Krause Berry Farms, located on 200 acres of Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) on 248 Street just south of Highway 1, first opened in 1974 when Alf Krause planted just one-acre of strawberries.
Raised by his parents on the family poultry farm, Alf decided that poultry farming wasn't for him.
With his brother's help, Alf began planting strawberries for the first couple years before expanding to other crops in 1977.
"We also drilled a well and hit water, which allowed us to grow whatever we want," Alf recalled. "We were able to start doing a lot more crop rotation, and vegetables and other berries."
By 1979, the brothers were growing strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, and brussel sprouts, among many other crops.
Crops were seasonal until the early 2000s, when the Krause brothers started producing year-round produce.
"We grow two types of strawberries – June-bearing and everbearing – so we can have fresh products as long as possible," Alf explained.
When he started the farm 50 years ago, Alf admits he never saw it growing into what it is today.
"When I started, it was a summer job," he shared.
"When the strawberries went to sleep for winter, I went to university in between. After the berry life cycle – three or four years for strawberries – we needed to look at the future, and got more into agriculture then."
About 25 years into the business, Alf and Sandee met, married, and she became heavily involved in the farm.
"Alf enjoys getting out into the fields on his tractor to see the crops up close," Sandee commented.
But when Sandee joined, she enjoyed baking pies and making jams starting as early as 5 a.m.
"I started making pies [early on] and people were very receptive to it. So it became a place for people to pick their berries and then sit down for pie – it became an experience," she explained.
Then the husband and wife team decided to open the farm to everyone, and build the market, winery, waffle bar, and a u-pick flower garden.
To commemorate the farm's 50th year, Sandee also released her cookbook, which honours her late son Tanner.
"I thought if I could make something that would be a combination of what came before me and then what goes through me (the farm), that could inspire others about what goes through their kitchen, I'm all for that."
The book took about eight years to put together, between the writing, photography, and grieving the loss of Tanner. Its release time for 2024 was a happy coincidence.
"We have a lot of farm recipes, and then there's a lot of my own personal recipes from my mother and grandparents," Sandee said.
She encourages readers of her cookbook to be creative with her recipes, and even suggested making mini cookies as checker pieces like she does with her granddaughters.
The Krauses hope the farm will be around for another 50 years – or at least another 10 – as they continue to provide berries, vegetables, pies, and waffles year-round to the community.
"Community support has been vital to us," Alf noted.
"It feels good to reach 50 years," Sandee said.