Southlands In The ALR

Since the Southlands have been under constant development pressure since 1971, it is hard to get a clear picture of the capability of the land. We know that a successful dairy operation was in place on the land until 1995, but what about the growing of crops?

In 1968 the Spetifore family wrote down a brief history of their family's farming activities in the delta to that date. In addition to telling the story of the Spetifore family's arrival to Tsawwassen and the clearing of their farm, the document also outlines the farm's total production for the year of 1968, "the best year we ever had" in the words of the author.

In the crop year of 1968, the Spetifore farm, also known as Triple S Farms, produced:

• 500 ton of strawberries
• 500 ton early potatoes
• 150 ton second early potatoes
• 150 ton late potatoes
• 600 ton freezer peas
• 175 ton pumpkins
• 125 ton squash
• 125 ton beans
• 12,000 cases of corn (5 doz. per case)
• 3,600 dozen cucumbers
• 3,000 cases cauliflower
• 50 ton sugar beet seed.

Click here to read the neumerous scientific reports affirming the good quality of the land.

Click here to read the Spetifore farming history.

"Early Seeding Record Set For Boundary Bay," The Ladner Optimist, March, 1953

"Farm And Ranch," The Province, June 5, 1953

"Triple S Farms Bring Home Awards From PNE, Oregon," The Optimist, October 24, 1962

"High Prices Paid At Spetifore Jersey Sale," The Optimist, November 10, 1965

"Early Potatoes Planted In Sunny South Delta," The Optimist, March 16, 1966

"Fruit Stand," The Optimist, May 4, 1966

"Pea Harvesting," The Optimist, July 13, 1966

"Strawberry Harvest," The Optimist, June 26, 1968

"Strawberry Picker," The Optimist, June 25, 1969

"Loading Corn," The Optimist, August 20, 1969

"Spetifore's New Spud System," The Optimist, September 11, 1974

Click here to sign an online petition requesting inclusion of the Southlands in the ALR.