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Yarrow Growers' Co-operative Association (Co-op)
In 1943, the Yarrow Growers Association, formed in 1936 to market member farmers' produce, amalgamated with the Yarrow Growers Co-operative Association, formed in 1937 to sell consumer goods to members. The Yarrow Co-op operated successfully during the years of WWII, selling most of its processed berries to the Canadian Government for shipment to Great Britain. Along with its large processing plant at the end of Eckert Road, the Co-op ran a two-story department store at the corner of Eckert and Central Roads, with shoe, clothing, "yard cloth," hardware, and grocery departments. This modern building also contained a coffee shop and the Co-op's offices. William Schellenberg was the President; Jacob Krause was the General Manager; and Peter Friesen was the Bookkeeper (Klassen 75-78).
When the Canadian Government stopped buying berries to ship to Great Britain, the Co-op could not market its members' berries, leading to the liquidation of the Yarrow Growers' Co-operative Association in 1949.
The following article by Jacob Krause analyzes the prospects for Yarrow's berry industry following WWII.
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— — — Der Friedens-Bote: September 1946 pages 3-4 — — —
Der Friedens-Bote was a community paper, put together and published
in the 1940's by Kornelius Neufeld of Columbia Press, Yarrow, B.C.
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Do Berries Have a Future
by Jacob C. Krause, Co-op General Manger
It is completely correct when we ask ourselves if it still is worth it to plant more raspberries or strawberries. Stimulated by the good berry prices which have already held for several years, more and larger areas are being planted with berry bushes. Several years ago this expansion was done more cautiously. People enlarged their raspberry patch by planting a few more rows, or they spoke of planting a quarter or a half acre. Today it is completely natural to speak of planting several acres of berries. Small dairy farms are being converted to berry farms. And it doesn't surprise anyone, that with today's existing prices, a berry farm brings in a lot more money than any other line of farming. How the production of berries in our organization here in Yarrow grew is shown by the following figures, measured in tons. [2000 lbs. = 1 Ton] 1937 - 37; 1938 - 70; 1939 - 116; 1940 - 167; 1941 - 204; 1942 - 300; 1943 - 416; 1944 - 814; 1945 - 1350; and 1946 - 2000.
I don't have completely accurate data as to when the berry fields were planted, but according to the data we do have, as of this year, Yarrow has approximately 350 acres in raspberries. After a further appraisal, more than 200 acres of raspberries have been added this year. In other areas, raspberry acreage is increasing at the same rates.
As long as market conditions stay as they are today, everything will be good. The export market swallows up the largest part of our harvest and the rest of the market is divided here in Canada. This year, for example, we could have sold many more berries.
However when we take into account the growth in the berry acreage as outlined above and then look into the future, we would do well to move ahead with more planning. Each farmer would have to be more aware of the complete raspberry situation so that we don't make mistakes which we could have avoided.
It has also shown itself, that we in the Fraser Valley have very favourable climate and soil conditions for raspberries. The yield results are 5-8 and more tons per acre. We could call this Berry Land, just as there are Sugar Beet Lands, Vegetable Lands, and Watermelon Lands etc. At first glance, such a harvest seems large and everyone is asking who in all the world buys all the berries; and what will be come of it, if every year more and more berries are produced.
There is only one answer and solution. The whole berry production must be watched carefully and the sales must be in an organized, wise/prudent, controlled way. Steps must be taken to manage and fight the results of the raspberry cane disease in the right way; and also comply, to help stop the spread of very tiny worms in the berries through applications of the remedies that have been determined to prevent their spread. It should be our goal to have only first class products to bring to the markets. To advance the right way in this respect, all areas [that grow raspberries] should get together and establish an experimental station. Here the various applications could be tested, and new varieties of raspberries could be tried. Testing of fertilizers and manure applications in practical trials, as well as, to conduct other trials to help and be able to give advice to farmers.
