approach, using environmentally-friendly methods, although they are not certified organic.
They’re also sensitive to the community. Parking is always an issue. The goal was for the agri-tourism operation to be in the centre of the farm so the consumers feel as though they’re on a farm. It’s also closer then to u-pick in every corner of the farm.
But, they wanted to be good neighbours too. They didn’t want people parked all over the road at the entrance to the farm, so they had to sacrifice farmland for a parking lot. From a strictly-summer operation, it’s grown to include the Thanksgiving and harvest- themed fall months when squash and pumpkins, corn and late berries are available. It used to be that even August was a slower month, so they pickled that month, but now there are later season strawberries and raspberries available and blueberries as well to fill in the gaps in the season.
They grow Williamette, Malahat, Chemainus, Cascade Delight, Heritage and Coho raspberry varieties; Totem, Rainier, Reliant, Clancy Stolo and the day neutral Albion strawberry varieties; and Duke, Bluegold, Brigitta, Liberty and Bluecrop blueberries.
“Six weeks is too short a season in which to build a destination place. It’s a commitment,” comments Krause.
Now, they also re-open for a six-week Christmas-themed farm experience, where since 2002, they’ve offered specialty baking, gift baskets, frozen pies and Christmas-theme items.
In the past three years there’s been huge growth each year until there are now 500 people a day who visit for the Christmas farm experience. It fits in well with
neighbouring Christmas tree farms, turkey operations, an equestrian centre, an apple orchard, lavender farm, alpaca
British Columbia Berry Grower • Spring 2011 9
farm and wineries to attract visitors for a variety of farm experiences in one rural area.
Alf and Sandee have brought up their six children on the farm. Sarah, Grayden, Tanner, Jared, Holly and Tracey have all worked in the operation, but only one went into agriculture and works full-time on the property. “We want them to have other
experiences. We don’t want them to feel they have to become involved.” For those in agriculture to survive there are two choices, Krause believes: large farm operations utilize the efficiencies of scale. It’s all about volume more than it is
about quality, he comments. Such operators can’t get into agri-
tourism and concentrate on primary agriculture at the same time.
But, if you’re in the middle, it’s difficult, even if you operate as efficiently as possible while maintaining quality, he adds. “You have to add value, because your
costs of production tend to be higher.” But, it’s also a way of life.
“We believe agriculture is important to our country and to our community,” he says.
“It’s a miracle every spring to see seeds grow.”
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