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Surrey Agriculture Leadership Award

The Surrey Agriculture Leadership Award recognizes outstanding achievements that have made a positive impact to Surrey’s agriculture industry.

Nominations

2019 Nomination Form

Nomination deadline: Friday, October 18, 2019

Award Criteria

  • Nominees can be individuals, companies, institutions, not-for profit organizations, agencies, projects or programs.
  • Achievements must be recognizable and be supported by evidence.
  • Must be based in Surrey.

Award Categories

  • Individual
  • Business

Submission

Please submit your nomination to:

Rhona Doria
101-14439 104 Avenue
Surrey, BC V3R 1M1
rhona@businessinsurrey.com
T: 604.634.0344
F: 604.588.7549

2018 Winner

Heppell’s Potato Corp.

Heppell’s Potato Corp. is a 3rd generation farm that was pioneered by Lester Heppell almost 100 years ago. Back then, it was a mixed farm whose main focus are vegetables, dairy cows and turkeys based on 40 acres land where the farm still sits today. In the early 60’s Lester’s two sons, Ron and Dave, took over the family farm and started to modernize it. Working with a long -time business partner, Peter Schouten, the predecessor’s motto “there is always a better way” has become their driving force and paved the way for new agriculture innovations. Fast forward to today, Heppell’s Potato Corp. has leveraged new technologies to make farming and processing more efficient, among these are: the use of GPS mapping technology and self-guided tractors, use of real-time data for all crops to ensure food safety and overall farm efficiency Indeed, they continue to always find a better way!

2017 Winners

Individual : Michael J. Bose

Michael Bose has grown up in a family with a long farming tradition in Surrey. He has not only demonstrated excellence as a successful farmer and entrepreneur but also distinguished himself by his outstanding dedication for Surrey’s agriculture and the protection of agricultural land. He is an agricultural representative on a variety of community committees, represented Surrey on Metro Vancouver’s land inventory and taxation committee and is a member of the Surrey Agriculture and Food Security Advisory Committee since 1995 to 2013. He has also worked as a Commissioner for the Agricultural Land Commission.

Business: Zaklan Heritage Farm

Zaklan Heritage Farm has a rich and long heritage of farming in Surrey that few can match. It started in 1920’s and has undergone revitalization led by the next generation of Zaklans. With ample support from family, the farm has transformed into a diverse mixed vegetables and livestock operation. Despite significant pressure from urban sprawl and housing development, the farm has remained true to itself and continued to produce local, healthy produce even while now totally surrounded by housing real estate. It is a clear winner against the threats of our ever-increasing population growth and pressures on land values.