Let us suppose, that in two years, BC would have approximately 10,000 Tons of berries to sell and one organization would underbid the other in the prices. How quickly would the buyers make good use of this situation, and oh dear, how disappointed would the farmer be then? Or, let us assume, for example, that the "Crate shipping" to the Prairies should get out of control. It would be a fiasco, so that all the berries would be bitter and sour to all of us. When we were in the Okanagan at the beginning of this year to get information in relation to this, an experienced official of the large fruit syndicate there, told us of the experiences they had had. It had come so far that a box apples didn't pay enough for a picker to pick the apples. All the farmers had to bear the total loss of their crop because of this. However, this was a lesson, an expensive lesson, and it woke them up and sobered all of them. Since then the apple production is flourishing and every farmer is happy with his apple tree(s). We want to learn from the mistakes of others. It is good when each farmer knows that he must contribute, so that we can pursue our berry farming in an orderly manner. Everything will be sold only through our organization. If a private buyer comes to a farmer, who perhaps offers a "better price" or promises , "cash", people with such good news should confidently be sent our office, where we would gladly close a good deal with them. So, always be cautious with such people who offer enticing prices who want to hurt our organization, their goal is to make a profit for themselves. We should be giving particular warnings about these signs, because we certainly must assume, that the more we [farmers] unite to protect ourselves, the more brazen the attacks from the outside will become. Each member should respect the authority of his organization much more and try with his best efforts to follow the respective instructions.
In order that the various small villages in marketing [of berries], not work against one another and perhaps even engage in competition, it is absolutely necessary, that we now need to have a representative sales agency. In this agency, each organization has their own representative, so that the interests all partners will be guaranteed in the same way. In this way it will also be possible for us to receive a more stable price for our berries.
We also don't know, if it will be possible for us to sell the larger bulk of our berries in barrels in the future. Suppose we assume the possibility that inquiries for S02 berries could have a strong decline. Against this possibility, the berries should be preserved in another form, perhaps by canning, as jam or by freezing; if we were asked for this today, they would find us completely unprepared. We would accuse ourselves, that we had not been watchful enough. It is no illusion, if today we tell ourselves, that united we could have an extensive berry production, where a large part of our harvest is filled into cans and frozen in boxes. If we take today's berry prices into consideration, there will hardly be a better opportunity for us to contribute a small part from our good income this year to secure future markets for our berries. And, the sooner we turn this idea into reality, the better. Unity makes us strong.
It would be of great interest to know, what people in the various small villages think about this [berry] business. Please put your thoughts on paper and send them to the writer of these lines.
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— — — The Chilliwack Progress, October 29, 1947 — — —
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New Private School Opens
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$150,000 Structure Has 320 Students
Sharon Mennonite Collegiate Institute — a $150,000 private school at Yarrow — opened its doors for the first time last week to 320 pupils from all over the Chilliwack area.
The institution, situated on an 11-acre site, is operating with 11 classrooms and workmen are completing the building while students carry on classroom in the completed sections.
Eleven teachers are employed. The principal is I. A. Dyck, formerly of Kitchener, Ontario.
Grades 7 to 13 are taught in the school and pupils are brought in four busses — one more is expected to arrive shortly — from Rosedale west.
Chief difference in the curriculum from public schools is:
(1) forty minutes of Bible study is given to every pupil every school day;
(2) German is taught as a foreign language instead of French
School spokesmen said that the range of courses was not as large as in larger schools , but in other respects the curriculum was the same.
The school, equipped with a forced draft ventilation system, has a coal stoker—hot water heating plant.
Modern Facilities
Individual chair type desks are in use. Blackboards are slanted outwards from
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the top down and overhead lights are placed so that glare will be eliminated.
All told, the school has 14 classrooms, two laboratories, a library, rooms for home economics and manual training in the basement and an assortment of miscellaneous rooms for such purposes as private music teaching, which can be taken at the pupil's own expense.
A 60 feet x 80 feet gym adjoins the main school plant. Basketball, volleyball, badminton and table tennis facilities will be available soon, it is hoped. A large balcony at one end of the cement floor will accommodate an estimated 300 people.
