Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
P43431 |
Description |
Parm and Satwinder Bains leading a tour of the Bains' Westberry Farms processing plant. Among the individuals attending is Mayor Henry Braun, right. |
Provenance |
Digital file collected during research for a video history of Punjabi farmers in Abbotsford as part of the research for the South Asian in the Valley exhibition. Parm and Satwinder Bains got into the blueberry business in 1989 when they purchased farmland with several berry bushes already in place. The couple wanted to be out of the urban area, into a rural setting to create a place to raise their family: Simran, Suvi and Navtej. Since 1996, the Bains have worked with three other farms as Westberry Farms. Together, Westberry has 350 acres of blueberries and 400 seasonal employees, and processes its products at a packing plant on the Bains' farmland. The plant allows them to grade, inspect, package, pre-cool, and ship their berries within 24 hours of picking. In 1992, the Bains also began growing cranberries and now have 15 acres under cultivation, selling directly to Ocean Spray. Managing the agricultural operation is Parm's full-time occupation. In addition to her work managing the farm, is the Executive Director of the South Asian Studies Institute at UFV. The company contributes over three million pounds annually to the BC blueberry market, which, in the year 2000, was the second largest in North America. |
Date |
2020 |
Object Name |
Photograph |
Source |
Bains, Suvi |
People |
Bains, Parm Bains, Satwinder Braun, Henry |