Okanagan Explosion: Agriculture
By: Emma Gartly
Early agriculture in the Okanagan Valley
The commercial orchard industry in the Okanagan Valley began just over a hundred years ago. Lord and Lady Aberdeen were the first to plant fruit trees in the Okanagan. The majority of British Columbia's fruit trees are located in the Okanagan. The Okanagan has very fertile soil and long growing seasons, perfect for orchards and farms. The first commercial planting of grapes were made around Kelowna in 1926. in the 1960's and 70's they began to focus on the wine industry. Between 2011 and 2013 the province produced over 80% of Canada's apricots and cherries, over 40% of pears and plums and over 20% of Canada's apples, nectarines and peaches. The Okanagan is the most important agricultural region in British Columbia, primary crop being fruit trees.
Importance to the growth of the Okanagan Valley
Agriculture was very important to the growth of the Okanagan Valley. The orchard industry began when land speculators started purchasing ranch land and dividing them into orchard plots. Many places started in the orchard bussiness. By the late 1800's and early 1900's new commentates became involved in the orchard industry including Peachland, Summerland, and Naramata. By 1914 in Summerland the began a research station began trials for fruit varieties and growing practices best suited for the land. By the late 1960's Okanagan producers began to focus on the wine industry. Between 1991 and 2006 they saw a 346% increase in land devoted to the wine grape production. Both fruit trees and wine grapes remain important contributors to the okanagan community today, not just as direct sales but also important to our tourism.
Role of the Okanagan Fur Bigade trail
The Okanagan Fur Brigade trail is huge to the growth and development of the Okanagan Valley. The Fur Brigade was founded by David Stuart. The trail was connected from Vancouver to the Shuswap/Kamloops. It was used by many people for trading and transporting. To be able to plant the fruit trees in the Okanagan they needed seeds, they used the Fur brigade as there way to get to the Okanagan. They originally came to the Okanagan to feed the hungry gold miners. The Brigade trail was used for them to transport out all their goods and bring in seeds to be able to plant more.
Early European Profile - Lord and Lady Aberdeen
Early History
John Hamilton Gordon (Lord Aberdeen) was born in Edinburgh. His dad was the 5th Earl of Aberdeen. In 1877 he married Ishbel Maria Marjoribanks, also known as Lady Aberdeen. They had 5 children George, Marjorie Adeline, Dorothea, Dudley Gladstone, and Archibald Ian. In 1890 Lord Aberdeen and his wife purchased 480 aces of land (The Guisachan Ranch) near the Okanagan mission, while touring through Canada. They bought the Coldstream Ranch in 189. They never visited the Coldstream Ranch until 1894.
Reasons for settlement
The land they bought while touring through Canada was intended for Lady Aberdeen's brother, Guisachan. They had visited several times before during their cross-Canada tour of 1890. Most people came to the Okanagan because they heard of all the hungry gold miners and new there was money to be made. The Okanagan had fertile soil and favourable growing seasons. Easy farmers became wealthy settlers.
Early Accomplishments in Europe
Lady Aberdeen was very involved in society and was very helping of girls in need. She had many foundations. Lady Aberdeen held a household club that held classes for servants to learn singing, carving, reading and other activities. Lord and Lady Aberdeen funded a local school and hospital. Lady Aberdeen supported healthcare. She established the Onwards and Upwards association. It provided servant girls with courses on many topics from geography to literature to domestic science. In 1883 she became the first president of the Ladies union of Aberdeen, which helped young women living in cities. She was also the head of the Women's Liberal Foundation. Back in Europe of 1870 Lord Aberdeen was a liberal and a member of the House of Lords.
Early Accomplishments in North America
Lord Aberdeen was appointed Governor of Canada in 1893, and held it for 5 years. Lady Aberdeen was the first president of the International Council of Women, a campaign for women's rights. During her time in Canada Lady Aberdeen organized the National Council of Women of Canada and travelled the country establishing local branches. Lady Aberdeen also helped establish the Victorian Order of Nurses, it helped women receive better training and a higher salary so they could provide services to the rural and disadvantaged populations. Lord and Lady Aberdeen were the first to plant fruit trees in the Okanagan.
Legacy Today
Lord Aberdeen died in 1934, following his wife who later died in 1939. The Aberdeen's had many things named after them. Lady Aberdeen had a bridge named after called the Lady Aberdeen Bridge. The Lady Aberdeen bridge was the first bridge upstream to cross the Gatineau River. The Aberdeen's have two streets named after them, Both are named Aberdeen Avenue. One is in Ontario the other is in Toronto. They also have a steamship named after them called the SS Aberdeen. The SS Aberdeen was the first steamship on Okanagan Lake.
Interesting Facts
~ The Okanagan Valley is the second largest Canadian wine region, the okanagan accounts for more then 90% of all wine produced in BC
~The first vineyard planted in the Okanagan was at the Oblate Mission in 1859 by Charles Pandosy
What was the impact of the early Europeans on the growth and development of the Okanagan Valley?
Lord and Lady Aberdeen had a huge impact on the growth and development of the Okanagan Valley. The Aberdeen's were the first to plant fruit trees in the Okanagan. The Okanagan has fertile soil and long growing seasons, perfect for orchards and farms. The Aberdeen's bought 480 acres of land in 1890. In 1892 they planted fruit trees on 2 of their 100 acre lots. They grew many different fruits like apricots, peaches, apples, crabapples, prunes, cherries, plums, raspberry canes, and strawberries. The Aberdeen's grew the Coldstream Ranch (they named it Guisachan) into one of the largest producers of fruit in the British Empire. Other commercial growers began planting large orchards, following the Aberdeen's footsteps.
Aberdeen family
This is a picture of the Aberdeen family. This picture includes Lord Aberdeen, Lady Aberdeen and their five children, George, Marjorie Adeline, Dorothea, Dudley Gladstone, and Archibald Ian.
Coldstream Ranch
This is a picture of the Coldstream Ranch today. The red point shows where the Coldstream Ranch is still today. The Coldstream Ranch was one of their big orchards that they originally started growing on.
Guisachan Village Centre
This is a picture of The Guisachan Village Centre. This is on of the many places named after the Aberdeen family. The Guisachan Village Centre is where the Guisachan ranch used to be.