Board and Staff
The BCAC unites the efforts of our partners and member associations as well as the provincial and federal government to lead BC agriculture in pursuit of our mission. However, we wouldn’t be able to lead the industry without the direction of our professional and dedicated Board. Meet the people that form the governing body of the BCAC and are working together to advance BC agriculture.
Garnet owns and operates a turkey farm in Abbotsford with his family. The Etsells recently ventured into BC’s exciting wine industry by planting their first block of wine grape vines. Garnet actively represents agricultural interests provincially and federally as director for the BC Poultry Association, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the BC Bioenergy Network. He finds great satisfaction in taking raw resources and turning them into food, a basic necessity of human life. Garnet’s vision is a vibrant BC agriculture industry that contributes to the well-being of the Province and provides its participants with rewarding careers.
Dennis brings the experience gained from a prolific background in public service to his involvement with the BCAC, including 26 years with the Calgary Police Service, elected local government positions, land and resource management planning as well as other provincial advocacy roles. He also owns and operates a purebred sheep farm near Falkland, BC, where he has been farming since 1992. In addition to the BCAC, Dennis represents the Certified Organic Associations of BC as well as two non-commodity specific entities: 1) the Community Agriculture sector, which currently comprises the FARM Community Council and 2) the BC Sheep Federation.
As a third generation Kelowna orchardist, Christine and her husband – also a third generation orchardist – own and operate a cherry and apple orchard in BC’s Okanagan Valley. Having previously served as the director for a variety of agriculture organizations, Christine brings valuable experience to her role as Treasurer for the BCAC and involvement with other organizations including the Okanagan Kootenay Cherry Growers Association and South East Kelowna Irrigation District. Her vision for BC agriculture is to see a province where farming is sustainable in all aspects and where government genuinely values agriculture demonstrated by meaningful policy commitments and long-term programs.
A retired secondary school administrator, Lynda and her family raise Simmental cattle and a variety of horses on their 600-acre farm near Quesnel, BC. Having not come from a family farm, Lynda’s progression into ranching stems from a love for animals and the outdoors, and has been nurtured by hard work, steady growth and the help of family and friends. Lynda is involved in many organizations including the North Cariboo Draft Horse Association and Quesnel Agriculture Exhibition Association. Her vision for BC agriculture is to see an environment where large industrial enterprises could co-exist with small family farms with each being rewarded for their contributions.
A former teacher, Lou chose the rancher’s lifestyle for his family south of Merritt, BC. For 30 years, the Cookes did what you think a rancher does - calving, roping and running spring-time cattle drives and fall round-ups. Having downsized from 250 to 150 cows, Lou now over-winters the calves and sells them as yearlings the following year. Lou lives and breathes the outdoor life and enjoys tremendous satisfaction in raising thriving animals. His vision for BC agriculture is an environment that is more conducive to greater financial stability and success for farmers and ranchers.
Born into the farming industry, Rhonda carries on the family tradition as a berry grower and packer in the Fraser Valley, with 160-acres of blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, red currants and haskapberries. In her role with the BCAC, Rhonda is highly active in coordinating the annual BCAC Agriculture Industry Gala. She is also the president of the BC Raspberry Growers’ Association, co-chair of the Labour Committee and a member of the Minister’s Trade Advisory Council. In the future, Rhonda hopes to see heightened awareness and respect for the role that BC agriculture has in regards to employment and environmental sustainability.
Kerry is active in key agricultural associations including BC Young Farmers, the Fraser Valley Regional District Agricultural Advisory Committee and the BC Chicken Growers’ Association. Having grown up and worked on the family raspberry farm for 30 years, Kerry now raises broiler chickens and a few head of beef cattle in Abbotsford, BC. Kerry is proud to farm by providing a healthy food product, knowing that the love for farming connects the generations of his family. Kerry’s vision for BC agriculture is to see a renewed respect for the agricultural sector and for the responsible professionals in it.
For over 30 years, Rolf has been raising an average of 7,000 hogs per year on the family farm that he took over for from his parents. In recent years, he has progressed into breeding and selling beef cattle. Rolf draws from his breadth of experience and love for the farming lifestyle as a representative for the BC Pork Producers’ Association and board member for the BC Farm Animal Care Council and BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation. Regarding the future of BC agriculture, Rolf anticipates a shift to a more speciality type of production rather than commodity, causing farmers to re-evaluate how they sell their products.
Since purchasing the family dairy farm in 1998, Ken and his brother have expanded the business three-fold, successfully making the transition from employees to managers. Aside from his daily farm duties, Ken remains actively involved in BC’s dairy sector through his involvement with the BC Dairy Association, Mainland Milk Producers’ Association, Agrifoods International Co-Operative and Specialty Advisory Committee. With the diversity of BC agriculture, Ken recognizes that addressing the issues that affect the various agricultural sectors will be crucial to developing and maintaining sustainable farms for the next generation of BC farmers and ranchers.
About 72 km north of Dawson Creek are 3,500 acres of wheat, barley, oats, canola, and fescue. This is where Robert grew up. He bought his parents’ farm and continues the family tradition of growing grain. Independence and self-reliance are values he shares with his young family along with the satisfaction of working outdoors. As Vice-President of the BC Grain Producers’ Association, Robert is a modern farmer who believes not only in contributing to food security for BC and Canada, but also in growing the ability of BC farmers and ranchers to market their products worldwide.
Stan is a director of United Flower Growers, the Chilliwack Agriculture Advisory Committee and the BC Agriculture Innovation Council. He grew up on the family dairy farm and raised hogs for several years. From a 3,000 sq.ft. greenhouse almost three decades ago, Stan’s floriculture business has grown to a combined 1.5 million sq.ft. in BC and Alberta. He also continues to grow forage and grain crops. For the Vander Waals, variety is the spice of life. A family vacation means working in the greenhouses to harvesting alfalfa to operating the combine. Stan believes that BC agriculture has a challenging, but bright, future through the innovation of farmers.
Ray’s transition into farming was a natural progression as he took over for the family vegetable greenhouse business in BC’s Lower Mainland. In addition to representing the vegetable sector on the BCAC Board, Ray lends his expertise to his roles as the Director and Treasurer for the BC Greenhouse Growers’ Association and Director for the Delta Farmers’ Institute. While Ray enjoys contributing to a dynamic industry, he envisions government policies that can unlock BC agriculture’s fullest potential by promoting farming and supporting its role in the province’s economic, environmental and social landscapes.
