I was born and raised on a farm in Ladner to my parents Perry and Angela and have a younger brother Jordan. There must be something about the area because we have moved three times, but always on the same street! My elementary education was at Delta Christian School and then Richmond Christian for my high school years. After graduation, I completed an agricultural degree at the University of the Fraser Valley, and took a few food and ice cream courses at BCIT and the University of Guelph. Through the University of the Fraser Valley, I was connected to a local goat farm for work experience. I learned how to milk goats, make cheese and other products from the goat milk, and then sell these products at their store located right on the farm. I really enjoyed being able to see the product through from start to finish and I hope to do the same on our family farm in the near future. Currently, I am working on our family dairy farm.

There are many things that I love in this world - most of them related to cows. Since I was quite young, I’ve been very competitive in showing purebred cows; first in 4-H, then through provincial competitions, and in the past few years I have gone as far as Madison, Wisconsin for a show. All this has given me more opportunities than I can count, and I’ve been blessed to meet some incredible people in the industry from around the world, including my boyfriend Kenny (originally from Ontario) whom I met at a show in Alberta a few years ago. Over the last three years, I’ve been on a committee representing young dairy farmers in the Lower Mainland and serving as chairperson last year. This gave me the opportunity to represent our industry at Lobby Week on Parliament Hill—another great experience.

Aside from cows, I LOVE spending time with family and friends. Travelling to new places is always on my list of things to do (when we can again, that is!) as well as taking advantage of the hiking trails on our local mountains. I also enjoy cooking, home design, and anything DIY! Growing up, if the TV was on, it was always recording something on HGTV, such as Love It or List It or Property Brothers! Lastly, I make A LOT of ice cream, with hopes of starting a business in the near future (if you would like to be my guinea pig, please let me know!).

I was baptized as an infant at Ladner CRC. My earliest memory is playing the field games at the church picnic—always a big hit! Or running up to Mrs. Vandop who would be sitting in the back pew before church and being given a couple candies. Growing up in the church, we went to youth group regularly. Some of my favorite memories are of our trips to Keats Island with Jed and Elly Schoepp, then later to Mayne Island with the young adults group. In the past, I have helped with Sunday School and with Friendship Coffee House. You may recognize me from being a vocalist with the worship team the odd Sunday as well.

For me, the most challenging thing about being a Christian today is to get motivated to talk to people about God. I find that COVID-19 is used as an excuse for a lot of things lately and it has created an easy “out” to just stay home. There are so many needs in our community right now and maybe this is a better time than ever to go out and show God’s love rather than just talking about it.

My favourite Bible passage is 1 Peter 4: 8-11

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.