History

1959 George Covert, part owner of Hayman & Covert Tomato Packing Company in Tracy, California first heard of the Okanagan while talking to his broker in Calgary, who mentioned a truck load of apricots from Oliver, BC. Tired of the rat race in California, and intrigued by a climate suitable to grow soft fruit and vegetables in Canada, George came to the Okanagan Valley to see for himself. On a weekend trip in the dead of winter he discovered and purchased the undeveloped mesa North of Oliver, that was to become Covert Farms.

In 1961 having sold his partnership in the packing company, George brought his wife Winnifred, and their 2 sons Calvin and Michael to Oliver to start their new Canadian life and Covert Farms. Calvin managed their cattle ranch on Richter Pass in Osoyoos (now owned by Ace Elkink), while Mike helped George in the vegetable business. Winnifred, kept the books and sold produce out of the window of the old office.

 

The crops that were farmed in those days are not much different then it is now. Growing large acreages of tomatoes, onion, potatoes, corn and grapes, while struggling to find enough labour and equipment, and being dependant on the whims of the weather.

Today Covert Farms is still one of the leaders in quality fruit and vegetable production in the Okanagan. We are a major shipper of fresh field tomatoes, sweet onions, sweet corn, muskmelons and table grapes. We still supply fruit stands, truckers and major wholesalers in western Canada as well as continuing our tradition of offering the freshest produce to the retail public. Our goal is to continue providing the highest quality of fruits and vegetables to the public and to promote and support a healthy community and agri-tourism in the South Okanagan.

Over 45 years of history brings a fair bit of change to Covert Farms, if you’d like to read the history in greater detail just click here to download the pdf file that also includes photos.