The large school grounds will provide room for a soccer pitch, softball and baseball diamonds.
Reverend John Harder heads a nine-man school board administering the school.
The school was financed by voluntary contributions from church members. Maintenance charges will be met by tuitional fees of about $100 yearly charged each pupil. No municipal or provincial tax money is received.
While students and teachers of Sharon Mennonite Collegiate Institute waited for the completion of their new school, they used the Elim Bible School buildings situated on the grounds of the Mennonite Brethren Church.
Three hundred and twenty students and 11 teachers perfomed the big moving job last week when they moved into the new facilities.
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Yarrow Voters' List: 1949
| Yarrow's Athletic Association Banquet — 1948/49 |
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"Prince", Cornie Sukau, Eddie Froese, Johnny Giesbrecht, Hank Froese, Johnny Hepting, Henry Hepting
Len Froese, Steve Szabo, ______, Doug Corbough, Fred Heinrichs, Pete Nightingale, Harry Fast
_______, ______, Fast
Names Courtesy of Johnny Giesbrecht
Photograph Courtesy of Arthur Siddall
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Clips From The Chilliwack Progress, January 14, 1948
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200-Acre Increase Mostly Raspberrys — Says Yarrow Co-op
Berry Total Up 40% This Year
A 40% increase in berry handlings this year is predicted by Yarrow Growers' Co-operative. Most of the increase, in keeping with last year's production, will be raspberries.
Figures released by C.H. Penner manager at Yarrow Co-op, show plantings this year are 200 acres more than the 1947 figure of 500.
Twenty-five hundred tons of rasps and 80 tons of strawberries were handled by the Yarrow plant last year. This season's total is expected to be well over the 3000 mark.
Some berry marketing officials have expressed fear of a surplus of raspberries if growers continue to increase acreages. With the UK contracts still uncertain, these officials feel the market will be flooded. Prices in that case would drop alarmingly, they point out
The market for SO2 fruit is contracting. In keeping with the US ban on processed fruit, Canadian jam manufacturers are expected to refuse to buy the treated variety in a year or two.
They have discovered the frozen and fresh berries make better jam than SO2 fruit.
On the other hand the frozen fruit market is promising. There appears to be a ready market in Canada and the United States.
Yarrow Co-op heads state contracts have been made with the U.S.A. for shipment of fresh fruit for freezing on the other side of the border.
But S02 processing will still be a major operation at least for another season. Mr. Penner reports 5000 barrels are now on hand for this year's operations.
He pointed out, however, that Yarrow would require a freezing plant "within one or two years anyway" if growers are to enter a competitive market. Because of extensions to plant facilities last year, Mr. Penner does not anticipate the increased acreage will necessitate further additions to the Yarrow plant.
Yarrow Group Buys Another Projectory Machine
The Yarrow Athletic Association has purchased another projection machine. This additional equipment makes it possible to - present uninterrupted programs and this fact should greatly improve the entertainment.
It is expected that this year will see the actual construction of a building. The association has acquired
assets to the amount of approximately $4000. The effort is particularly substantial because of the fact that
these assets represent the donations of a small, but energetic group of progressive young people. Activities have been carried on in the basement of the Yarrow public school with the permission of the school board. This is the only accommodation available at present. Particular care is being taken to look after the premises and no extra burden is put on the janitor staff of the school.
Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Derksen and family have returned from a vacation trip to Mexico. They visited friends and relatives and also looked over the place that was Mrs. Derksen's first home in the western hemisphere in Mexico.
Councillor J. H. Martens and School Trustee J.J. Wittenberg attended the evening service Sunday at the St. John's Anglican Church in Sardis. An invitation had been extended to members of civic bodies by the minister, the Rev. T.D. Somerville.
A large number of friends and relatives were guests at the home of Mr. & Mrs. D. Heinrichs, First St. Sunday. The occasion marked a birthday anniversary for Mrs. Heinrichs. Children of the guests alone numbered 25.
