For a guy who doesn’t like the limelight, Lew Truscott’s spent quite a bit of time in it this month.
On Canada Day, the long-time orchardist and beekeeper was presented with a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal. On Monday, the B.C. government got into the act when Agriculture Minister Don McCrae arrived to present Lew, Bill and Barb (Lew’s son and daughter-in-law) Truscott with a sign that commemorates the family’s 100 years of farming in the province.
“I don’t know about all this,” the 87-year-old said in his characteristic fashion about the attention he’s been getting lately. “But I guess if it only happens every hundred years…”
On hand for McCrae’s presentation at Truscott Farms were Lew and his brother, Chuck, Bill and Barb and their grandson, Ethan, and Lew’s daughter, Susan Snow, her husband, Gary, and their son, Micah.
“This is the second Century Farm Award I’ve presented and I must say it’s a real honour to recognize the contributions of these pioneers,” McCrae said. “It is innovative families like the Truscotts who maintain B.C.’s legacy as a trusted source for fresh, healthy agrifoods products for families around the world.”
Century Farm Awards honour agricultural organizations that have been active for a century or longer as well as pioneers whose farms and ranches have been in families for 100 years or more. Each Century Farm Award celebrates the rich heritage of farming and ranching families and organizations in B.C. The Truscotts are the 97th family in B.C. to be recognized with the award.
McCrae, who has been in his portfolio since March 2011, is a former high school teacher, said he enjoyed getting away from Victoria and visiting farming communities around the province.
“It’s important to get out and see these communities first hand,” he said on Monday. “And it’s really good to be here during the growing season — it’s a beautiful valley.”
The minister began his three-day visit to the Kootenays by learning about local water issues — flooded farmland on the Creston flats and the need for affordable irrigation water for fruit growers and farmers throughout the Creston Valley.
“There is no lack of water here,” he said. “But we need to get it to farms at a reasonable price.”
Earlier in the day, the Comox Valley MLA toured Skimmerhorn Winery and Vineyard. He complimented owner Al Hoag for his courage to go into a new kind of farming after having been an apple grower.
“He is making a very good product — great value and great taste,” McCrae said. “And it’s nice to see other wineries starting up. They will help build a stronger market.”
On Tuesday, McCrae said, he would be meeting with livestock producers before heading to east to Fort Steele and meetings with Regional District of East Kootenay directors. Before he returned to Vancouver Island on Wednesday he would be touring the area to learn more about Agricultural Land Reserve issues.
“Farmers in B.C. are doing just what they need to be doing, focusing on local markets and adding to the value of what they produce,” he said.