Thank you for checking out our Website! 

 

FARM HISTORY

​

In the early 1930's after immigrating to Canada, Farmer Shari's Grandparents, Otto and Ella Gabriel came to live on and purchase the 7 acre homestead property.  Otto worked off the farm and it was up to Ella to run the farm and raise their three children, Frieda, Doreen and Alfred.

​

Ella first raised chickens for market, but in the mid 1940's bought a small dairy herd and began dairy farming.  In 1949, Ella and Otto purchased the property where the Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch is currently located.  The 20 acre piece of land was farmed for feed( hay and silage) and pasture for the cows.

​

Ella milked cows until she retired in 1972. Alfred and Joyce Gabriel kept the dairy running and increased their herd size to a small but comfortable 40/50 cow milking herd. Alfred and Joyce raised 4 daughters(Cindi, Erin, Shari & Leah) on this beautiful farm.  All 4 girls (including Farmer Shari) were expected to help out daily on the farm and by twelve years old were able to drive tractors and milk cows!

​

Alf and Joyce Gabriel retired from dairy farming in 1999. The cows and quota were purchased by Erin Gabriel and her husband and they moved the dairy business to a farm in Langley.

 

Shari(Gabriel) and Chris Tompe took over Gabriel Farms Ltd. in 2001 and Planted their first Pumpkin Patch calling it the Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch for the local Hazelmere Valley where it is located in South Surrey.

​

Over the years the Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch has grown from the original 2 acre pumpkin field with wagon ride and tiny farm animal area,  to 12+ acres of amazing pumpkins and gourds, a mini corn maze, Two large farm animal interaction areas, firetruck and 40' play boat area, Tonka toy play area, tented picnic area and more.

​

Farmer Chris works hard all year and even though he did not grow up on a farm, with his mechanical, electrical and millwright experience, he is the farms greatest asset.  Truly skilled in so many areas Chris is able to design, build and fix everything on the farm.  Every year the farm looks better and it is all thanks to Chris's hard work! Thank you Chris!

​

Farmer Shari has taken her love for agriculture and young children and combined the two to create informative farm educational programs for young learners in our community.  Shari completed 3 years at UBC Studying agriculture then switched her focus to Early Childhood Education and completed her ECE in 1999.  Farmer Shari is enjoying being an Early Childhood Agriculture Educator(ECAE) and in 2021 began a Weekly Farm School program for learners aged 5 to 15 years.  Summer Farm Camps  for children age 5 to 10 years was added to our farms educational programs in 2018 and it continues to be a fun and popular addition to our farm.  

​

Our children Craig, Paige  & Otto are a big part of our Farm and it's future.

Our Oldest Craig works on the farm helping out with crop care and farm maintenance. Thanks to Craig and all his hard work, our pumpkin crops in the past few years have never been better.

 

Paige has now completed her early Childhood Education Program and is working a a teacher in our Farm Education Programs and in October it is often her smiley face that greats you as you arrive at the farm.

​

Our youngest son Otto has now graduated high school and has joined the farm full time.  Otto enjoys being a leader in our farm school and summer camp programs!

​

  We have made a few changes in our 2025 schedule and have discontinued our Spring and Summer Public farm openings. We will be focusing on our busy educational programs and growing more amazing pumpkins for our 2025 pumpkin patch season!

 

We open to the public for our pumpkin season Sept 20th 2025!

 

 Farmers Chris, Shari and kids welcome you to our farm and thank you for your support!

​

​

​

​

​

​

​