C.H. Penner, manager of the Yarrow Growers' Co-op is leaving for the interior where he expects to visit the Summerland Experimental farm and other industries relative to the canning and processing of fruits.
According to G.J. Reimer, manager of the packing plant, receipts of eggs have dropped considerably. Poultry is more plentiful and that part of the plant is operating daily.
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Clips From The Chilliwack Progress, February 25, 1948
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Still No Market for Rasps
"Look for New Incomes" Berry Growers Advised
One thousand families in Chilliwack district who derive: part or all of their livelihood from the berry industry were warned to look for other sources of income'' by a berry official here following indications - that markets will not be found for all of the record 12 to 11 million ton Fraser Valley
Crop expected this summer.
A meeting of B.C. Coast Grower's Association in Abbotsford Friday failed to produce any solution
for problems facing the $4,000,000 industry.
B.C. growers received a further blow when it was announced provincial and federal governments might cancel financial assistance for bringing prairie pickers here.
With drawing the assistance, which meant a $20,000 investment in 800 pickers brought last year, would place a heavy burden on growers an official explained.
In view of uncertain markets and probably resulting cuts in sales prices this summer, growers will not likely invest money to have laborers brought out to harvest a crop they aren't certain of selling, officials believe.
Last year government aid enabled pickers to come from the prairies at a cost of $15, return fare. This season, growers will likely have to make their own arrangements for bringing workers out at a reduced rate.
While Britain's failure to renew its 3000 ton berry contract with this country has caused berry officials considerable worry, it is explained that even if Britain could be persuaded to buy 5000 tons there would still be a surplus here.
The 5000 tons figure has been mentioned by some officials who are striving to renew British contracts, probably under some form of subsidy or credit involving the two governments.
Estimates place this season's expected surplus at 6000 tons, most of which will be Newberg or jam raspberries. It is reported a 1000 ton surplus from last year's crop has still to be marketed by Fraser Valley co-ops
STRAW SURPLUS POSSIBLE
While the present situation predicts a large raspberry surplus only, possibility of a similar glut on the strawberry market is very real.
Opening of British markets in 1942 turned the raspberry industry into "big business" It encouraged dairy and poultry farmers to plant considerable portions of their land in rasps.
The result was a glut on the market which has resulted in the present situation. While dairy and poultry farmers can plough up their berry patches and look to other sources for their income, the small farmer who has relied on berry growing for his income is faced with heavy loss and even unemployment.
If growers turn to strawberries, where the market is still good, the same surplus could be created and that market would likely be broken.
YARROW HARD HIT?
While most berry farmers in the district have other sources of income, estimates show over 250 families in the Yarrow area are wholly dependent on the berry industry for their livelihood.
J.C. Krause, president of Fraser Valley Co-operative Fruit Sales Federation, said the picture is not clear at this time.
"Very stressful" was the way Mr. Krause described his recent trip east, designed chiefly to meet prospective berry purchasers. He said deal for both jam and freezing quality berries had been made.
At a general meeting Saturday, Yarrow growers are expected to give considerable thought to market problems.
BETTER ACCOMMODATION
Announcement of the government policy on pickers' transportation costs was made by William McGillivray, provincial director of agricultural development and extension at Abbotsford Friday.
He said government finances would not permit further continuance of the bonus system. He warned growers they must provide better accommodation for laborers.
Two resolutions dealing with curtailment of berry production were defeated. One called for reduced usage of fertilizer, thus cutting down the yield. It was also pointed out growers could also save the $15 to $20 per acre expenditure for fertilizer.
Elected director for Chilliwack area was H. Thiessen. He replaces Gordon Billingsley. Others chosen were Al Foisy, Dewdney; George W. Taylor, Abbotsford; John Wiebe, Coghlan; Peter Van Velzen, Mission; and J.W. Little, Matsqui. Mr. Little was last year's president.
