Margie and Elwood Kaufman purchased Dunlevy Ranch in 1962. Many repairs and improvements were needed in the early years. The Kaufman family raised 40 acres of potatoes until they made the transition into cattle in the seventies. Today, the fourth generations of Kaufmans are still tending to this fertile property, which operates both a Cow/Calf operation and a Backgrounding operation (raising additional calves from weanlings in the Fall up to 950 lbs. in late summer), caring for 1,500 head during the winter months.
In the late 1970’s, corn was introduced at Dunlevy Ranch to enhance the silage mixture that’s fed to the cattle during the winter months. Corn thrived in the Soda Creek Valley and the Kaufmans thought, “If we can grow feed corn, why not grow some sweet corn?” Since 1982 they have invited people to visit the ranch and pick Soda Creek Sweet Corn in a 15-acre U-Pick patch. Some families have been visiting for the past thirty years, spanning multiple generations of corn lovers! Getting out into a field, in all its glory (weeds, dirt, scratchy leaves), eating raw corn from the plant, and composting your husks is promoted at the U-Pick. The Kaufman’s philosophy is to share this abundance in a experiential way with their Cariboo neighbours and travelers alike.
Dunlevy Ranch has a rich history dating back to the Cariboo Gold Rush of the 1860’s. Named after Peter Dunlevy, the ranch occupies Lot 1 and Lot 2 of the Cariboo Land District and was settled in 1863 by this entrepreneurial pioneer. He owned the hotel, store, farm and ranch in Soda Creek during the boom days of the Gold Rush.
The farm was a great success and Dunlevy stayed in the Soda Creek Valley, growing much more prosperous than the risk-taking gold miners. The southern exposure, fertile valley soil, and fresh water from McLeese Lake made growing large amounts of produce possible to feed the gold mining population. The Cariboo Wagon Road bisected the ranch and Dunlevy was able to ship meat and produce as well as sell it locally in his store. It’s been said that some vegetable varieties grown by Dunlevy hadn’t been seen since the old country. Today the valley is recognized as a unique microclimate due to its geography and presentation.
Peter Dunlevy knew he found a special place in Soda Creek. We have been able to refine our sweet corn varieties over thirty years and offer a superb and consistent product that we are very proud of. Always fresh, always local, always family grown.
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