ItB次元官网网址檚 all in the family.
Four generations of family members named Michael Smith are being celebrated for 100 years of farming at the family operated 13 Maples Farm on Somenos Road. They were recently recognized with a Century Farm Award for their contribution to B.C. agriculture and their local community which they received in the mail in June.
B次元官网网址淚 am proud of our familyB次元官网网址檚 history of farming in the Cowichan Valley and quietly contributing to our local community,B次元官网网址� said Michael D. Smith, current owner of 13 Maples Farm. B次元官网网址淚 hope to hand down the farm to my daughter Charlotte and fifth generation Michael J. in the future. ItB次元官网网址檚 just nice for us, thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot happening in the world so itB次元官网网址檚 really nice to have a piece of paradise like this.B次元官网网址�
The Century Farm Award program was created in 1994 to mark the centennial of the Ministry of Agriculture, and honours agriculture families and organizations that have operated in B.C. for more than a century, while celebrating the rich heritage of farming, and ranching in B.C.
B次元官网网址淔amily farms are so important as they provide nutritious home-grown food for their communities and the Smith family have been doing this for more than 100 years in the Cowichan Valley,B次元官网网址� said Minister of Agriculture and Food Pam Alexis. B次元官网网址淐entury Farm Awards celebrate long-standing B.C. farming families and I want to congratulate all of the Michaels and the entire Smith family on their well-deserved achievement.B次元官网网址�
The Smiths have been farming in Cowichan since 1987. The colourful story of the four Michaels and the rest of the Smith family started more than 130 years ago when they made the trek from Nova Scotia to the Cowichan area after originally immigrating from England in the 1850s. Brothers Michael and Bob first planted the seed and began a mining, logging and a dairy operation at their farm of more than 40 hectares on Somenos Road.
In 1936 Michael J., the son of Michael and his wife Edith, took over the family farm, focusing on dairy. Michael J. carried on the family tradition two-fold, and out of his of his three children, he named one of his two sons Michael K. While his other children Marg and Frank left the farm for other pursuits, Michael K. stuck around and eventually cared for 35 head of cattle and 200 layer hens. Wearing a couple of hats, he was also the president of the Duncan Farmers Market, and when not tending to the animals on their acreage, Michael K. would work alongside his dad at the Crofton Pulp Mill.
B次元官网网址淚t was a real surprise to find out we were getting it,B次元官网网址� said Michael K. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice to be recognized that we have been here that long.B次元官网网址�
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Over the years several parcels of land on the family farm were sold to make way for Somenos Road. This was followed by the development of the Trans-Canada Highway. A third section was cut off for work on a water pipeline. Today, the fourth generation Michael Smith, Michael D. continues to tend to, and work on 13 Maples Farm, which is now 10.5 hectares.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e really excited, and happy to receive this honour,B次元官网网址� said Michael D. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a lot of work, but itB次元官网网址檚 cool to be able to do it, and still have it preserved. The fact that weB次元官网网址檝e been able to continue to do it, is probably the best part.B次元官网网址�
Michael D. has two little ones of his own, his son Michael J., and his daughter Charlotte, and while he says it would be nice if they wanted to continue to carry on the family tradition, it is a choice that will be theirs as they get older.
While the farmland has decreased in size, it has grown in other ways. Michael D. currently has eggs, chickens, pigs, goats and crops, as well as a farm-stand.
You can find more information on how to nominate a farm, or organization for a Century Farm Award by visiting the Century Farm and Ranch Award
B次元官网网址淚t is so important that we celebrate and recognize our legacy farm families in British Columbia,B次元官网网址� said Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA, Doug Routley. B次元官网网址淚 want to congratulate the Smith family on their Century Farm Award and say thank you for your incredible contribution to our community for more than 100 years.B次元官网网址�
chadd.cawson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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