Farmer Stories
At Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust (DFWT), we've been supporting local farmers for over 30 years. Through a combination of stewardship programs that offer funding to farmers, and research projects, our goal is to preserve and sustain local farmland, both for its role in food production and as a valued source of wildlife habitat and ecosystem services.
Learn more about our local farmers and how DFWT's stewardship programs are helping them promote conservation on farmland.
Ken Malenstyn, Crescent Island Farm
Crescent Island Farms in Ladner BC, has been in the Malenstyn family since 1961. Today the farm’s 25 acres grow hay, vegetables, and hops for Barnside Brewing Co., a farm-based brewery owned by Ken Malenstyn’s family, along with three other Delta farm families. Over the years, the Malenstyn family has participated in both Grassland Set-Aside (GLSA) and Hedgerow Stewardship programs with Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust (DFWT).
Lydia Ryall, Cropthorne Farm
At Cropthorne Farm on Westham Island, Lydia Ryall and her family farm 24 acres of certified organic vegetables and cover crops.
The vision for Cropthorne has always been to achieve diversity in all aspects of its operation: in its farm crew, marketing methods and crops, and by supporting biodiverse ecosystems. The sustainable farming practices that DFWT promotes are a perfect fit for the farm.
Brent Harris, Fraserland Organics
Brent Harris and his family operate a 6th generation organic farm in Delta, farming nearly 2,000 acres of cranberries (non-organic), peas, beans, barley, cattle corn, and potatoes. They’ve been participating in DFWT’s cost-sharing, Cover Crop Program since 1993, when the Trust was first established.
“Our number one reason to plant cover crops is because it’s the right thing to do for our farming system and soils,” says Brent, “but having the cost-share programs with DFWT helps us to try something new and allows us to experiment.”
Cory Gerrard, Rod Swenson Farms
Rod Swenson Farms, a fourth-generation family farm, has been growing a variety of crops for decades, including potatoes, turnips, sweet corn, processing peas, and cereal crops. Starting its operations in Delta, the farm has now expanded to Abbotsford, and Kamloops
Over the years, Rod Swenson farms has participated in multiple stewardship programs, including Cover Crops, Cereal Habitat Enhancement, as well as Grassland Set-Aside programs.
Nancy Chong, Yet Chong Farms
Nancy Chong of Yet Chong Farms (Howe Chong Farms) in Delta, BC, transitioned from growing potatoes and vegetables to blueberries in 1990. Recently, the farm began replanting older blueberry fields impacted by the scorch virus, starting with eight acres three to four years ago.
To manage these fields, Nancy enrolled in the DFWT Blueberry Rest program, to help improve soil health, support pollination, and create wildlife habitats while waiting to replant. Nancy finds the program especially beneficial for Delta’s clay soils, which can suffer from compaction.
Jack Zellweger, Zellweger Farms
Zellweger Farms on Westham Island has been in the family for three generations. Jack and his family have a long history with Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust (DFWT) – he even served as a Director for a time.
The farm grows winter cover crops and participates in DFWT’s Grassland Set-Aside (GLSA) Program. Along with providing wildlife habitat and improved soil health, GLSAs like the Zellweger’s also store carbon – just one of the many ecosystem services provided by farms.
How Can You Help?
Your donation will work towards conserving important farmland and wildlife resources contained in the Fraser River delta.