A barn tour has been suggested for the 2015 summer season as a celebration of the centennial of the Rock Creek Farmers’ Institute. The organization turned 100 in 2014. They held a meeting immediately following the Kettle Valley Stockman’s Association at the Rock Creek fairgrounds pavilion on Nov. 20.
It was agreed to extend the term of office for the executive until February or March of next year. Dwayne Harfman is president, Art Harfman the vice-president, and the secretary-treasurer is Ed Fossen. Directors are Wayne Kline, Jim Anderson, Pat Campbell, Lisa Fillmore and Frank Van Oyen.
The original documents registering the organization under the Societies Act were on display at the meeting. It reads that “… the objects now are:
a) To improve conditions of rural life, so the settlement may be permanent and prosperous.
b) To promote the theory and practice of agriculture by lectures, essays, the circulation of information, and other educational methods, and to stimulate interest by exhibitions, prizes and other means;
c) To arrange on behalf of its’ members for the purchase, distribution or sale of commodities, supplies or products, and generally to act on their behalf in all matters incidental to agricultural pursuits,
d) To promote social intercourse, mutual help and the diffusion of knowledge, and to make new settlers welcome.”
“We have inherited a big chunk of history of our area,” said Pat Campbell of the archived records. “We are all here because of these people.”