Pritchard is rich with agricultural history and tradition, and Turner Ranch is one of the oldest.
On behalf of Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick, Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone presented Turner Ranch owners, Harold, Shirley, Cody and Tamara Turner, with a Century Farm Award. The award recognizes the family-run farm for over a century of contribution to the provincial economy and British Columbia’s agricultural history.
When George William (Bill) Turner immigrated to Canada from England, he homesteaded the ranch land and was granted the land by the government in February 1913. He worked the land with his brother Thomas and his family.
Thomas’ son, John Thomas (Jack) Turner, after serving in the Second World War, returned home to Duck Range and purchased the land from his uncle Bill. Jack formed a partnership with his brother Ted, and worked the land until his death in 1976. Jack’s wife Audrey and her family farmed with Ted until his death in 1985. Audrey and her son Harold continued to carry on the Turner family’s ranching tradition.
In 1988, Harold married Shirley. They had two children, Cody and Tamara, both having a keen interest in agriculture. In 1995, they formed the company, Turner Ranch Ltd. Today, Harold and Shirley, along with Cody, raise cattle and grow hay, continuing to contribute to the economic community and keeping the Turner name active in the agricultural industry.