HISTORY: Community Topics | CATTLE RAISING AND FARMING

<-- Cyrill Weddell Haying 1924

The first work that attracted people to Joe Rich was trapping, but almost the first that brought permanent settlers was cattle ranching. The Prestons raised cattle and after they sold out to Cyril Weddell and Duncan Stewart, both of them raised cattle. Lee Brown had some cattle, and most of the early settlers had at least one dairy cow for milk and butter. Demitors, John Martin and others have continued raising cattle.

Jim, Stuart & Pat Weddell in the oats 1931 -->

Many residents have kept just a few cattle to get farm status for their property. Joe Rich has never been as good a hay growing area as the bottom of the Okanagan Valley so that usually only one crop of hay has been taken off each summer. However, Joe Rich does provide easier access for ranchers to drive their cattle to summer range.

<-- Cyril Weddell's lettuce 1935

At present Cam Weddell runs the largest beef herd with about 150 head. Ebony Star Ranch owned by Bob Murphy (who also owns Serta Mattress Co.) and operated by Kelly Macmillan runs the largest number of horses with approximately 100 animals here and more elsewhere. Russells have approximately twenty Morgan Horses.

Margaret, Jim & Stuart in Weddell's lettuce 1938 -->

Years ago in the 1940s to 1960s, Cyril Weddell and then several other Joe Richers grew lettuce and turnips commercially.

<--- Haying 1948

At first, this was a good business, but as production increased the selling price dropped faster than the cost of production. Eventually, it proved to be hard work for very little return and the Joe Richers dropped the vegetable business.

Looking from Stewart's to Weddell's 1950 -->

Perhaps the marijuana business is now Joe Rich’s most lucrative cash crop at times. From time to time “Grow ops” are discovered here, the slap-on-the-wrist fines are levied and the plants destroyed by the police, only to spring up again at another site.

<--- Joe Rich turnips 1950

Mr. Hockey's first sprinklers in Joe Rich 1955 -->

<--- Best Farm Land in Joe Rich 1988