Hiway16 Magazine... about people and places in north-central British Columbia, Canada

PAGE ONE
OF THREE

The Keegstra's Garden of Plenty

by Debi Smith (Osborne)

Theresa and Gerrit Keegstra never dreamed that one day they would become the major supplier of bedding plants to the Bulkley Valley.

Theresa, Houston Grad of '82, became engaged to Gerrit, an immigrant from Holland, while both attended college in Calgary, Alberta. Gerrit's father decided to visit the perspective new in-laws and while in the area, was taken by Theresa's father to visit a friend. That friend was Bill Vriend.

The Keegstra "Kaboodle" of Kids

Bill owned riverside acreage in Houston, and had two greenhouses. He also had the place up for sale, which sparked an idea in the two Dads and so, in 1985, Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Keegstra became proud business owners. As the land borders the Bulkley River, they named themselves Riverside Gardens.

After two years of trial and error, they began expanding to eventually bring the operation up to 6 greenhouses. "You've got to start small, learn as you go along and don't get overwhelmed," says Theresa, with her ever present smile.

It's nine in the morning and the baby of four daughters tugs at her pant leg. "Up, Mommy," while an older sibling jumps up, exclaiming, "there's the first customer." Two vehicles have pulled into the parking lot. "Don't forget the cash drawer," reminds Theresa, as she scoops the youngest girl up and onto her hip.

Gerrit in the greenhouse. It has since been expanded at the far end.

Theresa is used to doing many things at once, something that comes from raising four children while juggling up to 15 staff between February and July.

Gerrit stays busy either at the greenhouses or tending to the other business of raising cattle on their property. Either way, he is at home with his family, which you can see is important to all of them.






copyright © 2001, Northwest Design, Smithers, B.C., Canada