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Organic Growing in the Similkameen
Harker’s Organics of Cawston began 20 years ago, long before organic growing became the burgeoning industry it is today.
“We had purchased the farm in 1975, but we didn’t go organic right away,” said Kathy Harker. “In those years, Bruce and I had a young family, and we found he was spraying constantly, around the clock. We began to feel it was way too much.”
It was the Harker’s neighbours who pioneered organic growing in the Similkameen, and within a few years the Harker’s were following their example.
“It is a far more labour intensive method of farming,” Kathy related, “and it requires more hired help.”
Kathy feels the results are definitely worth the extra cost and effort, however.
“We can feel good about sending people to the orchard to pick their own fruit,” she said. “And there are no worries about pesticide use or letting the kids run around.”
The Harker’s also raise their own animals for food, using organic methods.
Most recently, the Harker’s have developed a fruit winery as part of their business, producing organic cherry and apple pear wines. The cherry wine was a recent award winner at a fruit wine competition.
“The market is changing,” Kathy commented. “Education is changing attitudes towards organic food, with more stores featuring organically grown food.”
The Harker’s believe in the benefits of the “100 mile diet”, and sell locally through their fruit stand as well as supplying Home Delivery food service in Kelowna. They also supply organic stores in Penticton.
The business operates as a family affair with Kathy and Bruce Harker, their children Jason, Troy and Sara, and foreman Robert Slade.
