FarmerBills.com
Title
Welcome To Farmer Bills Country Market
Description
William farmed along with his two sons Jim and Ed until 1944 when he suffered a heart attack and passed away. Jim and Ed took over the operation and Jim's eldest son Bill (Farmer Bill) helped his Dad and Uncle most of his life. In 1985 Bill and his wife Dezi bought the farm and in 1988 they purchased the 102 acre Littleton farm adjoining their farm and bordering up to the Pacific Rim Highway.
Together they ran the farm and raised three children, Billy, Kryssie, and Kasha who also helped to milk cows and pitched hay bales whenever it was necessary. In the early 1990's, the B.C. Dairy Industry had enforced many unforeseen changes to the dairy industries forcing many small dairy outfits to leave their operation. At a Farm Marketing Seminar in 1996, Bill and Dezi discovered that many farmers had diversified their farms to direct farm marketing with much success. So in March of 1999, after 99 years and four generations of milking cows, Bill and Dezi made the toughest decision of their lives. They left the dairy industry, sold their cows and quota and began to diversify their farm.
Farmer Bill's Country Market is now very much diversified. It's both a Direct Farm Market and an Agri-Tourism business venture. The first year 1999, the market site operated for the month of October only, and with hard work and long hours it was developed on the Pacific Rim Highway, where they sold corn, pumpkins, zucchini, hay, and some crafts under large tents. Tractor pulled wagon rides, the pumpkin patch, birthday parties, school and group tours, a hay bale maze, farm animals, children's play area, and an outdoor Cook House provided the local residents and tourists with entertaining activities. The highlight of the month was the Halloween weekend celebration. Hay wagons took people to the Haunted Barn along the Wagon Trail that was lit by rows of carved pumpkins where the people encountered ghosts and spooks on the trip. It was great Halloween fun for the whole family.
