One of the best parts of working in insurance is the unexpected ways we meet the people we end up helping.
I (Darren Peters, Lakeview Insurance Managing Partner) first met Pete Doerksen in 2024 at his nephew’s annual golf tournament. Pete had volunteered to prepare bison tomahawks for a group of about 25 golfers — and it was clear right away that he took pride in what he does. From that first meeting, Pete and I hit it off. Whether we were talking about business, farming, or risk management, our conversations were always interesting and engaging.
Pete and Rhonda, along with their son Adam and their team, run Vestfold Ranch, a well-managed and successful bison operation that also raises wild boar and farms several cultivated acres. After getting to know one another, they entrusted Lakeview Insurance with reviewing their operation and existing coverage.
During that review, we discovered a few gaps in their current policy that could have exposed their farm to significant uninsured risks. Together, we worked through those areas and added protections that better reflected the realities of their operation — including Equipment Breakdown coverage.
That decision proved to be incredibly important.
In the fall of 2025, Pete called one morning to report what his electrician believed was a power surge. The surge had impacted several key parts of their operation, including their meat shop, coolers, refrigeration trucks, and a number of machines used in their meat processing facility.
Because we had previously identified this type of risk and added Equipment Breakdown coverage, the affected equipment was covered. We advised Pete to report the refrigeration truck issues through MPI, and the remaining damaged equipment was successfully replaced through their policy.
Thanks to that coverage, Vestfold Ranch was able to gradually return to full-scale operations without facing the devastating financial burden of replacing that equipment out of pocket.
If it hadn’t been for that initial meeting — and Pete and Rhonda’s willingness to take the time to review and properly assess their risks — the situation could have resulted in a self-insured loss that would have been extremely difficult to overcome.
Throughout the claim process, the Lakeview team worked alongside Pete and Rhonda to help guide them through the steps involved. We’re also grateful to our insurer partners at Milnco Insurance and Aviva Insurance for their support and quick response in resolving the claim.
A Partnership Built on Trust
“Lakeview doesn’t just place insurance policies — they act as true advocates for their clients,” says Pete Doerksen.
“They took the time to understand our operation, our risks, and what matters most to our business. Having a brokerage that stands beside us, communicates clearly, and delivers when it counts has made a meaningful difference for Vestfold Ranch. We value the partnership we’ve built with their team.”
Support Local: Vestfold Ranch
If you’re looking for high-quality bison and wild boar products, we encourage you to connect with the team at Vestfold Ranch and support a great local operation.