COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • OCTOBER 2019


Thousands converge on Westham Island Day at the Farm introduces families to local agriculture, food


by RONDA PAYNE DELTA—The 14th annual


Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust (DFWT) Day at the Farm exposed families to working animals and introduced them to food made from local ingredients to help them learn more about local agriculture. It took place September 7 at Delta’s Westham Island Herb Farm. DFWT office and event


coordinator Valerie Miller says nice weather brought between 4,000 and 5,000 people to the event to enjoy 40-minute wagon tours, the ever-popular BC Fresh potato dig, displays, live entertainment, horse vaulting and a homemade food competition. “We’ve been able to keep it as something free that people are able to attend,” says Miller. “We’re only able to do that because of all the support of the 75 to 100 people who volunteer every year to put the event on in addition to all the sponsorship.” One sponsor, Alviene


Wilkins of Vinca’s Kitchen, provided prizes for the pie contest. The BC Blueberry Council, BC Strawberry Growers Association and BC Raspberry Industry Development Council sponsored a homemade jam contest. Chef Trevor Randle of BC Ag in the Classroom was judge for both contests. Susanne MacDonald’s apple pie won first place and second place went to Miller’s friend Shirley Doucette, who baked a peach pie. Jam winners were Martha Hoff with a blueberry-ginger-


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Day at the Farm organizer Valerie Miller says the good weather brought 4,000 to 5,000 people out to the Westham Island event. RONDA PAYNE PHOTOS


orange preserve, Val Botkin with blackberry and Charlene Fiehm with crabapple jelly. “Jam really features all these berry products and allows people to use local products,” says Miller. “We try to create a contest that will showcase local products. We’re trying to come up with a way to showcase potatoes since more than 50% of BC’s potatoes are grown here in Delta.” Miller says 1,280 people


enjoyed wagon tours of the farm last year, and she


expects even more enjoyed the three wagons that took visitors around this year. With local farmers at the wheels, people got to hear real-life stories and individual perspectives about agriculture. Third-generation Delta farmer Gordon Ellis of Westham Island Herb Farm headed up the teams. A new activity at the event was horse vaulting from Pacific Equine Empowerment, featuring six-year-old Magnus, a Norwegian Fjord. “It’s introducing children to


riding,” explains Miller. “They learn horse skills before they ever get the reins in their hands.” Trish Pitzel, the head facilitator with Pacific Equine Empowerment, notes that it’s a way for kids to be introduced to horses at a young age in a safe environment. Vaulting combines gymnastics with equestrian so that youngsters move and pose on the moving horse while a helper walks alongside and a handler, like Pitzel, keeps the


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horse moving on its lead. “We need to have more access to horse activity,” Pitzel says. “Horse vaulting is internationally known as the best way to introduce children to horses. It’s popular in Europe and is getting more popular in North America.” Day at the Farm not only brings families to the farm, but also brings farmers together to help host an event that showcases and promotes their livelihood and gives them a venue to tell their stories.


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Horse vaulting is the ideal way to get kids familiar with horses according to Trish Pitzel of Pacific Equine Empowerment. Her horse Magnus is a pro at making kids comfortable when on and around horses.


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