Tucked inside Ruckle Provincial Park remains 200 acres of the Province s oldest working farm still held by the original family in lifetime tenure. Since 1974 the surrounding 1000 acres has public access after being deeded to the Province of British Columbia as parkland with camping & trails bordered by 7 km of shoreline.

One of Salt Spring Island s earliest settlers, Henry Ruckle came to the island in 1872 in hopes of acquiring farmland. By 1948 the family s total holding was 1196 acres.

Ruckle Farm was a big operation in it s heyday. At one time it s full production included an orchard of more than 600 apple and pear trees, and about 40 nut trees. The family raised sheep, cattle, hogs, turkeys, chickens, and pheasants. The farm produced hay, potatoes, wheat, oats, barley, field peas & root crops.

Salt Spring Island was a major contributor to BC s Agricultural Community from the late 1800 s and therefore their thriving orchard felt the impact of the arrival of irrigation to the Okanogan Valley in the 1930 s. The Ruckles stayed on through this decline in Salt Spring Island s farming, and for a time ran a dairy selling milk & cream.

The current farm manager Mike Lane has been involved with Ruckle Farm since 1990. Mike & wife Marjorie endeavor to maintain a working farm as the Ruckles had with sheep, cows, turkeys, chickens & hay. They also work a large market garden and continue sales through their farm stand just as Gwen Ruckle did in the past.

Henry and Gordon Ruckle s legacy lives on in this magnificent farmland. This Heritage should never be lost. May this Pioneer land always remain a working farm in keeping with Gordon Ruckle s wishes, and with respect to this family who Has given us all such a jewel to enjoy! This gift attests to the enduring spirit of the Ruckle Family. As Henry s son Gordon Ruckle once said, You can t own land, you can only preserve it for future generations.