Century Farm Award Honours Four Generations of Family Farming in British Columbia

Strategic Insights -

The Balakshin family has been recognized for more than 100 years of family farming in British Columbia, with New Siberia Farms, named after the family's roots east of the Ural Mountains, receiving the Century Farm Award. This honor highlights the family's contributions to B.C.'s agriculture community and their dedication to providing high-quality food for the province. The family's journey began when Andrew Alexander Balakshin and his wife Maria Vassilievna Balakshin relocated to China in 1920 and later to Canada, where they purchased a plot of land in Chilliwack and established New Siberia Farms in 1925.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Balakshin family has been farming in British Columbia for over 100 years, with four generations working hard to provide food for the province.
  • The family's farm, New Siberia Farms, has grown to encompass 30.76 hectares of land, with 20.64 hectares being added in the 1960s.
  • The farm has transitioned from raising chickens and eggs to organic dairy production, producing approximately 3,300 litres of milk every two days.
  • Andrew Balakshin worked closely with the Russian immigrant community in B.C., helping to establish the Russian Orthodox Society and offering farm employment to new arrivals.
  • The farm has been family-owned and operated for 100 years, with four generations contributing to its success.
  • The Century Farm Award celebrates the rich heritage of farming and ranching in B.C. and honors farms like New Siberia Farms that have been active for 100 years or more.
  • The award recognizes the vital role family farms play in preserving agricultural heritage and ensuring the health and well-being of future generations.

Statistics:

  • 100 years of family farming in British Columbia
  • 30.76 hectares: total operation size of New Siberia Farms
  • 20.64 hectares: additional land added to the farm in the 1960s
  • 3,300 litres: milk produced every two days
  • 55: number of milking cows on the farm
  • 4 generations: number of generations farming in the Balakshin family

Sources:

  • Government of British Columbia