Farming For Love will feature a familiar face to many Chemainus and Duncan area residents when the reality series debuts on CTV Sunday, May 28 at 7 p.m. Pacific Time.
That’s because one of the farmers who’ll be looking for love in all the right places is Doug Groenendijk of Greendyke Farm fame on Mount Sicker Road and now Legend Dairy Farms between Crofton and Westholme.
“It was announced last year for casting,” explained Jesse Wanagas, a CTV publicist.
Groenendijk was one of the fortunate few to be selected from a long list of applicants. The show will encompass 10 weekly episodes, running until the end of July.
“It is five farmers,” said Wanagas. “The objective of the series is to follow them through their journey to hopefully find love.”
Farming For Love is an adaptation of the hit international format The Farmer Wants A Wife. There’s a Canadian French language version that’s currently in its 10th season.
Groenendijk and the four other British Columbians on the show searching for their soulmates open up their farms – and their hearts – to a select group of urban singles. As they live and work together, the daters must adjust to a new lifestyle and immerse themselves in a series of challenges, group activities and intimate one-on-one dates with the goal of finding their one true love. The series is hosted by Sabrina Jalees.
Groenendijk, a graduate of Duncan Christian School and a renowned athlete who played some pro volleyball in Europe before COVID, also gained wide acclaim recently following an article in the Courier about his egg vending machine located on Crofton Road across from Tsussie Road.
His story was picked up by several newspapers and even received attention in Eastern Canada and other parts of the world.
“Business has been very good,” said Groenendijk. “I’m getting record sales which is nice.”
Dairy farming is second nature for him, as he’s grown up in the field – literally – on his family’s 300-acre operation.
Groenendijk said being on this reality series “was a very unique experience. It’s rare you get to date multiple ladies at the same time.”
He was loving that, of course, but aiming to find one to be the love of his life.
Groenendijk said he was originally approached by one of the show’s recruiters at a trade show and decided there was no harm in applying. With hundreds of anticipated applicants, he didn’t think anything more of it until he got the word he was accepted for the show.
“I was quite shocked,” Groenendijk conceded. “Sometimes you apply for these things and you don’t expect it.”
Being single, he felt there was no harm in seeking a more unconventional way to find a mate.
Details have to be kept sketchy at this point so people must watch to find out what happens for themselves.
“Obviously, you can’t say too much, we don’t want to spoil the show,” said Wanagas.
“A lot of it was filmed on the farm,” Groenendijk indicated.
There were both on-farm and off-farm dates, with a common theme. “They’re all a bunch of fun,” said Groenendijk.
At 6’5”, athletic and handsome, his profile attracted a lot of interest from candidates for the show to date him. “I’m glad I had enough applications,” Groenendijk laughed.
His series profile states he’s looking for a wife who is smart, a travel companion and wants kids. Groenendijk is ready to start a family, but needs a partner first.
Groenendijk considers himself somewhat goofy. The range of music he enjoys includes: Morgan Wallen, Harry Styles, Coldplay, Kygo, Jake Owen and The Weeknd.
His favourite movie is Hot Rod. “It’s just a hilarious movie where I can sit back, relax and not take things too seriously,” Groenendijk confided. “Always puts a smile on my face.”
He’ll obviously be taking a personal interest in watching the series.
“I think I’ll watch with some family and friends for the first one, just a small group.
“I think it’s going to be a really good show, lots of fun activities showcasing farming and people looking for love.”
What will Groenendijk’s fate be in the end, inquiring minds want to know? “Tune in to find out,” he says.
don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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