MEET YOUR FARMER
Denis is a family man with a passion for veggies and organic farming, and he comes by it naturally. 40 years prior to the start of Grey Arrow Farm, Denis’ mother and father were following their own dream and building a successful organic vegetable and blueberry farm in British Columbia’s lush Fraser Valley.
Denis grew up barefoot running between rows of carrots and beets, planting and weeding alongside his brothers and sisters in the summer sunshine, and harvesting to sell at the Vancouver Farmer’s Markets where the family sold the majority of their crops. He reminisces that his favourite thing about growing up on a farm was always having fresh food to eat. “That’s what I remember the most,” he says, “we always had boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables– just an endless supply of delicious food to eat.” He smiles at the memory.
Having branched out onto his own farm now, Denis desires to build a similar legacy with his own family. What was the #1 thing he learned from his parents about farming? He says, “They taught me that the health of your food is more important than the wealth of your bank account. Don’t compromise quality for quantity, sacrificing the quality of your food to be able to produce more.” He continues, “It takes hard work—my parents worked really hard. They were very generous people. They were both passionate about what they did, and they put the quality of their food over top of their bottom line even. That wasn’t compromised.” He nods his head in commitment, “I want to do the same.”
“They taught me that the health of your food is more important than the wealth of your bank account. Don’t compromise quality for quantity, sacrificing the quality of your food to be able to produce more.”
Farming is more than just a business to Denis. For him farming is a love and a way of life. He enjoys having relationship with his customers, as well as providing them with good nutritious food. His wife Andrea and their five children are also excited to be a part of it, to work alongside him, and to have it grow. Denis always looks forward to a new growing season and to providing an abundance of good food for his customers.
