Hillberry Farms Ltd. is a cranberry farm located in Richmond, with deep roots in the local farming community. The farm has been passed down through generations, with current owner Alicia Hill representing the fourth generation to steward the same land first planted by her grandfather in the 1960s.

As the cranberry industry continues to evolve, Hillberry Farms made the decision to renew their existing fields. “Although the field has had great success, the industry is getting stronger and bigger and if we wanted to continue to hand down these farms for generations, this was our only option,” said Hill. To remain viable and ensure the farm could continue to be passed down to future generations, significant renewal was required.

Hillberry Farms applied to Stream 4: Berry Removal/Renewal of the Enhanced Replant Program and was approved to renew 11 acres of cranberry fields. The project involved the removal of the Bergman variety to make way for renewed production and improved long‑term performance.

“My father handed the farm down to his children in 2018, and we’ve been farming on our own since. This grant truly helped us be able to continue farming. We would not have been able to complete this project without help. We are so grateful that there are organizations that understand how challenging farming can be.”

Alicia Hill

The renewal of these cranberry fields marks an important step for Hillberry Farms as the next generation takes full ownership of the operation. By investing in renewal today, the farm is laying the groundwork for continued productivity, adaptability and family succession.

This project highlights how targeted removal support can make a meaningful difference for family-owned farms, helping them adapt to industry changes while preserving agricultural land, livelihoods, and farming legacies in British Columbia.

The Enhanced Replant Program is funded by the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. In February 2025, Hillberry Farms was approved to receive $55,000 in funding from ERP to renew 11 acres of cranberry fields. For a full list of approved ERP projects, visit iafbc.ca/erp/approved-projects/.