Early in 2012, Peartome Holsteins of Haldimand County, Ontario, joined the ranks of an elite few when it received its third Master Breeder shield from Holstein Canada.

The Elgersma family arrived in British Columbia by a circuitous route. Alice was born in Holland, then moved to Brazil, where she met her husband, Charlie Elgersma.

Albert and Alyson Wolfe immigrated to Canada 16 years ago from the Republic of Ireland.

At home, they had a small dairy herd of about 30 cows but were unable to expand due to prohibitive costs.

“I always knew I would be farming in some way, shape or form ... preferably dairy,” Erin Anderson states.

Anderson grew up on a dairy farm and went on to earn a degree in agricultural sciences from the University of British Columbia.

As you look around from the front door of the store, you are struck by the uncluttered peacefulness of the scene.

The Borst family lives near Elm Creek, Manitoba, about 60 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg, where they operate Halarda Farms.

Parents Hans and Dini are now semi-retired, but still very much a part of the family dairy operation.