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Yarrow's Famous Softball Teams
Provincial Softball Champions - 1948
Knox Field, Wilson Road South |
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BR: George Derksen, Bernie Dyck, Pete "Happy" Wall, Henry "Tiny" Harder, Ernie "Nestor" Reimer, Jake "Brownie" Brown, Alex Fast
FR: Irwin "Wiener" Froese, Len "Leggy" Froese, John "Mex" Giesbrecht, George "Fuzzy" Enns, John "Vagy" Martens
Mary Froese & Cactus in the Announcer's Booth; Photograph: Hank "The Barber" Giesbrecht
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| Provincial Softball Champions - 1951 |
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BR: Eddy Froese, John Dahl, Pete "6" Ratzlaff, Jake Wiebe, Hank Ratzlaff, Pete "7" Ratzlaff, Ernie Bergmann, Spike Klassen
FR: Rusty Bergmann, Hank "Crow" Martens, Irwin "Sally" Harder, Elmer "Slim" Neufeldt, Fred Adrian, Allan Wilkie
Photograph: Hank "The Barber" Giesbrecht
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— — — The Chilliwack Progress, January 10, 1951 — — —
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Mennonite Group Aids New Citizens
"Canadadian citizenship is a privilege, not a demand."
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The above sentence is the byword of a unique project in citizenship taking place at Yarrow.
Sponsored by the provincial Mennonite Relief Committee, whose secretary, A. A. Wiens of Yarrow, is taking a leading role, literally scores of Europeans of German and Russian background who arrived here since the war are learning how to become Canadians.
Although the project only began in December, Mr. Wiens says that already almost 60 per cent of the 600 people in British Columbia under the wing of the Mennonite organizations have filed applications of citizenship.
"They want to become Canadians," says Mr. Wiens, who conducts an office for the purpose at Yarrow. "That's why they cam to Canada. We felt that we should help them out."
Of the 600 in the province, some 150 are in the Yarrow district and Mr. Wiens says that the percentage of applications has kept pace with that in other parts of the province.
The newcomers, practically all of whom have arrived since 1947, are busy adjusting their lives to their new country and orienting themselves to its customs. Aware of their difficulties, which include the barrier of language, the relief committee formed the idea of assisting them in getting acquainted with the modes of living in Canada and, at the same time, impress upon them the new responsibilities they would be called upon to assume.
The venture has the blessing of the federal department of citizenship, because it is an organized, voluntary program aimed at making the immigrants into Canadians.
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"The matter of language is important," said Mr. Wiens. "I would like to see the study of languages more intensively directed by the school authorities. The night classes are doing a great deal of good, but in a community like this, where German is spoken by the older residents, we have an added difficulty for the new comers. If they were in places where English is spoken continuously, they would have to learn it quickly. Here, they can, and are inclined to, speak their own language all the time."
Preparation for the project was completed last November, and the actual program got under way in December. Chairman of the provincial Mennonite Relief Committee is Rev. A. A. Toews, of Abbotsford. H. M. Epp of Mr. Lehman is vice-president; and Mr Wiens is secretary-treasurer, and P. A. Klassen of Vancouver and J. C. Krause of Yarrow, are members.
The work cuts across church-lines, in that committee membership is drawn from both the Mennonite Brethren and the United Mennonite churches.
While interest on the part of the newcomers is keen, the project also is having repercussions among the longer-established people.
"There are quite a number of people who have been here for years and whose citizenship was obtained by their parents." said Mr. Wiens. "Many of these are taking out their own citizenship papers. It's not because they aren't citizens. It's because their proof of citizenship is contained in their parents' papers and they wish to have proof of their own citizenship."
In the last month, approximately 100 such applications for citizenship papers have been made.
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— — — The Chilliwack Progress, Thursday, May 21, 1953 — — —
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Yarrow Marks 25th Birthday Anniversary
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Village Anniversary
Yarrow people will celebrate the 25th anniversary of founding of their village on Wednesday.
The quarter-century observance will be marked by a day-long program which will highlight historic, social and religious aspects of the thriving Mennonite community.
