now nearly 4,000 ranches in B.C. and an important part of our $206-million beef industry. I applaud the family's dedication and contribution that they've make to the B.C. economy over the past century."

Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad -

"Vanderhoof was the first agricultural settlement in the province, and the Poole family was one of the founding families of the region. I congratulate the Poole family on this major milestone of 100 years in farming, as they are one of the reasons that Nechako is one of the top cattle ranching areas in the province."

Poole Farms Ltd., Arthur Poole -

"The farm today is the results of a lot of hard work by all members of the Poole family. Today the fourth generation continues to raise beef cattle. If one could only imagine the changes the farm has seen in the last 100 years."

Quick Facts:

• To date, over 100 family farms or organizations have received the Century Farm Award.

• The Century Farm award program was created in 1994 to mark the centennial of the Ministry of Agriculture.

• Nine out of 10 B.C. farms are family-owned and operated.

Learn More:

For more information about B.C.'s Century Farm Program: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/regional/CenturyFarmAwards/CenturyFarms.htm

Media Contact:

Kathryn Hardy
Communications
Ministry of Agriculture
250 387-1693