The Aldergrove Agricultural Association presented the Centennial Trophy for Aldergrove’s Farmer of the Year to Ellen Rippingale, granddaughter of the late Jesse Throssell, at the 101st annual Aldergrove Fair.
The award was presented by Mike Robinson (representing the Aldergrove Agricultural Association and Aldergrove Fair Days), on left of photo, and Michel Benoit (General Manager & Marketing, BC Turkey Marketing Board), on right.
Englishmen Jesse Throssell, his wife Mabel and their four children settled on a farm on Hawes Road in Aldergrove. in 1926.
His brother Fred and Fred’s wife Eleanor, and their five children settled on a farm on 264 Street in 1928, and Fred also worked on turkey breeding.
The development of the modern Broad Breasted Bronze turkey breed is credited to Jesse Throssel. He had been selecting turkeys for hatch-ability and meat production for many years while working on his father’s farm in England.
After arriving in Canada in 1926 Jesse decided to import birds of his own breeding in 1927. His hatchery in Aldergrove, B.C. was successful and ultimately he sent some of his birds to Oregon and California where they were they met with great favour.
This was the true beginning of the modern turkey industry, and it all started here in Aldergrove.