Pioneers will recall the village's beginning in 1928, when the late C. Eckert advertised for Mennonite settlers to come to a land of promise. They came from all parts of Canada and later, from Europe.
Speakers will tell of its fluctuating prosperity which has been accompanied by a steady growth resulting from hard and persistent work.
Resident of other parts of the valley will be welcomed to the anniversary and special invitations have been sent out to more than 100 district people in official and semi-official positions.
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At School Grounds
Site of the anniversary will be grounds of the new Yarrow elementary-junior high school, the former Sharon Mennonite Educational Institute. It will start at 10 a.m. and continue until 2 p.m. when there will be a luncheon.
The afternoon will be given over to sports and a concert by the Chilliwack senior band.
In the evening, there will be a concert by the Walter Neufeldt string orchestra and moving picture showing.
The Yarrow Waterworks Board, which is in charge of the program, is still working out details of the program. Chairman will be H. H. Goossen and speakers will include Reverend Hermann Lenzmann, and Reverend John Klassen of Yarrow.
W. Lyle Macken, Chilliwack, will be guest speaker.
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1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
The Vedder Canal Hosts the Rowing Events
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Canadians Bobby Williams in single sculls, and
Donald Guest & Lawrence Stephan in double sculls win bronze medals.
Canada wins the gold medal in eights rowing.
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The Vancouver Province, Thursday, August 5, 1954
Canadian Rowers Sink Mighty England |
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Ken Drummond, Doug McDonald, Captain Tom Toynbee, Mike Harris, Laurie West (partly hidden), Glen Smith, Herman Zloklovits, Phil Kueber, Bob Wilson
Coach Frank Read, Centre, Coxswain Ray Sierpina squatting in front
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UBC's 'Green Kids' In Rowing Triumph
Great Thames Crew Defeated in Empire Games Upset
by ROSS MUNRO
A crew of courgeous undergrads from the University of British Columbia, where rowing is a minor sport, has soundly trounced the finest eight England can put on the water.
It is a good thing there's been Everest and Bannister's miracle mile, for the Canadian rowing eight, in the biggest upset of the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, shook a citadel of English sportdom when it finished the 2000-metre course 2 1/2 lengths ahead of the Old Country shell.
Canadians Finish Smoothly
The crowd of 10,000 lining the Vedder Canal for the rowing finals Wednesday was so stunned by the fantastic efforts of the UBC lads that they nearly forgot to cheer.
The crack English crew from the Thames Rowing Club, which had been defeated by only a half a length at Henley by a Russian crew that is now the favorite for the eights at the 1956 Olympics, had been heralded to win this one in a breeze against the tyro college team, the only other entry.
But the Canadians, after a faltering start when they caught two crabs in the first five strokes that nearly brought their weaving shell to a stop, caught up with the Englishmen at the 500-metre mark and pushed ahead from then on.
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England Seems Safe Winner
They finsihed smoothly with the excited Canadian coxswain, Ray Sierpina, spraying water on his crew as they crossed the finish line for a victory that marks the UBC team as a strong contender in the 1956 Olympics, if it can be held together and given facilities for training it needs.
Watching his first B.E.G. event, the Duke of Edinburgh was sitting in the stand at the finish line, along with External Affairs Minister L.B. Pearson and Defence Minister Campney.
Dr. Norman MacKenzie, president of the UBC, beaming like a freshman, rushed to the float to great his students when they finished and enthusiastically grabbed Coach Frank Reid by the hand. "A great effort; a great effort," he said. "We are very proud of you all."
Why did the UBC eight win the big rowing event?
The boys in the crew gave two reasons: the wonderful coaching of Frank Reid, a great sportsman; and the fact that nobody could have trained harder than they did.
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More than 10,000 spectators lined the banks of the Vedder River Canal to see Canada's greatest victory in the British Empire and Commonwealth Games.
They cheered long and loud for the victorious University of British Columbia crew.
Also watching from the royal box was the Duke of Edinburgh.
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