Desert Hills Ranch is getting ready to open for another busy season, and this year will see the addition of a large retail outlet at the bottom of the hill where the greenhouse and stables are.
Twenty-three years later, it’s hard not to describe the ranch as a “growing” business, but the family-owned ranch has been expanding not only its acreage, but it’s also marketing its products further afield while spreading out into new areas.
Besides selling fresh produce and bedding plants to appreciative local customers, Desert Hills also exports produce and sells to grocery stores in Kamloops.
This year, expansion includes a big new retail outlet at the ranch that will include bedding plants, fresh cut flower, locally-made jams, sauces and other products, house plants, tropicals, palms, etc.
On Opening Day, Apr. 27, there will be ice cream and popcorn for the kids, and Gail Szolosi for the garlic-loving adults. Szolosi is the “Goodness of Garlic” lady from Kariboo Farms, just outside the village of Forest Grove. She will be on hand to give presentations on garlic and to hand out samples.
David Porter says the ranch is doing very well and they love the local response.
He says they’ll be introducing a new school fundraising program this year in addition to the Mother’s Day baskets. The new program will be a produce package full of fresh produce that will be sold through the local schools.
Porter says they’ll have the goat birthday again this year, as well as a special event on Mothers Day and other events throughout the year that haven’t been thought up yet.
This year, he says, the ranch will be open until Christmas Eve. There will be Christmas activities and maybe even reindeer for the children.